Good morning and welcome to Money Minute, where we preview the day's biggest financial stories.
In the UK this morning, we get full-year results from pharma giant AstraZeneca, and also from Britain’s state-owned bank, RBS.
Over in the eurozone, we get fourth-quarter GDP data for Germany and also for the eurozone as a whole. Economic output is expected to have risen at an anaemic rate in Germany last year.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Indeed, research consultancy Capital Economics reckons that German GDP probably shrunk a little during the fourth quarter. If that happens, then it’s quite possible that Germany could slip into recession during the first three months of this year, particularly if the coronavirus has a larger global impact than currently feared.
In the US, we get retail sales data for January. The US consumer is one of the most important economic forces in the world. Investors will be hoping that the retail sales data will demonstrate that American shoppers are still keen to splash the cash, whatever else is going on in the world.
-
House prices are falling in London but how does it compare to the rest of the UK?Advice The capital remains the most expensive part of the UK to buy a property, but it isn’t being as badly hit by the housing market slump. Where are London house prices heading?
-
Will a Santa Rally provide festive cheer for investors this year?
News Equities often get a seasonal boost during December - will there be a Santa Rally in 2023?
-
UK wages grow at a record pace
The latest UK wages data will add pressure on the BoE to push interest rates even higher.
-
Trapped in a time of zombie government
It’s not just companies that are eking out an existence, says Max King. The state is in the twilight zone too.
-
America is in deep denial over debt
The downgrade in America’s credit rating was much criticised by the US government, says Alex Rankine. But was it a long time coming?
-
UK economy avoids stagnation with surprise growth
Gross domestic product increased by 0.2% in the second quarter and by 0.5% in June
-
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
-
UK wage growth hits a record high
Stubborn inflation fuels wage growth, hitting a 20-year record high. But unemployment jumps
-
UK inflation remains at 8.7% ‒ what it means for your money
Inflation was unmoved at 8.7% in the 12 months to May. What does this ‘sticky’ rate of inflation mean for your money?
-
VICE bankruptcy: how did it happen?
Was the VICE bankruptcy inevitable? We look into how the once multibillion-dollar came crashing down.
