News And Announcements
US private sector unexpectedly sheds jobs in December
Private sector employment in the US unexpectedly fell in December as the Covid-19 crisis took its toll on the leisure and hospitality sector, according to the latest figures from the ADP.
Top CEO pay to outstrip workers' annual earnings today
Top bosses will be paid more in the first three days of 2021 than the average UK worker earns all year, according to research.
UK services drop as Covid-19 restrictions bite
UK services activity dropped in December and margins came under pressure from rising costs and discounted prices, a survey showed.
Eurozone business activity contracts more than thought in December
Business activity in the eurozone contracted more than initially estimated in December 2020 as the Covid-19 pandemic took its toll, according to a survey released on Wednesday.
New car registrations drop to lowest level in almost thirty years in 2020
New car registrations in the UK dropped to the lowest level seen in almost three decades in 2020 as the sector witnessed the biggest one-year fall since the Second World War.
China services growth slows in December
China's services sector grew at the slowest pace for three months in December as new orders weakened amid Covid-19 outbreaks at home and abroad.
British shoppers spend record £11.7bn on groceries in December
December was the busiest month ever for British supermarkets as tightening restrictions and the closure of restaurants, bars and cafes meant shoppers spent £11. 7bn on groceries, according to market research firm Kantar.
UK govt unveils new £4.6bn Covid relief package after latest lockdown
The UK government has unveiled a new £4. 6bn package of Covid-19 relief measures to help businesses get through the latest national lockdown announced on Monday night.
UK economy shrank by close to 11% in 2020, says Deutsche Bank
The UK economy likely shrank by close to 11% in 2020, according to Deutsche Bank, marking the worst annual contraction in three centuries.
Johnson to set out English lockdown as Covid-19 infections soar
Boris Johnson is preparing to announce an English lockdown on Monday evening to try to stem rapidly rising Covid-19 infection rates.
UK post-Xmas shopper numbers fall 23% on tighter Covid curbs
Total shopper numbers across British retail destinations fell 23. 3% in the week to January 2 versus the previous week, as the government tightened Covid-19 restrictions in response to the rising number of cases, according to data released on Monday.
Mortgages surge in stamp duty holiday rush - BoE
Mortgage approvals hit their highest level since before the financial crisis in November as buyers rushed to arrange finance during the Chancellor's stamp duty holiday, a Bank of England survey showed.
Brexit stockpiling sends UK factory activity to three-year high
UK manufacturing activity hit a three-year high in December as factories rushed to finish work before the deadline for Brexit trade talks, a survey showed.
Eurozone manufacturing PMI ends 2020 on strong note
Activity in the eurozone manufacturing sector hit its highest level in December last year since May 2018, according to a survey released on Monday.
China's factories expand at slowest pace for three months
China's manufacturing industry expanded at its slowest pace in three months in December as rising costs put pressure on hiring of workers.