Economic News
London close: Stocks drop amid trade jitters
London stocks finished the week at their session lows as the White House's pledge to slap tariffs on imports of steel and aluminium reverberated around the world.
Uncertainty extremely high ahead of Italian elections, Oxford Economics says
It's unlikely that the upcoming Italian elections will yield a coalition of populist parties, which would unsettle both financial markets and business leaders, but neither are they likely to prove the much-needed cauldron in which an ambitious pro-reform coalition is forged, said analysts at Oxford Economics.
US consumer sentiment at second-highest level in 14 years
Consumer sentiment in the US improved in February, to its second-highest level in 14 years, according to data form the University of Michigan.
Theresa May tells Brussels the time has come to face some 'hard facts'
Theresa May discussed what she referred to as a set of "hard facts" regarding Britain's departure from the European Union while delivering her next big Brexit speech at Mansion House in London on Friday.
Buy humiliation, sell 'hubris', say strategists at BofA-Merrill Lynch
Strategists at Bank of America-Merrill Lynch on Friday laid out their case in favour of a re-test of the S&P 500's recent lows, towards 2. 534.
UK could face food shortage without trade deal with EU
Sainsbury’s chief executive Mike Coupe has warned that Brexit could lead to a food shortage in there is no trade agreement with the European Union.
White House denies national security advisor McMaster set to exit
The White House denied on Thursday night that it might replace national security advisor McMaster as early as the end of this month, in what would be the latest move in a long string of staff shake-ups and strained relations between McMaster and the president.
Yen jumps on BoJ chief Kuroda's reference to QE exit
The Bank of Japan will begin to ponder how to exit its ultra-loose monetary policy at some point next year, if justified by economic conditions, next year, Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said.
UK warns of 'serious damage' as Trump steams ahead with trade tariffs
Trading partners of the United States have reacted angrily to the White House plans to impose tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.
Construction sector remains under pressure, confidence shattered
UK construction companies reported little easing in subdued trading conditions, according to a survey released on Friday, with confidence near five-year lows and on course to record a fourth consecutive quarter of reduced output.