The Facebook cryptocurrency, Libra, and its connected digital wallet, Calibra, will launch in 2020.
Europe’s single currency is 20 years old this year but its value against the dollar is close to recent low points. Suggestions that Italy could leave the euro have increased the pressure on the exchange rate.
A rise in the gold price may be caused in part by renewed central-bank interest in bullion as a monetary asset. More than 40% of official gold sales in the years 1967-2008 have been reversed.
The WIG20 Warsaw stock index lists many of the big names in the European Union’s seventh largest economy. But its performance this year has been patchy and it is well below its high point in 2007.
London shares were higher this morning but sterling lost ground as the fight to replace Theresa May as leader of the governing Conservative Party shifted up a gear.
Cryptocurrencies have rallied this year after a truly dire 2018, but remain vulnerable to reverses of fortune. Despite lost ground in recent days, Bitcoin and others remain stronger than they were a month ago.
Oil traders face a dilemma in that there are equally good reasons for thinking the price will rise or fall. But the OPEC cartel is taking a positive view, although warning of downside risks.
China’s currency valuation has long been a sore point in Washington. The yuan has dipped again recently, to its lowest value since December last year, bringing further US criticism. Are economists correct to speculate that this may well be currency manipulation to counter President Trump’s tariff war with Beijing?
The gold price has been remarkably steady since 2014, with only a brief burst of volatility in the middle of that period. But inflation is low, and geopolitical tensions seem containable; so what is holding up the value of gold?
Share prices toast a surprise win for Australia’s centre-right coalition. But critics say the climate is the big loser from the Labor Party’s defeat.
Stock markets have brushed off the disastrous result for the ruling Conservative Party in European Parliamentary elections, but sterling was lower across the board. Attention now shifts to the question of who will succeed Prime Minister Theresa May by winning the leadership contest.
From Iran and Venezuela to Russia and the United Arab Emirates, potential supply problems crowd the oil market. Yet prices have, so far, remained calm and energy officials have praised all who have helped stabilise the position.
As the US and China square up for an escalating trade dispute, gold should have benefitted as a safe-haven asset. This hasn’t really happened yet, but the price may be on the turn.
Spanish blue-chip shares have recovered from the slump since the start of the year but still lag in comparison to their performance 12 months ago. This is despite the current good health of the economy and a recent election victory for the moderate socialist party increasing the government’s political security.
As Britain counts down to European Parliament elections on 23 May, the pound and share prices began the week in resilient form. But with clouds gathering over the governing Conservative Party, this could change rapidly.
