UK Economics: Unemployment in the UK has risen to 5%, as stated in statistics published on the 11th November, the highest levels seen since the Covid era. This, paired with wage growth rates also decreasing, is expected to lead to and boost an ongoing rally in gilt investments and ratings as expectations of lowered interest rates in the UK come begin to gain credibility. Recent updates … Continue reading News Briefing 14/11/25
UK Economics On Monday 23 September, the S&P Global flash UK Composite PMI fell to 51.0 for September (from 53.0 in August), with services slowing and manufacturing still in contraction, signalling weaker momentum into Q4. The softer survey points to slower GDP growth and eases the case for gradual BoE cuts. On Friday 26 September, 30-year gilt yields touched about 5.57%, near multi-decade highs, underscoring … Continue reading News Briefing 30/09/25
World Economics: Investors, analysts, and policymakers are watching US economic data closely at the start of September. There is mounting pressure on the Federal Reserve to cut rates after weak job growth (only 22,000 jobs added in August) and rising unemployment. The Fed’s September 16th-17th meeting is expected to result in a modest rate cut (25 basis points) which may hurt the US dollar. OECD … Continue reading News Briefing 08/09/25
World Economics: Trump’s 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium come into effect globally, with Europe and Canada announcing swift retaliation. As of Wednesday morning, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced European countermeasures, stating that the measures are “strong but proportionate,” imposing €26 billion worth of tariffs on US goods from April 1st. Canada is also set to retaliate with $20.7 billion in tariffs, … Continue reading News Briefing – 14/03/25
World Politics European leaders, along with allies like Canada and Turkey, have agreed on a plan to support Ukraine amid the ongoing war with Russia. The UK committed £1.6 billion in loans for Ukraine to purchase over 5,000 air defense missiles, as part of a broader $3.2 billion aid package. US support for Ukraine has reached a new low after US military aid for Ukraine … Continue reading News Briefing – 05/03/2025
World Economics: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has issued a warning that increased global protectionism and tariff hikes will threaten world economic growth, highlighting that if tariffs hit a ‘sizeable swath’ of world trade by mid-2025, it would wipe 0.8% from economic output in 2025 and 1.3% in 2026. IMF’s top economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas has argued that increased tariffs are ‘harming basically everyone…including the US.’ … Continue reading News Briefing – 25/02/2025
UK Economics Retail sales volumes fell by 0.7% in October 2024 within the UK, with fashion retailers being affected the most. This decline follows the 0.8% increase in sale volume observed in October 2024 – shedding light on challenges in the retail industry. According to the ONS, the UK’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) in October 2024 was at 2.3%, up from the 1.7% reported in September 2024; Rising … Continue reading News Briefing – 19/01/2025
UK economics: On 11th of January, the pound slumped to its lowest level in a year, falling to $1.2207 against the dollar, after Government borrowing costs hit their highest level since 2008. The government has been warned that borrowing costs are set to exceed targets outlined in the October budget. If the OBR predicts in its upcoming March borrowing forecast that the Chancellor’s fiscal rules … Continue reading News Briefing – 13/01/2025
UK Economics On 20 November the ONS announced that UK CPI inflation in the twelve months to October 2024 came in at 2.3%. This marks an increase from September where the rate stood at 1.7%. The ONS also announced that retail sales volumes fell by 0.7% in October, with fashion retailers particularly affected. This marks a reversal of fortunes for retailers, who had seen sales … Continue reading News Briefing – 02/12/2024
UK Economics On 12 November the Office for National Statistics announced that the UK unemployment rate rose to 4.3% in the three months to September, up from 4% last quarter. Uncertainty surrounding the recent budget, particularly the increase to employer national insurance, has been blamed by some for this rise in unemployment. Figures released on 15 November also suggest that the UK economy grew by … Continue reading News Briefing – 18/11/2024
