Economy

• Friday, February 1st 2019 - 11:10 UTC

  Brazil's fiscal deficit in December, a challenge for Bolsonaro and the new Congress

  

  The Brazilian government posted a fiscal deficit of 41.13 billion reais (US$ 11.27 billion) in December, the third widest monthly deficit on record, the central bank said on Thursday. While it was in line with forecasts and amplified by seasonal factors, the shortfall highlights the challenge of exerting tighter control over the country's finances which new President Jair Bolsonaro has said is one of his top priorities.

• Friday, February 1st 2019 - 10:20 UTC

  Guaidó invites Russia and China to change sides: “your interests will be best served”

  

  Global jostling intensified on Thursday between countries that want Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in power and those trying to force him to resign, as opposition leader Juan Guaidó made overtures to his rival’s allies Russia and China.

• Friday, February 1st 2019 - 09:59 UTC

  Brazil and China prepare for first high-level political and economic talks since 2015

  

  Brazil and China are expected to hold their first high-level political and economic talks since 2015 later this year, Brazil’s agriculture trade secretary said on Thursday, in a move likely to boost farm trade between the two countries.

• Friday, February 1st 2019 - 09:56 UTC

  Summit with Xi, “soon”, should seal “the biggest deal ever made” forecasts Trump

  

  U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday he will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping soon to try to seal a comprehensive trade deal as Trump and his top trade negotiator both cited substantial progress in two days of high-level talks.

• Friday, February 1st 2019 - 09:48 UTC

  Almost a third of UK companies moving abroad ahead of Brexit, reveals survey

  

  Almost a third of UK companies could move operations abroad because of Brexit, a survey has suggested. Research for the Institute of Directors revealed that 16% already had relocation plans while a further 13% were actively considering doing so. The IoD said it took “no pleasure” in revealing “these worrying signs”.

• Friday, February 1st 2019 - 09:44 UTC

  Falklands' official RPI reached 2.9% in 2018; complaints of “inaccurate inflation”

  

  The Falkland Islands' retail price index RPI increased by 2.9% in the 12-month period ending on December 2018, members of the Legislative Assembly were informed. The increase is broadly in line with previous quarters’ year-on-year increases.

• Thursday, January 31st 2019 - 09:57 UTC

  UK and Chile sign a new trade continuity agreement with post Brexit in mind

  

  The United Kingdom and Chile signed on Wednesday in Santiago a trade continuity agreement that will see British businesses and consumers benefitting from preferential trading arrangements with Chile after Britain leaves the European Union. Ambassador to Chile Jamie Bowden and Chilean Foreign Minister Roberto Ampuero stamped the agreement. 

• Thursday, January 31st 2019 - 09:38 UTC

  US private payrolls increased in January, but the housing market is down

  

  United States private payrolls increased solidly in January, pointing to sustained labor market strength despite a recent easing in consumer and business confidence that has suggested a loss of momentum in the economy. The strong hiring shown in the ADP National Employment Report on Wednesday also suggested there had been minimal impact on the labor market from the just-ended 35-day partial shutdown of the federal government.

• Thursday, January 31st 2019 - 09:33 UTC

  Irish backstop is “part and parcel” of the UK's Brexit deal and stands as it is

  

  The EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier says the Irish backstop is “part and parcel” of the UK's Brexit deal and will not be renegotiated. Speaking at the European Parliament, Mr Barnier said it was a “realistic solution” to preventing a hard border.

• Thursday, January 31st 2019 - 09:30 UTC

  UK car industry on “red alert”: Brexit uncertainty had done enormous damage

  

  Investment in the UK car sector almost halved last year and output tumbled as Brexit fears put firms on “red alert”, the industry's trade body said. Inward investment fell 46.5% to £588.6m last year from £1.1bn in 2017, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) says.