Fidelity Top Stories
ECB raises rates by 50bp, flags March hike
The European Central Bank went ahead and hiked interest rates by 50 basis points on Thursday as was widely expected.
Weekly US jobless claims slip lower again
Unemployment claims in the US continued to run below forecasts over the preceding week, defying expectations for a post-Christmas rebound.
Shell 'obscene' record $40bn profit fuels call for higher windfall tax
Oil and gas giant Shell on Thursday posted record annual profits of almost $40bn on the back of surging gas prices driven by Russia's war with Ukraine, prompting demands from UK politicians for further windfall taxes on energy producers amid the cost-of-living crisis.
Fed raises rates by 25bp, says more hikes anticipated
The US central bank raised the range for its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 4. 5-4. 75% and said it foresaw further hikes.
US hiring slows in January impacted by extreme weather, ADP says
Hiring in the US private sector slowed significantly at the start of 2023, the results of a survey revealed.
US job openings jump in December
Labour demand in the States remained high at the end of 2022, a very closely followed survey showed.
OPEC+ keeps crude oil output quotas steady
The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its main producer allies decided to keep their production quotas steady.
Weak Europe trade hits Vodafone Q3 revenue
Telecoms giant Vodafone said revenues fell in the third quarter as the economic slowdown hit trading in Continental Europe and offset a good performance in the UK.
Halma buys Thermocable for £22m
Safety technology company Halma said it had bought Thermocable for its safety sector fire detection unit, Apollo Fire Detectors, for £22m on a cash and debt-free basis.
Tiny missing Rio Tinto 'needle in haystack' capsule found in Western Australia
A miniscule radioactive capsule lost by Australian miner Rio Tinto has been recovered in the remote Western Australian outback, officials said on Wednesday.