Economic News
South African Reserve Bank pauses interest rates ahead of debt rating decision
South Africa's central bank opted to leave interest rates on hold on Thursday, but the country is still facing several hurdles on Friday when several key ratings agencies are set to choose whether to downgrade the country's debt.
Canadian retail sales held back by declines in vehicles and clothing
Recently collated data from Statistics Canada revealed a significantly lower than expected rise in Canadian retail sales in September, as gains from higher gasoline prices were offset by declines in sales of vehicles and clothing.
Belgian business confidence rises above forecasts in November
Business confidence in Belgium rose more than expected in November, led by a sharp improvement in sentiment in busines-related services and construction.
Friday preview: UK lending, German Ifo, Fuller's results, Next enters Black Friday
Friday offers a relatively peaceful end to the week in the financial calendar, with UK mortgage numbers, Germany's Ifo business climate survey and US PMI surveys to sate macro fans, results from Fuller Smith & Turner and Future, while those with some early Christmas shopping may be more focused on Black Friday.
Higher exports fuel bounce in UK car production
UK car production bounced back last month thanks to an increase in exports, the industry’s trade association revealed on Thursday.
Treasury announces plans to sell RBS shares
According to Budget documents released this week, Chancellor Philip Hammond is preparing to reprivatise the Royal Bank of Scotland by selling £15bn worth of shares the government picked up when bailing out the lender nearly a decade ago.
Iranian authorities give jailed British aid worker December court date
Iran informed jailed Iranian-British aid worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe on Thursday that she would be appearing in front of a court in December to face accusations of spreading propaganda.
Several ECB rate-setters push to de-link forward guidance from QE, minutes show
European Central Bank rate-setters believe their so-called 'forward guidance' has helped to anchor interest rate expectations within the bloc, the minutes of their last deliberations reveal, but several also pushed for more flexibility to allow for a quicker end to their asset purchases.
Hammond defends stamp duty cut for first-time buyers
Philip Hammond has defended his decision to cut stamp duty for first-time buyers after the government’s fiscal watchdog said the main beneficiaries would be existing homeowners.
'Immediate action' required to stabilise Zimbabwe's economy - IMF
The International Monetary Fund has warned of the consequences of the Zimbabwean government not taking action to combat the country’s economic crisis.
UK retail sales bounce back in November - CBI
Retails sales in the UK picked up in November after a big dip last month, according to the latest survey from the Confederation of British industry.
ONS confirms weak UK economic growth in third quarter
Britain was confirmed as the slowest growing G7 economy this year as gross domestic product figures were confirmed for the third quarter.
Eurozone manufacturing and services PMIs fly higher in November
A new six-year year high for eurozone manufacturing and services sentiment pushed the single currency higher on Thursday morning, as the strengthening 'Euroboom' put the UK's low growth firmly in the shade.
Many on FOMC believe low inflation may also reflect persistent factors, minutes show
Central bankers in the States are pretty much set on raising their benchmark interest rate again when they meet again on 12-13 December, but the pace at which they will continue to do so in 2018 is less clear, the minutes of their policy meeting have revealed.
Millennial money worries push consumer confidence to two-year low
Financial worries among 'millennials' has pushed UK consumer confidence to a two-and-a-half-year low, according to new research.