News And Announcements
High Court upholds sale of collapsed Bulb to Octopus Energy
The UK government’s decision to sell failed energy firm Bulb to Octopus Energy was upheld by the High Court on Friday, after challenges were brought by Centrica’s British Gas, E. ON, and Scottish Power.
UK Q4 GDP revised up, recession avoided
The UK economy grew a touch in the final quarter of last year, according to figures released on Friday by the Office for National Statistics, meaning a recession was avoided in the second half.
Inchcape to buy Mercedes-Benz Indonesian business with local partner
Inchcape said on Friday that it has agreed to buy Mercedes-Benz's Indonesian business with its local partner, Indomobil, for an undisclosed sum.
Eurozone inflation eases in March as energy prices fall
Eurozone inflation eased more than expected in March as energy prices fell, but underlying inflation edged up, according to a flash estimate released on Friday by Eurostat.
UK business confidence highest since May 2022 - Lloyds Bank
UK business confidence rose in March to its best level since May 2022, while pricing expectations cooled, according to the latest Lloyds Bank Business Barometer.
German retail sales register unexpected fall in February
German retail sales fell unexpectedly in February by 1. 3% in real terms compared to the previous month, according to official data released on Friday.
UK house prices fall at fastest annual pace since July 2009
UK house prices fell in March at the fastest annual pace since July 2009, according to figures released on Friday by Nationwide.
China's economic recovery continues in March
The latest official PMIs out of China on Friday indicated that the country’s economic recovery continued in March.
US fourth-quarter GDP revised down
The US economy grew a touch less than previously estimated in the fourth quarter, according to data released on Thursday by the government.
Spanish inflation nearly halves in March
Spanish inflation fell significantly in March as energy prices declined, according to data released on Thursday by the country’s National Statistics Institute.
UK private sector contracts for eighth consecutive quarter
The UK’s private sector has shrunk for the eighth time in a row, a survey showed on Thursday, as services continued to falter.
Eurozone economic sentiment deteriorates in March
Economic sentiment in the eurozone deteriorated slightly in March, according to data released on Thursday.
UK car production motors ahead
UK car production jumped last month, industry data showed on Thursday, as supply chain shortages eased and demand for electric vehicles strengthened.
US pending home sales rise for third month in a row - NAR
US pending home sales unexpectedly rose in February, growing for the third month in a row, according to data released on Wednesday by the National Association of Realtors.
UK banking sector 'resilient', says BoE
The Bank of England said on Wednesday that UK banks are "resilient and strong enough to support households and businesses", but also that there is an "urgent need" to increase resilience in market-based finance.
Mortgage approvals rise for first time since August - BoE
Mortgage approvals rose in February for the first time since last summer, official data showed on Wednesday, as the UK housing market started to shake off last autumn’s mini budget.
US consumer confidence improves a touch in March
US consumer confidence unexpectedly improved a touch in March, according to data released on Tuesday.
US house price growth eases in January
US house price growth eased in January, according to the latest S&P/Case-Shiller national home price index.
UK banks in good health despite turmoil - BoE governor
Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey has insisted that the UK banking sector remains in good health, despite being in a period of "heightened tension".
Royal Mail threatens to put postal service into administration
Royal Mail issued a threat to put its loss-making postal service into administration, it emerged on Tuesday, amid escalating talks with union chiefs.