ECB Monetary Policy Meeting
No change! EU interest rates remain unchanged at 0% – next ECB monetary policy decision on: 7th September 2017 No changes to stimulus programme. Euro rallied on this news. ECB monetary policy statement
Sunshine for UK retail sales
Latest retail sales statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) were better than expected for June, thanks to the hot weather. Sales volumes were up, lifted by clothing sales and fans no doubt. Good results for the retail industry in general.
More highs for US Indices
The S&P 500 and the NASDAQ reached record highs yesterday (19/07/17). S&P500 at 2473 & the NASDAQ at 6385 The DOW 30, S&P500 and the NASDAQ Composite are all holding at record high levels. I know we are in the middle of US reporting season and we have seen some …
Oil up!
Oil prices are up today. Brent crude is close to $49.04 a barrel and US oil price is at $46.70 (West Texas Intermediate). US oil inventory is due for release on Wednesday (19/07/17).
To bank or not to bank holiday
If this is correct – I should be annoyed really… but it just doesn’t surprise me at all! Apparently, it has been reported (allegedly) that the UK’s BREXIT secretary (create your own job if there isn’t one for you, Mr David Davis) doesn’t want to work on August bank holiday …
Credit Card Surcharges to end
Card surcharges have really bugged me for ages and the announcement today is welcome news. It has never made sense to me that you can be charged for using your card, it should be free – (other than interest that is, but that’s another issue – always clear the balance …
Is there a leak?
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) yesterday announced UK inflation figures. Just before these figures were released I was watching my screens as usual and writing my next post for Business Bob Blog and noticed the pound fall against the dollar and the FTSE 100 go up pretty much at …
US Healthcare Gridlock
The US dollar has fallen again following news that the Republicans have had to postpone repealing and replacing the affordable Healthcare Act or Obamacare as it has become known. Apparently, the Republicans no longer have enough support in their own party for a clear senate majority. This is yet another …
UK House price growth slows
Figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show house price growth has continued to slow – but the cost of the average UK home still increased. The average UK house price for May 2017 is £221,000
China Markets
China indexes made early losses but regained ground later. Some small-cap stocks fell by as much as 10% trading limit. Markets in Asia were generally down with the NIKKEI, Hong Kong Hang Seng and Australia’s ASX 200 all lower. This after the recent announcement of China’s GDP figures of 6.9%