Market Pulse - Currencies
London close: Shares caught in US dollar downdraft
Stocks finished the last trading session of 2019 lower, weighed down by another move higher in the pound and losses overnight on Wall Street as investors took profits following a year of torrid gains.
Carlos Ghosn escapes 'Japanese injustice', seeks refuge in Lebanon
Carlos Ghosn has fled Japan ahead of his trial on charges of financial misconduct during his period as renault-Nissan chairman and is seeking refuge in Lebanon.
Chinese factory sector growth steady in December, official PMI shows
China's manufacturing sector continued to expand at a steady pace at the end of 2019 with a gauge linked to new export orders revealing the first signs of growth since mid-2018.
Treasury announces boost to National Living Wage
The Treasury has announced the largest ever cash increase in the National Living Wage as the government moves to deliver on its promise to raise living standards as the UK exits the European Union.
Spain's PSOE and Podemos commit to partial roll-back of labour market reforms
Spain's Socialists (PSOE) and far-left Podemos party have unveiled the political programme that they intend to pursue if they garner the parliamentary support thay need to form a coalition government, including a roll-back of the previous government's labour market reforms, higher taxes on capital gains, and on those individuals in the highest personal income tax brackets.
US foreign trade deficit in goods drops sharply in November
America's shortfall in trade on goods with the rest of the world shrank significantly last month.
Chicago area factory activity suprises to the upside in December
A slump in factory sector activity around the Chicago area eased more than expected at the end of the year, the results of a closely-followed survey revealed.
Business optimism in UK plumbs eight-year low
Optimism among small UK businesses plumbed an eight-year low in 2019 in the fourth quarter with Brexit, political uncertainty and slow growth all taking their toll, revealed a study on Monday.
Beijing will honour trade commitments, Chinese ambassador to US says
A top Chinese diplomat said Beijing would honour its commitments under the phase one trade deal that was soon to be signed between Beijing and Washington, even as he criticised talk of a new Cold War as "very irresponsible".
Carney warns firms must cut back on fossil fuel investments
Bank of England governor Mark Carney said all companies and financial institutions must justify their investment in fossil fuels and advised firms to cut down on them as assets in the sector could end up “worthless”.
Week ahead: Global manufacturing, Fed minutes in focus
Financial markets' focus over the coming holiday-shortened week will be on global manufacturing sector conditions and the US central bank outlook for monetary policy.
Russia to broach gradual exit from output curbs in 2020, Novak says
Russia will discuss the need for an exit from current oil output curbs during the coming year, the country's energy minister said in an interview.
US new home sales slightly below forecasts in November
Figures for new home sales in the US came in a tad below forecasts in November.
US durable goods orders slump in November amid declines for defence
Orders in the US for goods made to last more than three years surprised sharply to the downside last month, amid a big drop in demand for military aircraft.
China expands list of products with reduced tariffs
Economic authorities in China unveiled tariff cuts at the start of the week in a bid to bolster domestic demand and further open up its economy.
Emails show Trump blocked aid to Ukraine after phone call with Zelenskiy
Newly-released government emails show Pentagon officials froze military aid for Ukraine 90 minutes after a controversial phone call last July between the US President, Donald Trump, and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
London pre-open: Stocks set to track gains on Wall Street
Stocks in London are seen starting the Christmas week slightly higher following another record-breaking session on Wall Street and more good news around international trade.
Heathrow's third runway to be delayed 12 months
Heathrow airport has said that the construction of its third runway will be delayed for at least 12 months after the Civil Aviation Authority denied its requests to quadruple spending.
Week ahead: US data, global manufacturing in focus
A raft of economic data will be released over the coming week, despite the Christmas holidays, particularly Stateside.
US personal incomes jump in November
Americans' income picked up far more sharply than expected last month, driving a rebound in disposable incomes and spending.