Market Pulse - Currencies
Sturgeon vows to 'restart' Scottish independence
Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon has said she intends to "restart" the debate on Scottish independence over the next few weeks.
Iran nuclear deal at risk as EU support 'not sufficient'
The EU must work harder to preserve its oil trade with Iran following the United States' withdrawal from 2015 international nuclear pact, Iran’s foreign minister told the EU’s energy chief on Sunday.
Tories and bookmakers prepare in case of early election
Theresa May has received mixed support for her compromise Brexit custom plans, with some Tory MPs preparing for a general election later this year but foreign minister Boris Johnson backing the Prime Minister.
CBI chief to urge government and businesses to tackle 'Brexit logjam'
CBI president Paul Drechsler will use his last major speech in the role to call for an end to Brexit uncertainty to allow for businesses and the government to mend poor productivity and regional inequality.
US and China agree framework to reduce trade tensions
The US administration set aside its threat of tariffs on Chinese goods for the moment, following two days of negotiations with Beijing, after China proposed a "significant increase" in its purchases of US-made goods.
Sector movers: Stocks dance to US dollar's tune
Bond proxies such as Personal Goods (Unilever) or interest rate sensitive stocks (Construction, CRH) fared best at the end of the week, amid weakness in the pound and a sharp drop in longer-term Gilt yields.
Trump warns Kim Jong-Un to strike a deal or suffer the same fate as Gaddafi
US President Donald Trump contradicted his national security adviser John Bolton and said the 'Libya model' for denuclearisation is not the way forward with North Korea, but said it was a possibility if both countries don’t strike a deal in the near future.
FX round-up: Pound finds slight bid even as US dollar grinds higher
The pound edged higher on Thursday on the back of reports that the UK was preparing its own backstop deal to guard against the risk of delays in the Brexit negotiations that might see the country simply crash out.
Oil reaches $80 mark for the first time since 2014
A warning from the head of France's Total that it will stop development of a key Iranian gas field has pushed oil prices back above $80 a barrel for the first time since 2014.
US Philly Fed index rockets in May, hiring strengthens
Perhaps the most closely-followed lead indicator for factory sector activity in the States jumped past forecasts in May as new orders rocketed.
FX round-up: Sterling dips, 'bloodbath' in Turkish lira
It was back to square one for Sterling on Tuesday - or nearly - as stronger-than-expected readings on US retail sales and on a key factor sector survey in the States boosted Treasury note yields.
Quim Torra elected as new Catalan President
Quim Torra has been elected as the new president of the Generalitat de Catalunya following a second round of voting at midday on Monday, after failing on Saturday to garner the absolute majority (70 votes) needed to be chosen in a first vote.
Mark Mobius 'definitely' interested in North Korean investment opportunities
Veteran emerging markets bull Mark Mobius said on Monday that he would "definitely" be interested in investing in North Korea, calling the opportunity presented by recent talks between the isolated nation and its southern neighbour a "beautiful combination".
Mohamad ousts incumbent party in shock Malaysian election result
Malaysian opposition party Pakatan Harapan upset the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition in the Asian nation's general election last week, ousting the party that had run the country for the past six decades.
Market buzz: Severn Trent down and ITV up as analysts opine
1226: The FTSE 100 is being held down by a stronger pound, down very slightly just past midday. Mike van Dulken, head of research at Accendo Markets, notes that the pound is helping miners while healthcare is under pressure ahead of a President Trump speech on the matter.
BoE cuts near-term forecasts, points to hike towards turn of year
Policymakers at the Bank of England opted to keep Bank Rate on hold on Thursday, sticking to their forecasts for a moderate pace of economic expansion over the medium-term, while pointing to current market pricing for another hike in Bank Rate around the turn of the year - although there were two dissenters.
FX round-up: Pound lower as Bank of England delivers unexpected 'dovish hold'
Sterling weakened after the Monetary Policy Committee surprised economists who were expecting a 'hawkish hold' on policy, by cutting its forecasts for near-term growth in the UK economy and for inflation.
Middle East tensions increase after Israel attacks Iranian targets in Syria
Tensions in the Middle East heightened overnight Thursday as Israel launched air strikes against Iranian targets inside Syria in retaliation for a rocket attack on the Golan Heights it pinned on Iran.
MPs get vote on single market after government's Lords defeat
The British government suffered four more Brexit defeats from the upper house of parliament overnight, including a voted against leaving the European Union’s single market after the divorce date.
Oil trims losses amid mixed reports on White House's Iran intentions
Crude oil futures slumped, but then reversed course, amid conflicting reports about whether the US would pull out from the multilateral deal on Iran's nuclear programme.