Economy

• Thursday, April 19th 2018 - 18:08 UTC

  UK inflation in March falls to 2.5%, lowest rate in twelve months

  

  UK consumer price inflation fell in March to 2.5%, the lowest rate in a year, according to the Office for National Statistics. It fell from 2.7% in February after prices for women's clothing rose at a slower pace than last year. The data appears to show that the squeeze on UK households may be coming to an end as wages rise.

• Wednesday, April 18th 2018 - 18:19 UTC

  IMF warning on global debt and financial stability: US and China targeted

  

  The International Monetary Fund says that high global debt is a concern. In a new report, the IMF says governments should use the current strong economic growth to strengthen their finances. The organization also says that risks to global financial stability have increased.

• Wednesday, April 18th 2018 - 08:51 UTC

  NAFTA round of negotiations expected to resume this week

  

  The ministers leading the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) could meet again on Thursday in Washington as they push for quick progress, Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo advanced. Guajardo said he had spoken to Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland on Monday and would talk to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to see about agreeing a trilateral meeting in Washington on Thursday.

• Wednesday, April 18th 2018 - 08:38 UTC

  Chinese economy expands at an annual rate of 6.8% in the first quarter, says Beijing

  

  China's economy grew at an annual pace of 6.8% in the first quarter compared to the same period last year, according to official data, beating forecasts for the period. The growth figures for January to March were also above Beijing's 2018 annual growth target of “around 6.5%”

• Wednesday, April 18th 2018 - 08:32 UTC

  China opens its car manufacturing and market to foreign ownership

  

  China will allow full foreign ownership of car firms by 2022 in a move that could open up the world's biggest car market. The plans will change rules that require global carmakers to work through state-owned partners. The US says this forces them to share technology with potential competitors.

• Wednesday, April 18th 2018 - 07:56 UTC

  IMF semi-annual report warns of choppy waters ahead: protectionism and trade wars

  

  While the world economy continues to show broad-based momentum, a new report released on Tuesday by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is warning that there may be choppy seas ahead, caused by increasing protectionism or tit-for-tat trade wars.

• Tuesday, April 17th 2018 - 08:14 UTC

  Argentina's inflation hard to beat: “inflation has to fall a lot in May”

  

  Argentina’s central bank would raise interest rates if inflation does not fall “a lot” beginning in May to a level consistent with its 2018 target for a 15% rise in consumer prices, central bank Governor Federico Sturzenegger said on Monday.

• Tuesday, April 17th 2018 - 07:54 UTC

  Pound in strong sustained run against the US dollar

  

  The pound has continued its recent strong run against the dollar pushing firmly above US$ 1.43. It is the seventh session in a row that the pound has made gains against the US currency. The strong run means that, among the G10 group of rich nations, the UK has the best-performing currency this year.

• Monday, April 16th 2018 - 08:07 UTC

  Poll shows a majority in UK want a “people's vote” on final Brexit deal

  

  The majority of people in the UK want a “people’s vote” on the final Brexit deal, according to a new survey in which some 52% of respondents expressed support for the idea.The survey, conducted by pollster Opinium Research for pro-EU campaign group Open Britain, saw 31% of respondents say they were opposed to a “people’s vote”, while 17% said they didn’t know or had no opinion.

• Monday, April 16th 2018 - 07:50 UTC

  Theresa May looks to boost trade and forge new links with the Commonwealth

  

  British Prime Minister Theresa May will call on the Commonwealth on Monday to boost trade and forge new links, launching a summit of the 53 nations which have become increasingly important to Britain as it leaves the European Union.