Daily Market Updates
House prices and demand growth boost markets
The good news for the US economy came from the house price figures, showing not just rising demand but rising prices. New single-family homes rose 2.9%
US manufacturing activity slows hitting dollar
Still-reasonable Markit PMI numbers slightly hit the dollar earlier. The closely-watched US manufacturing numbers came in at 53.0
No need to fill up – US banks pass ‘stress test’
Some relief for US banks: the US central bank claims the 34 largest domestic players have passed ‘stress tests’ –
US healthcare bill revealed, major tax cuts for businesses
US Senate Republicans finally reveal their draft of a healthcare bill that would unwind much of the Affordable Care Act also called Obamacare.
Could Wal-Mart beat Amazon to Whole Foods?
US stocks were up slightly at 4pm today with a 1.77% climb from UnitedHealth Group helping taking the Dow to 21,450.47, up 0.19%. There was also a 1.27% gain for Johnson & Johnson.
Mixed messages from Bank of England unsettles sterling
A lack of communication at the Bank of England yesterday: chief economist Andy Haldane came out in favour of a rate rise within 24 hours
Bad news: oil prices veer into bear market territory
It's a case of bad news bears for oil prices. US data showing crude oil stockpiles were lower than expected
Pound jumps on Queen’s Speech but surge short-lived
Sterling rose to $1.2711 as the Queen’s speech got underway in Westminster. But the gains were dashed
Sterling slips to post-election lows
A difficult Queen’s speech today with little idea of how effective a hung Parliament will be.