Market Pulse - Currencies
Euro area CPI jumps in May on the back of energy price gains
A big jump in energy costs drove consumer prices in the Eurozone sharply higher last month.
China prepares to retaliate against surprise US tariffs
China lashed out against the surprise statement from the White House overnight on Tuesday saying it will go ahead with tariffs and restrictions on Chinese imports and block investments in sensitive technologies.
Analysts wary of reports of 11th hour deal on Italian government
Parties from across Italy's political spectrum are reportedly attempting to thrash out an 11th hour agreement on forming an interim government.
Market buzz: Italy eyes July/August elections, Dixons profits slump 'fixable'
1700:Close Some investors took profits - albeit moderately - in stocks, even as others headed for the relative safety of Gilts in the wake of the latest political news out of Italy.
FX round-up: Sterling fails to follow US dollar higher
Sterling failed to benefit from the downdraft in Europe's single currency amid news that Brussels was weighing toughening its stance in the ongoing Brexit talks.
Podemos to propose second vote of no confidence against Rajoy if PSOE fails
Podemos’s leader Pablo Iglesias said on Tuesday that his party is ready to table a second vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy should rival PSOE fail in its aim to unseat him.
Italy's stock market dives on prospect of new elections
Italy's main stockmarket gauge, the FTSE Mibtel, has fallen into the red for the year, amid concerns that the country is headed towards fresh elections, which some observers believe might turn into a 'de facto' referendum on the country's membership of the euro.
North Korean aides sent to Singapore in diplomatic flurry ahead of summit
Kim Jong Un sent diplomats to Singapore and the US ahead of the historic summit with President Donald Trump scheduled for 12 June.
Brussels Brexit negotiations break down over Irish border, satellites
European Union officials have warned that current UK Brexit negotiation tactics are preventing any chance of progress in the talks, sending the pound back down to levels last seen in December.
Market buzz: Reports say US-N.Korea summit called off
1609: Markets are in 'risk-off' mode following the announcement from the White House, with the 10-year US Treasury note yield down by four basis points at 2. 96%.
Market buzz: Pound plunges further on weak CPI, Barclays mulling mergers?
1635: Close Lots of moving pieces, too many perhaps. US dollar strength was the 'name of the game' on Wednesday, as the US President sounded a downbeat note overnight on the prospects for the China trade talks and the upcoming (but perhaps not) summit with North Korea.
Brexit minister admits UK will have to pay £39bn divorce bill before trade deal is agreed
Brexit minister Suella Braverman was forced to admit to lawmakers that the UK is legally bound to pay the £39bn divorce bill even if it doesn’t manage to secure a trade deal with the European Union.
Turkish central bank executes emergency rate hike to stem lira weakness
Turkey's central bank has hiked interest rates following an emergency meeting by rate-setters in Ankara.
Sector movers: Miners, Oil & Gas shares pace losses as US dollar jumps
Mining and Oil & Gas shares were at the bottom of the pile on Wednesday, after US President Donald Trump poured cold water on hopes for a fast solution to trade frictions between China and the US.
Trump warns US-North Korean summit could be delayed
The US president warned that the summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un set for 12 June in Singapore could be delayed.
China cuts car import duties as it seeks deal to save ZTE
China said it would cut import duty on passenger cars in an apparent concession to the Trump administration as it seeks a deal to save ZTE from US sanctions.
FX round-up: Pound dips on chatter about early elections, new Scottish referendum
Early gains in the US dollar on the back of a putative deal on trade between China and the US at the weekend had petered out by late in the session.
Russian 'dirty money' puts UK security at risk, report warns
A committee of MPs are calling for a clampdown of Russian money laundering through the City of London’s financial institutions, arguing that it could potentially put national security at risk.
Maduro re-elected for second term In Venezuela amid complaints of voting irregularities
Nicolás Maduro has been re-elected to a second six-year term in office as President of crisis-ridden Venezuela.
France's finance minister warns fiscal slippage in Italy could undermine euro
France's finance minister fired a shot across the bow of the Italy's anti-establishment parties, warning of the threat that some of their campaign promises could undermine the stability of the entire single currency area.