Fidelity Top Stories
Spain's stance hardens as final deadline for Catalonia approaches
The Spanish government does not appear to be wavering in its ultimatum to Catalan separatists, as Mariano Rajoy’s Thursday deadline for clarification on the independence issue draws near.
Xi hails 'new era' for China at opening of Communist Party congress
Chinese president Xi Jinping opened the Communist Party Congress with a three-hour speech on Wednesday in which he pledged to lead the country into a "new era", lowering trade barriers and deepening financial sector reforms.
UK wages continue to lag inflation, putting ball in Bank of England court
UK wage growth continues to lag behind inflation, official figures showed on Wednesday, though shifts in the level of employment mean the Bank of England's decision on whether to raise rates in November is "on a knife edge", some economists feel.
Carney and new MPC colleagues throw doubt on interest rate hikes
Two new members of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee cast some doubt on the likelihood of an increase in interest rates in November, though Governor Mark Carney said a hike "may be appropriate" and many economists remained confident of a hike.
House prices continues to limp higher - ONS, Land Registry show
UK house prices are continuing to increase modestly, according to official figures, but growth is expected to remain weak in the final few months of the year and in 2018.
UK inflation surges to five-year high but BoE eyeing wages
UK inflation reached a five-year high last month, increasing pressure on household budgets and the Bank of England to raise rates.
Big four supermarkets relying on inflation for growth - Nielsen, Kantar find
Major supermarket groups Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda and Morrisons continued to both grow sales and lose ground to discounters, with Aldi and Lidl contributing the entire grocery market's volume growth in recent weeks.
Puigdemont defies Madrid deadline for clarification in Catalonia dispute
Catalan president Carles Puigdemont has ignored an ultimatum from Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy to formally clarify whether he has declared independence for the region.
UK house prices up 1.1% in October - Rightmove
House prices in England and Wales rose 1. 1% in October - or £3,432 - following a 1. 2% decline in September, according to the latest data from Rightmove.
US consumer price inflation disappoints
US headline inflation increased less than expected last month but core prices jumped well above forecasts, according to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday.
China trade data shows economy still expanding, commodities stocks lifted
China's exports and imports continue to strengthened, trade data showed overnight, giving a boost to commodities stocks around the globe.
Ryanair to take Lufthansa-Air Berlin deal to EU court
Irish budget airline Ryanair is planning to challenge Lufthansa’s deal to buy part of another German carrier, Air Berlin.
Bitcoin soars to all-time high despite claims of a bubble
Bitcoin soared past the $5,000 threshold on Thursday to hit a record high, having started 2017 at $966.
UK housing market varying widely by region - RICS
The latest survey from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors showed the UK housing market continued to lack momentum in September as demand from new buyers and sales fell again and the shift in interest rate expectations contributed caution in a slowing market.
Lloyds Bank to buy Zurich's UK workplace pensions and savings business
Lloyds Banking Group has agreed to buy Zurich Insurance's UK workplace pensions and savings business, which has assets under administration of £19bn, for an undisclosed sum.
Brexit talks hit 'deadlock' over divorce bill, EU's Barnier says
The European Union's chief Brexit negotiator says talks with Britain have reached "deadlock" over the divorce bill but "decisive progress" could be made by Christmas.
Deutsche Banks lifts Spain stocks to 'overweight', spies lower 'break-up' risk
On a related note, analysts at Deutsche Bank raised their recommendation on Spanish stocks from an 'underweight' to an 'overweight' as - in their opinion - the tail risks of a break-up of the country had faded.
UK lenders see sharp tightening of consumer credit in coming months
UK consumer credit growth is slowing and lenders expect the biggest decline in consumer credit availability since the financial crisis in the last three months of the year, a Bank of England survey revealed on Thursday.
Hard Irish border inevitable post-Brexit, MPs told
A post-Brexit hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is unavoidable if the UK leaves the customs union, a senior economist has told MPs.
Trump to visit UK on 'working visit' in early 2018
Donald Trump was said to be planning a stripped-down trip to the UK in early 2018 as diplomats discussed the idea of the president embarking on a "working visit" to Britain as opposed to the standard red carpet affair.