News And Announcements
SNB sets rates at 0.25pc in fifth consecutive cut
Switzerland’s central bank reduced its policy interest rate by 25 basis points to 0. 25% on Thursday, marking its fifth consecutive cut since March 2024.
UK unemployment rate steady, wage growth remains 'relatively strong'
The UK unemployment rate was unchanged in January, while wage growth slowed slightly but remained "relatively strong", according to figures released on Thursday by the Office for National Statistics.
Demand for bigger homes driving house price growth - Halifax
Demand for larger homes is driving house price growth across the UK, industry data published on Thursday suggested.
UK consumer sentiment stabilises, but outlook still uncertain
UK consumer sentiment improved slightly in March, according to a new survey out from the British Retail Consortium on Thursday, bouncing back after a record-low reading in February.
Southern Water seeking debt relief from some creditors - reports
Southern Water is seeking debt relief from some of its creditors, it was reported on Wednesday, as its owner Macquarie Asset Management injected fresh capital into the struggling UK utility.
Bank of Japan keeps key policy rate at 0.5%
The Bank of Japan maintained its key policy rate steady at 0. 5% on Wednesday, as expected.
VR headsets and yoga mats added to inflation basket
Exercise mats, pre-cooked pulled pork and VR headsets have all been added to the basket of goods used to calculate inflation, the Office for National Statistics confirmed on Tuesday.
Gold hits fresh high as global tensions mount
Gold prices hit fresh highs on Tuesday on the back of mounting geopolitical tensions, including renewed hostilities in the Middle East and the prospect of a global trade war.
OECD cuts global growth forecasts on trade war risks
Global economic expansion is expected to slow over 2025 and 2026 as policy uncertainty hits investment and household consumption, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which cut its growth outlook on Monday.
UK consumers more pessimistic as job insecurity persists
UK consumers grew a little more pessimistic about their finances in March as job insecurity persisted, according to a survey released on Monday.
House prices rise in March; decade-high choice to benefit Spring buyers
The average price of a home coming to market rose in March in line with the long-term average increase for that month, as many new sellers priced sensibly amid decade-high competition to sell, according to Rightmove.
Gold prices top $3,000 as macro, geopolitical fears hit risk appetite
Gold prices topped the $3,000 mark for the first time in history on Friday as investors continue to seek safe havens amid fears about the global economy and the uncertain geopolitical environment.
UK economy unexpectedly shrinks in January
The UK economy unexpectedly shrank in January, according to figures released on Friday by the Office for National Statistics.
Eurozone industrial production rebounds in January
Eurozone industrial production surprised on the upside in January, official data showed on Thursday, supported by expansion in Germany, the bloc’s biggest economy.
UK house market loses momentum despite price rises
The UK housing market slowed in February, industry research suggested on Thursday, as mounting uncertainty started to weigh on demand.
EU hits back as Trump's global steel tariffs take effect
Donald Trump’s trade war escalated on Wednesday, after worldwide tariffs on steel and aluminium imports to the US came into effect.
Citi downgrades US equities, upgrades China
Citi downgraded its stance on US equities on Tuesday to ‘neutral’ from ‘overweight’ as it made changes to equities and credit in its global asset allocation, in line with its view "that US exceptionalism is at least pausing".
Car finance lenders told to brace for redress scheme
The financial regulator is considering introducing an industry-wide redress scheme for customers left out of pocket by historic car finance mis-selling, it confirmed on Tuesday.
UK retail sales growth slows as rising costs loom
Retail sales growth slowed again in February as poor fashion sales weighed down non-food spend, according to data out on Tuesday from the British Retail Consortium and KPMG.
UK companies still pausing on hiring due to 'subdued' market - survey
UK companies are still pausing hiring plan due to a "subdued" economic outlook and rising payroll costs, according to a survey published on Monday.