Economic News
Forties North Sea oil pipeline back on-line after second breakdown
The North Sea’s Forties pipeline system that carries 40% of crude oil has begun flowing again after a short halt, the second in two months.
Cryptocurrency exchange goes dark for 12 hours
Binance, One of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges, has caused panic amongst users by suspending trading and withdrawals for a 12-hour period.
Friday preview: Industrial production, construction and trade in focus
Friday should be quite quiet after recent events, with Victrex the biggest name expected to provide a trading update ahead of UK industrial production numbers later in the morning.
MPs can be sacked with new tougher sexual harassment sanctions
MPs who have bullied or sexually harassed their co-workers and staff will face stricter new sanctions for their actions and could be suspended.
Carney's letter to Chancellor: inflation will be above target for three years
Bank of England Governor Mark Carney has written to Chancellor Philip Hammond to say inflation will remain elevated for several years and that while UK economic growth is likely to grow faster than he expected this year, Brexit could still throw a major spanner in the works.
BoE increases economic forecasts, signals tougher stance on rate rises
The Bank of England has increased its forecasts for economic growth and signalled that interest rates may rise sooner than it had indicated.
US initial jobless claims unexpectedly decline
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell last week, according to data from the Labor Department.
White House secretly offered Iran prisoner negotiations
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the Trump administration covertly communicated with Iran in an attempt to negotiate prisoner releases from both sides.
UK fund sales hit record £63bn in 2017, investors return to stocks
Investors in Britain put a record-breaking amount of money to work in 2017.
George Soros donates £400,000 to 'Remain' campaign
The campaign group Best for Britain that is fighting to keep the UK in the European Union has received £400,000 from billionaire George Soros through one of his foundations.
Yuan falls by most in two years after January trade data
China's currency slumped overnight after hitting a two-year high the day before, following the release of weaker than expected foreign trade data, which some investors believe may goad Beijing nearer to loosening capital controls as a means of offsetting recent strength in the yuan.
Tate & Lyle on track for 2018 guidance
Tate & Lyle said on Thursday that it remains on track to deliver full-year adjusted pre-tax profit at constant currency in line with guidance.
UK housing market sees soft start to year - RICS
The UK housing market kicked off the new year much as it ended the last, with new buyer enquiries and sales drifting lower, according to the latest survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.