The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has today elected to cut interest rates by one quarter of a percentage point to 4.5% in a bid to bolster growth. The move, which was widely expected, comes as the global economy slows and unemployment rises (currently at 5.2%). It was the first time in two-and-a-half years that [...]
There is further evidence of a slowdown in the world’s largest economy after retail sales stagnated last month. Sales were flat from the month earlier after July’s figure was revised down to 0.3% from 0.5%. August’s figure was also worse than expected after car sales fell and excluding this item, sales rose just 0.1%. However, [...]
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 National Statistical Coordination Board has revealed the Philippine economy grew at an annual rate of 3.4% in the second quarter – slowing from an annual growth of 4.6% in the previous quarter. The expansion was less than the 4.4% expected by economists. Compared with the previous three months, the economy, which is South East [...]
Official figures have revealed a rise in consumer spending in the US for the month of July – boosted by an increase in car sales. According to the Commerce Department, sales rose by 0.8% in July compared with the previous month – the largest rise in five months and much better than the 0.5% gain [...]
According to the finance ministry, India’s economy expanded by 7.7% in the April to June period – much slower than the 8.8% growth in the same period a year earlier. It was the weakest growth in six quarters and was attributed to a slowdown in construction activity. Construction saw an increase of just 1.2% during [...]
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed the UK economy grew by 0.2% in the April to June period – unchanged from a previous estimate published last month. A third and final estimate will be available next month. However, growth for the second quarter slowed from the 0.5% growth posted in the first quarter. [...]
Manufacturing activity in China eased further 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 50.7 last month from June’s reading of 50.9. Secondly, the HSBC China Manufacturing PMI also suggested activity is slowing with the index falling [...]
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. [...]
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 [...]
Manufacturing activity in the 17-member euro zone fell in May, figures showed today. The Markit Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) posted a reading of 54.6 in May, from April’s level of 58. However, the index continues to remain above the crucial 50 level which indicates expansion. The slowdown was attributed to the nation’s weaker economies, which [...]
Discount clothing retailer, Primark, has today warned of a slowdown in consumer spending, as Britons prepare to cut back amid rising unemployment and higher inflation. According to Primark’s parent group, Associated British Foods (ABF), “a noticeable slowing down of UK consumer demand” is evident despite strong trading in the first three months of the financial [...]
The John Lewis Partnership, which is regarded as a barometer of British retailing, today reported a further fall in weekly sales. The renowned employee-owned chain said department store sales fell 0.4% to £51.24 million in the week to 19 February – it represented the fifth consecutive week of slow sales following the VAT hike on [...]
The John Lewis Partnership, which is regarded as a barometer of British retailing, today reported a further fall in weekly sales. The renowned employee-owned chain said department store sales grew 1.4% to £49.8 million in the week to 12 February – it represented the fourth consecutive week of slow sales following the VAT hike on [...]
There is further evidence today of a slowdown in consumer spending after the John Lewis Partnership, which is regarded as a barometer of British retailing, reported a further fall in weekly sales. The renowned employee-owned department store said department store sales fell 2.2% to £50.1 million in the week to 22 January. In the week [...]
South Korea‘s economy, which is Asia’s fourth-largest, saw growth slow to 0.5% in the October to December period. Last year, the economy expanded strongly – boosted by exports and increasing consumption and facilities investment. However, retail spending and manufacturing and construction slowed, which was attributed to the slowdown. The Bank of Korea were optimistic about [...]
According to economists, the Bank of England is widely expected to keep interest rates on hold this month. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) commences its two-day meeting today and interest rates are expected to be kept at the historic low of 0.5% – where they have been for almost two years. In addition, analysts expect [...]
Economists have today warned that the big freeze could hit the UK economy, impacting negatively on growth. In particular, retailers have been badly affected this weekend by a lack of shoppers, who opted to stay home due to the snow and ice. This weekend should have been the busiest of the year for retailers but [...]
Falling temperatures led to a slowdown in retail sales in November, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) revealed today. According to the BRC, values were just 0.7% higher compared with November 2009 as consumers are cautious about the uncertainty surrounding the economy and are fearful of spending cuts and rising taxes. The cold weather and snowfall [...]
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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