Fidelity Top Stories
UK confirms coronavirus jobs package to be scaled back by Oct
The UK government confirmed it was scaling back its coronavirus job retention scheme with businesses having to meet 20% of their wage bill for furloughed workers by October.
Sinovac researchers 99% sure Covid-19 vaccine will be 'effective'
Scientists at Chinese biotechnology form Sinovac are 99% sure that their Covid-19 vaccine candidate will be effective.
US consumer confidence steady in May, but outlook clouded by Covid-19
Consumer confidence in the US steadied in May but uncertainty about the future course of the pandemic continued to cloud the outlook as did expectations for a sharp rise in prices, the results of one of the most closely-followed surveys revealed.
US personal consumption crashes in April, savings rocket
Personal incomes in the US shot higher last month as government transfers to contain the fallout from the pandemic kicked-in.
London mayor calls on govt to retain free travel for children
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has resumed his war of words with the government over the conditions attached to London's £1. 6bn transport system bailout.
Initial results of study into Oxford's Covid-19 vaccine imminent, AstraZeneca chief says
Some members of the Oxford University research team trying to develop a vaccine against the novel corona virus are already privy to initial results for early-stage human trials and their publication is imminent, AstraZeneca's chief said.
US firings continue at torrid pace, but hiring picks up
Firings in the US continued at a furious pace during the past week, albeit at a moderately slower pace, and hirings picked up.
Nissan to close Spain plant, axe 2,800 jobs as profits plunge
Nissan said it was closing its Barcelona factory with the loss of 2,800 jobs as the Japanese carmaker reported its first net loss in 11 years.
Travel firms slam UK govt plans for Covid quarantine
More than 75 travel industry firms have called on the UK government to scrap plans to force visitors to forcibly quarantine visitors on arrival.
Quarter of UK firms will struggle under Covid wage scheme changes - IoD
A quarter of businesses using the UK government's coronavirus Job Retention Scheme said they would struggle to contribute to furloughed workers’ salaries from August, according to the Institute of Directors (IoD).
EU set to propose 750bn euro reconstruction fund
Brussels will propose a €750bn reconstruction fund on Wednesday evening financed through jointly-issued debt, the majority of which will be disbursed as grants.
France Q2 GDP could fall by 20%, says stats agency
France’s economy could contract by 20% in the second quarter as it felt the impact of lockdown measures taken to stop the spread of the coronavirus, the INSEE official statistics agency said on Wednesday.
Global energy investment to plunge by $400bn - IEA
Global energy investment was set to plunge by a record $400bn this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, threatening the security of future supply and moves to cleaner alternatives, the International Energy Agency said on Wednesday.
Italian research claims 96% of Covid-19 victims suffered pre-existing illnesses
Research into Covid-19 infections in Italy found that 96% of fatalities suffered from pre-existing medical conditions.
Britvic defers decision on dividend on Covid-19 concerns
Drinks maker Britvic deferred its interim dividend as it weighed the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, which it said was still hitting profits at around £12m - £18m a month.
Hong Kong leader claims new security law will not hurt freedoms
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said on Tuesday that Beijing’s proposed national security law for the city will not hurt citizens' freedoms.
NASA and SpaceX confirm first astronaut launch
NASA and SpaceX confirmed on Tuesday that they are readying their first astronaut launch since the beginning of their Commercial Crew program in 2010.
Sanofi to sell stake in Covid-19 treatment maker Regeneron
Sanofi will sell its stake in US-based maker of Covid-19 treatments Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.
UK govt unveils full list of shops allowed to re-open in Covid easing
The British government on Tuesday revealed the full list of retailers that can reopen under new coronavirus lockdown easing guidelines, with fashion and betting shops set to open doors on June 15.
Oxford University's push for Covid-19 vaccine may stumble due to drop in infections
Oxford University's attempts to develop a vaccine against the novel coronavirus could run into an apparently unexpected hurdle, the head of its research team said.