Economy

• Friday, April 27th 2018 - 12:36 UTC

  UK economy grows at its slowest since 2012 in Q1; pound falls to US$ 1.380

  

  The UK economy grew at its slowest rate since 2012 in the first quarter of the year, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has said. GDP growth was 0.1%, down from 0.4% in the previous quarter, driven by a sharp fall in construction output and a sluggish manufacturing sector.

• Friday, April 27th 2018 - 10:47 UTC

  Mujica supports the FTA with Chile: Piñera begins his commercial tour avoiding Uruguay

  

  While Chilean President Sebastián Piñera started a commercial tour in Brazil last Thursday, in which he avoids Uruguay because the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Chile is blocked in the Uruguayan Parliament since 2016, ex-president José Mujica explained that he supports the FTA with Chile in order to look for “the best incentives to ensure commercial stability.” The bench of former president Mujica and the communist party refuse to approve the commercial agreement.

• Friday, April 27th 2018 - 09:01 UTC

  Falklands operating budget surplus keeps increasing

  

  The Falkland Islands forecast operating budget surplus for the current financial year sits at £33m, Standing Finance Committee (SFC) was told on Wednesday. The surplus, up from the previous forecast of £27m, has been boosted by fishing company corporation tax payments, which have been “significantly higher than budget.”

• Thursday, April 26th 2018 - 09:23 UTC

  EU offers closer post-Brexit relation if UK remains in the customs union

  

  The European Union could offer Britain a closer relationship after Brexit if Prime Minister Theresa May decides to stay in the bloc’s customs union, diplomats said. EU hopes London could change its stance on what ties it wants after Brexit after Britain’s upper house of parliament challenged the government on a key bill relating to May’s plan to quit the customs union.

• Thursday, April 26th 2018 - 09:18 UTC

  EU insists in good sanitary standards for Mercosur produce, if a deal is to be reached

  

  European Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan insisted there would be “no deal” with Mercosur unless negotiators are fully satisfied strong standards will apply to all produce. It comes as another round of the negotiations on Mercosur got under way in Brussels this week.

• Thursday, April 26th 2018 - 08:46 UTC

  Trade skirmish: China halts purchases of US soybeans, gives priority to Brazil

  

  China’s purchases of U.S. soybeans have come to a grinding halt, trade and industry sources say, as fears of further action by Beijing to curb imports of U.S. crops following last week’s anti-dumping move on sorghum rattles the agriculture industry.

• Wednesday, April 25th 2018 - 09:14 UTC

  The yield for 10-year US Treasury bonds breaks 3% yield rattling markets

  

  The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield has broken through the “psychologically important” level of 3%, leaving analysts contemplating what it could mean the future of asset markets and, more importantly, the global economy. The yield on the benchmark bond — which helps to set prices for debt instruments all over the world — inched past 3% on Tuesday, a level that many market players deem dangerous for investments and the economy.

• Wednesday, April 25th 2018 - 08:50 UTC

  Paraguay soy farmers hopeful newly elected Senate will not slap levy on exports

  

  Paraguay's business-friendly ruling party lost fewer seats in Sunday's Senate election, than expected, ensuring strict fiscal policies while lessening chances of a tax hike on the key soy sector. Farmers in the world's No. 4 soybean exporter had feared that the new Senate might approves a measure, defeated last year, that would slap a 10% levy on exports.

• Wednesday, April 25th 2018 - 08:46 UTC

  Argentina central bank holds benchmark rate at 27.25%; economy expands 4.7% in first two months

  

  Argentina’s central bank held its benchmark interest rate at 27.25% on Tuesday, reiterating in a statement that high-frequency indicators suggested core inflation would remain high in April, but below March levels.

• Wednesday, April 25th 2018 - 08:25 UTC

  Lord Mayor of London visits Chile to boost financial and professional sector links

  

  The Lord Mayor of London, global ambassador for the UK’s financial and professional services industry, is visiting Chile at the head of a business delegation this week with the aim of strengthening trade links with the City of London.