News And Announcements
Thames Water plans to raise bills by 56pc - reports
Thames Water has submitted a revised business plan to regulators, proposing an increase in bills of 56%, it was reported on Friday.
UK consumer confidence hits best level in two years - Deloitte
UK consumer confidence hit its highest level in two years in the first quarter of 2024 as inflation eased, according to a survey released by Deloitte on Friday.
UK retail sales stagnate in March
UK retail sales were flat in March, undershooting expectations, according to figures released on Friday by the Office for National Statistics.
Eurozone construction jumps in February
Eurozone construction sparked in February, official data showed on Thursday, up notably on the previous month.
UK house price decline eases, but rents grow at record rate
The annual fall in UK house prices eased to just 0. 2% in February, its lowest rate of decline in eight months, according to figures released on Wednesday by the Office for National Statistics, while rent inflation reached a record high.
UK inflation at lowest since September 2021, but falls less than expected
UK inflation fell to its lowest in three and a half years last month, but eased less than expected, which is likely to prompt caution from the Bank of England to get price pressures in check before cutting interest rates.
Incoming MPC member says rate cuts are "the direction of travel"
Interest rate cuts by central banks across Europe is "the direction of travel", according to the incoming deputy governor of monetary policy at the Bank of England, though the timing for monetary easing is still uncertain.
Germany investor morale strengthens in April - ZEW
Investor morale in Germany improved by more than expected this month, a closely-watched survey showed on Tuesday.
UK unemployment rate rises to 4.2%; Wages up 6%
The UK's unemployment rate rose by 4. 2%, official data revealed on Tuesday, with the number of people classed as "economically inactive" on the rise while employers started to cut back on hirings.
FCA tells motor finance firms to maintain their funding levels
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) wrote to motor finance firms on Friday, stressing that they must maintain adequate financial resources at all times.
UK GDP grows 0.1% in February
The UK economy grew a touch in February, according to figures released on Friday by the Office for National Statistics.
Rate cuts 'should be a way off' - BoE's Greene
The Bank of England’s Megan Greene has cautioned against near-term cuts to interest rates, citing ongoing inflationary pressures.
Sluggish Chinese inflation nudges higher
Inflation in China nudged marginally higher last month, official data showed on Thursday, missing forecasts.
Strong buyer demand boosts UK housing market - RICS
The UK housing market continued to strengthen last month, an industry survey showed on Thursday, as prices stabilised and buyer demand improved.
Fitch cuts China outlook to 'negative'
Fitch Ratings has cut its outlook on China to ‘negative’ on the back of the country's increasingly uncertain economic prospects.
Macquarie emerges as a lender to Thames Water parent
Australian investment bank Macquarie emerged as one of the lenders involved in Thames Water's financial struggles on Tuesday, seven years after its ownership of the utility ended.
UK retail sales growth hits eight-month high in March
The unusually early Easter holidays gave the UK retail sector a big boost in March, according to the British Retail Consortium-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor released on Tuesday.
TSMC strikes $11.6bn deal with White House to expand AZ plans
TSMC, the world's largest chipmaker, has struck an $11. 6bn deal with the United States to bolster president Joe Biden's ambitions in AI chip development, it was revealed on Monday.
UK construction sector returns to growth in March
The UK construction sector returned to growth in March, according to a survey released on Friday.
House prices fall for first time in six months - Halifax
UK house prices fell for the first time in six months in March as the drop in mortgage rates stalled, according to figures released by Halifax on Friday.