News And Announcements
Over 100 people arrested in Extinction Rebellion protests in London
Climate change protests by Extinction Rebellion demonstrators in central London resulted in over 100 arrests.
UK labour market remains strong in face of Brexit uncertainty
Levels of employment in Britain increased 179,000 to a record high in the three months to February, official data confirmed on Tuesday, but economists see ongoing headwinds for households and businesses.
German business expectations improve in April - ZEW
Sentiment about the outlook for German business improved more than expected in April but "remains greatly subdued", according to the latest survey from the ZEW Center for European Economic Research in Mannheim.
Catalent to buy gene therapy company Paragon Bioservices for $1.2bn
New Jersey-based drug developer Catalent Inc has agreed to buy privately-held gene therapy company Paragon Bioservices for $1. 2bn in cash.
UK dividends rise to record high in first quarter of 2019
Dividend income paid to UK shareholders jumped to a record high in the first quarter of 2019, with shares yielding an average of 4. 6%.
Empire State manufacturing index rises in April but growth still subdued
Business conditions in the New York region improved more than expected in April but growth remained "fairly subdued", according to a survey released by the New York Fed on Monday.
Half of UK firms plan investment cuts amid Brexit delay - survey
UK finance chiefs' perceptions of economic and financial deterioration are at the highest levels since the 2016 Brexit referendum, revealed the latest CFO quarterly survey by Deloitte.
High street footfall rebounds after fifteen-month decline
Shopper numbers last month increased strongly compared to last year, though the difference was mostly put down to the vastly different weather.
House prices rise in April; Brexit delay expected to boost sales - Rightmove
House prices rose in April, with the Brexit delay expected to provide a boost into the spring and summer months, according to the latest survey by Rightmove.
US consumer sentiment deteriorates in April
US consumer sentiment unexpectedly deteriorated in April as the previous boost from tax cuts evaporated, according to a preliminary reading from the University of Michigan.
China exports surge past expectations in March, imports slump
Chinese exports surged past expectations in March but imports slumped amid the ongoing trade dispute between the US and China, according to data released on Friday.
US jobless claims fall to near 50-year low
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell last week, to a near 50-year low, according to data from the Labor Department.
UK middle class households struggling to maintain economic status
Middle-class households around the world, but also in the UK, are struggling to maintain their economic status and lifestyles as stagnating incomes fail to keep up with the rising cost of housing and education, warned the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development in their latest report.
Government to allow Times and Sunday Times resource pooling
UK culture secretary Jeremy Wright said on Thursday that he will allow The Times and The Sunday Times to pool their journalistic resources on the condition that its owners clarify their governance structure.
Ofgem to bring in tougher supplier tests after string of energy firm failures
Companies applying for a licence to supply energy will need to undergo stricter tests from June, it was revealed on Thursday, as Ofgem attempted to address the string of energy supplier failures in recent years.
Starbucks to launch £1m fund to boost paper cup recycling
Starbucks and environmental charity Hubbub have launched on Thursday a £1m fund to help improve paper cup recycling facilities across the UK.
Brexit concerns continue to weigh on Britain's housing market
The average level of stock on estate agents' books plumbed a close to record low in March, yet prices continued to decline modestly even as new inquiries fell for an eighth consecutive month on the back of mounting concerns around Brexit, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Record number of UK stores shut down in 2018
Britain's top high streets lost a record 2,481 shops last year with an average of 16 closures per day.
UK foreign trade deficit widens substantially in February
Britain's shortfall on trade with the rest of the world widened in February as import growth picked up more quickly than that of exports.
UK economy grows 0.2% in February, beats expectations
The UK economy grew more than expected in February despite Brexit uncertainty, with manufacturing and industrial production figures also a beat, according to data released on Wednesday.