Official figures from the Office for National Statistics show a 0.2 per cent in UK manufacturing output in September, the first increase in four months. Compared with a year ago, factory output in September grew 2 per cent. However the figure excludes oil and gas, and mining, and when these sectors are taken into account, [...]
The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS)/Markit manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) has today revealed UK manufacturing activity bounced back last month. The closely-watched CIPS/Markit manufacturing PMI rose to 51.1 in September from August’s reading of 49.4. Activity has contracted for the last three months and today’s survey means the index has moved back [...]
Statistics office Destatis has today revealed German exports and imports fell in July – more than expected. According to Destatis, exports fell by 1.8% in July on a monthly basis compared with a 1.2% drop in June. Economists had forecast a 0.1% fall for the month. The sharp fall in exports will be of grave [...]
Growth in the UK’s closely-watched service sector slowed in August, figures have revealed today. The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS)/Markit purchasing managers’ index (PMI) slowed at the fastest pace in over a decade to 51.1 in August from July’s reading of 55.4. The fall represented the second largest on record and was much [...]
Manufacturing activity in China grew for the first time in four months in August, two separate surveys have revealed. Firstly, the official China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing (CFLP) said its purchasing managers’ index (PMI) edged higher to 50.9 last month from July’s reading of 50.7. The index remains just above the crucial 50 level, [...]
The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS)/Markit purchasing managers’ index (PMI) has today revealed growth in the UK construction industry weakened in August. The PMI dipped to 52.6 in August from July’s reading of 53.5 – however, the figure was in line with expectations. Furthermore, the index remains above the crucial 50 mark, which [...]
The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS)/Markit manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) has today revealed UK manufacturing activity contracted at the fastest pace in more than two years in August. The closely-watched CIPS/Markit manufacturing PMI fell to 49.0 last month from an upwardly revised 49.4 in July. The latest figure means the index remains [...]
UK pay settlement levels are stable, according to the latest analysis from employment research specialist, Incomes Data Services (IDS). The average settlement for the three months to the end of July stood at 2.5%, having remained constant since January, and with pay settlements in manufacturing continuing to lead the way, typically at 2.9%. In addition, [...]
A survey from BDO, published today, has revealed a fall in business confidence, while a separate survey has revealed employers plan to axe jobs in the third quarter. According to the Business Trends optimism index from accountants BDO, business confidence fell to 95.1 in July from 95.6 the previous month – the lowest level for [...]
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has today revealed UK factory output fell by 0.4% in June after rising by 1.8% in May. The reading surprised economists who had expected a 0.2% rise. Meanwhile, the ONS said out of 13 categories in manufacturing, five increased and eight fell with the biggest falls in transport equipment, [...]
Growth in the UK’s closely-watched service sector grew at the strongest pace in 4 months in July, figures have revealed today. The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS)/Markit purchasing managers’ index (PMI) surged to 55.4 last month from June’s reading of 53.9. The rise was unexpected after analysts had expected the index to fall [...]
The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS)/Markit manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) has today revealed UK manufacturing contracted in July – the first time since the UK was in recession two years ago. The closely-watched CIPS/Markit manufacturing PMI fell to 49.1 last month from a revised 51.4 in June. The index is now below [...]
South Korea, which is Asia’s fourth largest economy, has experienced growth of 3.4% in the second quarter on an annual basis, down from 4.2% in the previous quarter, according to official data today. Meanwhile, quarter-on-quarter growth was 0.8%, down from 1.3% as exports slowed and manufacturing weakened. “Private consumption steadily increased and facilities investment rose. [...]
Official figures today revealed New Zealand’s economy surged in the January to March period despite the devastating earthquake which hit Christchurch, the country’s second largest city, on 22 February. The economy grew by 0.8% in the three month period – the fastest pace for over a year, according to Statistics New Zealand. The figure was [...]
A quarterly survey by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) revealed that the UK economy was “fragile”. The BCC’s survey for the three months to the end of June showed a slow recovery and estimates that the economy grew by 0.3% in the period – slower than the 0.5% growth in the first quarter. Commenting [...]
