Higher American interest rates are pushing up the dollar as exchange rates enter a new period of volatility. Some who have borrowed in the US currency may default, warns the International Monetary Fund.
The European Central Bank meets tomorrow to set interest rates. Strong growth and rising inflation suggest ultra-loose policy will end sooner rather than later.
First-quarter figures for global consumer giant Unilever show sales up but prices flat. Investors marked the shares down despite upbeat talk from the chief executive.
World Bank welcomes upheaval in banking landscape but urges developing countries to upgrade legal and regulatory systems. Those that rise to the challenge will benefit the most, it says.
Over-supply and a hostile climate in the west send sugar prices reeling. Sugar is now changing hands at less than 12 cents a pound, the lowest level since 2015.
Britain’s biggest motoring organisation slashes its dividend as it steps up investment. New chief executive puts boardroom turbulence of last year behind the AA.
Traders factor in rising tensions as they await the outcome of western intervention in the Middle East. Political risk adds to market uncertainty and changes the relative attractions of different asset classes.
Countries must resist urge to put up trade barriers, says IMF head Christine Lagarde ahead of next week’s Spring meeting. She also sounds the alarm over mounting levels of public debt across the world.
UK-based retail giant Tesco pays first end-year dividend in four years after 12 months of “strong progress”. Underlying operating profits rose 28.4 per cent in the year to February 24.
To an outside observer, trading in commodities can seem daunting, an activity that has its own language and customs. But with solid preparation beforehand and observance of some key principles, commodities can prove to be an engaging and rewarding line of investment.
The prospect of tougher regulation on both sides of the Atlantic has cast a cloud over the tech stocks that have powered the recent share-price boom. Investors in the FANG companies – Facebook, Amazon, Netflix and Google – may be getting nervous.
A 24-nation deal to curb crude production has supported the oil price. Now the question is whether this arrangement can last.
Shares were down across the board today, depressed by trade-war fears and second thoughts on technology stocks. Falls on Wall Street yesterday and Tokyo overnight were mirrored this morning in London.
