Good morning and welcome to Money Minute, where we preview the day's biggest financial stories.
In the UK today, we get full-year earnings from oil major BP, software group Micro Focus International, and property group St Modwen. We also get a trading update from electronics distributor Electrocomponents, whose chief executive had to take a medical leave of absence in November.
What with a weak oil price and concerns over the value of shale assets, BP investors will be primed for disappointment. They’ll also be looking for news on the company’s renewables investments, given the sense that the days of fossil fuels are numbered.
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In the US, President Donald Trump gives the annual State of the Union address. Trump is likely to make the case for his re-election in November this year. He is not expected to raise the matter of his potential impeachment.
Over in China later, we'll get the most recent survey of services sector activity for January. However, this data won’t cover the point at which measures to contain the coronavirus outbreak were escalated, so the survey needs to be taken with a pinch of salt.
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Rents rise at slowest pace for four years – is buy-to-let still worth it?Slowing rental growth and higher property taxes are creating a headache for landlords. Does buy-to-let still offer a good yield?
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Should you bag a bargain with a half-price investment trust?Twenty-six investment trusts look cheap by historic standards, with some trading at a discount of more than 50%. Are they a bargain or value trap?
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Trapped in a time of zombie governmentIt’s not just companies that are eking out an existence, says Max King. The state is in the twilight zone too.
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America is in deep denial over debtThe downgrade in America’s credit rating was much criticised by the US government, says Alex Rankine. But was it a long time coming?
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Bank of England raises interest rates to 5.25%The Bank has hiked rates from 5% to 5.25%, marking the 14th increase in a row. We explain what it means for savers and homeowners - and whether more rate rises are on the horizon
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UK inflation remains at 8.7% ‒ what it means for your moneyInflation was unmoved at 8.7% in the 12 months to May. What does this ‘sticky’ rate of inflation mean for your money?
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VICE bankruptcy: how did it happen?Was the VICE bankruptcy inevitable? We look into how the once multibillion-dollar came crashing down.
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Would a food price cap actually work?Analysis The government is discussing plans to cap the prices of essentials. But could this intervention do more harm than good?
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UK inflation slides to 8.7% - what does it mean for your money?News Inflation has dropped below 10% for the first time in months, but with food prices at a 45-year high, is this good news and what does it mean for your money?
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Why the UK equity market is shrinkingAnalysis The crisis has been building for 25 years, says Max King, and it will take decades to reverse the trend.