Growth in the UK’s closely-watched service sector rose slightly last month, figures have revealed today. The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS)/Markit purchasing managers’ index (PMI) edged higher to 53.9 in June from May’s three-month low of 53.8. The result confounded analysts’ expectations of a fall to 53.5. The index continues to remain above [...]
Manufacturing activity in the 17-member euro zone fell in June to an 18-month low, figures showed today. The Markit Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) posted a reading of 52.0 in June from May’s reading of 54.6. However, the index continues to remain above the crucial 50 level which indicates expansion. The slowdown was attributed to the [...]
The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS)/Markit manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) has today revealed UK manufacturing grew at its slowest rate in almost two years in June. The closely-watched CIPS/Markit manufacturing PMI dived to a 21-month low of 51.3 last month from May’s reading of 52. June’s reading was slightly lower than the [...]
Manufacturing activity in China eased last month, two separate surveys have revealed today. Firstly, the official China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing (CFLP) said its purchasing managers index (PMI) fell to 50.9 in June from May’s reading of 52 – the lowest level since February 2009. The reading was also lower than expectations of a [...]
M&S Money launches 3% cash ISA
M&S Money has launched an Advantage Cash ISA paying 3 per cent, and which allows transfers in from other ISAs. It can be opened with a minimum deposit of £100 lump sum followed by minimum monthly deposits of £25. The 3% rate is variable, but there is no short-term bonus so the return won’t plummet [...]
Google suspends UK Compare Mortgages site
Google has closed its UK mortgage comparison site which it launched in July last year, after it proved to be less popular than expected. Mortgage comparison sites are designed to allow visitors to compare mortgages quickly and easily without having to visit each lender’s individual site. Google was competing with several well-established comparison sites, including [...]
AA launches ‘black-box’ policy for young drivers
The AA is launching an innovative car insurance policy called Drivesafe which could help younger drivers save up to £850 a year. Younger drivers already pay substantially higher premiums than other motorists and these costs are increasing. A new study by Confused.com suggests insurance costs for younger driver have gone up by 5.7 per cent [...]
ATOL scheme updated to protect online bookers
ATOL, a financial protection scheme managed by the Civil Aviation Authority, is being extended to protect up to six million more holidays a year. The scheme ensures that holiday makers do not lose out financially if a travel company collapses, and that they are not stranded abroad. An increase in the number of holidays booked [...]
Home repossessions lowest for four years
The number of UK homes repossessed fell to 36,200 in 2011, significantly below the Council of Mortgage Lenders’ forecast of 40,000, and lower than 2010 when 37,100 homes were repossessed. With interest rates remaining low and lenders adopting a sympathetic attitude to customers in financial difficulty, repossessions fell to their lowest level since 2007. However, [...]
Monthly pay lasting just 17 days
Workers are running out of money just 17 days after receiving their monthly pay, according to new research by the Halifax bank. This means that the average UK worker spends half the month worrying about money. The study, based on the responses of more than 2,000 adults, found that 10 per cent of workers start [...]
Women disadvantaged by auto-enrolment changes
Government proposals to increase the auto-enrolment threshold to £10,000 could put 1.8 million women at risk of missing out on a pension, the TUC has warned. Under the auto-enrolment scheme, which will be phased in from October, private sector employers will automatically enrol workers between the age of 22 years and the state pension age, [...]
Emergency household repairs company Homeserve is taking longer than expected to get back on track after its operations were suspended last October. The company expected customer numbers to fall by 5% this year but it has increased this estimate to 8% and announced the loss of 200 jobs. It estimates that renewal revenue in 2013 [...]
Sale rumoured for Yorkshire and Clydesdale banks
There is growing speculation that National Australia Bank (NAB) may sell Yorkshire Bank and Clydesdale Bank after the Australian parent company announced a strategic review of the two banks’ operations. The Australian economy is performing well and NAB reported strong profits for the final quarter of 2011 but with the UK economy at a virtual [...]
More women experiencing debt difficulties
Women in Debt, which offers female-focused debt advice, has warned that the number of UK women facing serious debt has grown significantly over recent years. The organisation believes that more women will need advice on solving debt problems in the future because they are building up an unsustainable level of indebtedness. Women in Debt’s director, [...]
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