Fidelity Top Stories
Johnson slapped down by May over demand for extra NHS cash
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson was slapped down hard by Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday after he overstepped his brief, publicly demanding more cash for the struggling National Health Service (NHS).
BofA-ML raises year-end 2018 target for S&P 500
Strategists at Bank of America-Merrill Lynch revised their year-end target for the S&P 500 higher, telling clients that the "great rotation out of bonds into stocks" had yet to materialise, predicting corporations would use their tax windfall on slashing debt and M&A, as well as on share buy-backs and investment.
CBI reveals upbeat manufacturing data
The UK’s manufacturing sector performed strongly in the last quarter, according to the latest data from the CBI.
Bank of Japan leaves monetary policy unchanged, tweaks outlook
The Bank of Japan continued to keep monetary policy steady today, after it voted 8 – 1 to keep its short-term interest rate unchanged at -0. 1%, but noted that inflation expectations had remained steady, which initially saw the country's currency gain.
Senate reaches temporary agreement over budget
A bipartisan group of negotiators has reached across the aisle to finalise an agreement to reopen the US federal government almost 60 hours after it first shut down.
British economy strong enough to survive Brexit, says former Goldman Sachs economist
The UK was likely to fair better than many forecasts had suggested, with the benefits of global growth in the next few years said to "easily dwarf" any blows as result of it leaving the EU, according to former Goldman Sachs economist Jim O'Neill.
US government shutdown stretches into third day
Up to 800,000 federal workers were told to stay at home on Monday as the government shutdown dragged into a third day after the White House and Congress failed to reach an agreement on reforming the country's immigration laws.
BofA-ML forecasts peak oil demand for 2030
Rapid adoption of electric vehicles will see global demand for oil peak by 2030, analysts at Bank of America-Merrill Lynch forecast.
SPD delegates vote to start formal talks on 'grand coalition'
Delegates from Germany's Socialist SPD party voted on Sunday to pursue formal coalition talks with the centre-right CDU/CSU parties led by Chancellor Angela Merkel.
SPD leader warns another German election would cause party further harm
Martin Schulz, the head of Germany's Social Democratic Party, urged members of his party to endorse coalition talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel and her Christian Democratic Union in order to avoid another national election that could cause the party further damage.
Senate showdown looms to avert federal government shutdown
All eyes are on Capitol Hill and whether Senators from both sides of the aisle will manage to avert a federal government shutdown amid a looming bust-up over immigration.
Macron says UK must pay for access to single market after Brexit
French President Emmanuel Macron said Britain would not gain access to EU markets, including lucrative financial services, unless it paid for them.
UK retail sales tank in December, dragging 2017 to four-year low
Official UK retail sales sank sharply last month in the worst December performance for seven years as households continued to feel the real income squeeze.
May, Macron hold talks as UK pledges £44m on Calais security
French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in the UK for a summit with Prime Minister Theresa May on Thursday as Britain announced an extra £44. 5m to increase Channel border security.
AB Foods confident despite sugar slump staining Primark gains
Associated British Foods reported a 3% increase in revenues in recent weeks, as strong growth from its Primark clothing retail arm was held back by a worse than expected decline in sugar.
China fourth quarter GDP growth beats forecasts, but some economists sceptical
China's economy grew more quickly than expected in 2017, according to both official and private sector estimates, but some economists believed the official figures belied the extent of the slowdown in the fourth quarter.
Eurozone inflation remains subdued to keep ECB on toes
Eurozone inflation was confirmed at the subdued level of 1. 4% last month, keeping the issue at the forefront of the European Central Bank's thoughts.
Mueller issues Steve Bannon with grand jury subpoena - report
US Present Donald Trump's former chief strategist Steve Bannon was on Tuesday reportedly subpoenaed by special counsel Robert Mueller to testify in front a grand jury as part of his ongoing investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election.
CPI dips to suggest UK inflation may have peaked
UK inflation retreated slightly last month, reducing pressure on the Bank of England over interest rates.
Norway concerns over trade deal hit UK Brexit hopes
UK hopes of smooth talks on Brexit were dealt a blow on Tuesday as it emerged that the EU would make tougher demands on the terms of transition and Norway warned it would take a dim view of Britain getting a special trade deal.