Market Pulse - Currencies
Official China factory PMI hits record low in February
Manufacturing sector conditions in the People's Republic of China fell at their most rapid pace ever in February, the results of a closely-followed survey revealed.
US consumer sentiment 'quite high' despite coronavirus, University of Michigan says
Consumer confidence in the States edged up in February to within a whisker of its previous high for the current economic cycle, despite signs that the coronavirus was beginning to register on Americans' list of concerns.
Coronavirus slows manufacturing delivery times 'significantly' in February, Chicago PMI shows
The slowdown in manufacturing sector activity in the Chicago area eased by much more than expected in February, the results of a closely-followed survey showed, despite signs that the coronavirus was lengthening delivery times substantially.
US personal spending undershoots forecasts slightly, inflation falls short
Americans' spending on consumption was a tad lower than expected at the start of 2020 despite a jump in personal earnings.
Plus500 trades 'substantially ahead' of Q4
Online services provider Plus500 said on Friday that it had experienced heightened trading volumes across global financial markets recently.
UK government publishes strategy for post-Brexit trade talks
The UK government unveiled its strategy for post-Brexit trade negotiations with the European Union which were scheduled to begin during the following week, holding out the possibility of a no-deal exit if sufficient progress had not been achieved by June.
BofA slashes forecast for 2020 euro area growth
Economists at BoFA Securities slashed their forecast for economic growth in the single currency bloc in 2020 on the back of the impact of the Chinese coronavirus.
Brussels eyeing up LSE's $27bn Refinitiv acquisition - report
Shares in the London Stock Exchange came under pressure on Wednesday, after fears emerged that its multi-billion pound takeover of Refinitiv could be subject to a longer-than-expected probe by regulators.
IFS urges Chancellor to raise taxes to fund excess budget spending
The Institute of Fiscal Studies said there needs to be a tax hike if the Chancellor wants to go ahead with excessive budget spending or he could risk breaking borrowing rules.
Bonds: Gilts gain amid safe-haven flows after CDC tells US to prepare for outbreak
These were the movements in some of the most closely-followed 10-year sovereign bond yields:.
Business wants maximum access to EU markets - survey
The UK government should seek maximum access to EU markets when it sets out its position for trade talks, a survey of business leaders said.
US house prices bound past forecasts in December
US house price gains picked up more strongly than expected at the end of 2019.
US open: Heavy losses on the Street, Buffett could go Republican
US stocks recorded some heavy losses at the open as the number of Wuhan coronavirus cases accelerated outside of China.
Switzerland blocked funds sent by son of former Spanish ambassador to Venezuela
Switzerland blocked the transfer of funds by the son of one of Spain's former ambassadors to Venezuela due to authorities' inability to trace the legal origin of the funds.
US business output registers first drop since 2013 amid coronavirus impact
US business activity registered an outright drop in February for the second time since the global financial crisis, survey data revealed.
US existing home sales miss forecasts in February
Existing home sales dipped at the start of 2020, dragged lower by softer activity in the West, but prices gained as inventories remained at their lowest level since 1999.
UK public sector borrowing exceeds forecasts in January
The public sector borrowing was in surplus at the start of 2020 as is usual due to the timing of tax receipts for personal income and capital gains taxes.
Manufacturing supports UK output but coronavirus disrupts
Manufacturing production grew at its strongest pace for 10 months in February to keep the economy expanding at a steady pace but businesses reported disruption from the coronavirus, a benchmark survey showed.
Dialog Semiconductor swoops in for US rival Adesto Technologies
Reading-based Dialog Semiconductor will acquire US rival Adesto Technologies in an all cash transaction in order to accelerate its expansion into the market for the so-called 'Internet of Things'.
FX round-up: Sterling dips amid reports of virus cases in South Korea and North Korea
Sterling extended the previous day's losses despite a better-than-expected reading for monthly UK retail sales, against a backdrop of US dollar strength as investors sought out safe havens.