6 h. ago Fed starts to split on when to begin cutting US interest rates

Pressure from Donald Trump and concerns over economic growth open schism among central bank’s officials

Politics

9 h. ago Top Federal Reserve official calls for rate cuts as soon as July

Governor Chris Waller says US has yet to see an inflation ‘shock’ from Donald Trump’s tariffs

Politics

13 h. ago UK grocery watchdog investigating Amazon over alleged supplier payment delays; company insolvencies jump – business live

Groceries Code Adjudicator calls on suppliers to share their experiences of working with AmazonThe number of companies collapsing across England and Wales jumped last month, in a sign of the economic pressures hitting firms.There were 2,238 company insolvences in England and Wales during the month, which is 8% higher than in April and 15% more than in May 2024.“This latest rise in corporate insolvencies reflects the harsh reality many businesses face: fragile demand is not keeping pace with rising costs. Even the increasingly-likely prospect of rate cuts in August won’t do much to fix this – insolvency levels will remain elevated for the foreseeable future.“Sectors like hospitality are having a particularly challenging time in this environment, in no small part due to the impact on labour costs of April’s National Insurance and minimum wage increases. These businesses are now approaching what are some of their peak months and will be hoping for strong trading to bolster their resili...

Economics

33 h. ago Voices: Don’t panic, chancellor – there’s still hope for interest rate cuts

Forget homeowners with tracker mortgages or those desperate for a better deal – the person who’s hurting the most from the Bank of England’s decision not to lower interest rates is Rachel Reeves, says James Moore

Politics

37 h. ago Interest rates held at 4.25% but with three votes for a cut: What it means for your mortgage and savings

The Bank of England has held interest rates at 4.25% as it continues to tread carefully amid fears of resurgent inflation.

Politics

39 h. ago Swiss cut key interest rate by a quarter percentage point, putting its target now at 0%

Switzerland’s central bank says it has cut its target interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point, adding inflationary pressures have eased

Events

39 h. ago UK interest rates expected to remain on hold; rate cuts in Norway, Switzerland and the Philippines – business live

Central bankers warn that trade war worries, and conflict in the Middle East, could hurt growthNewsflash: We have a third interest rate cut this morning!Norway’s central bank has surprised analysts by cutting its policy rate by a quarter of one percentage point, to 4.25%. The rate had been set at 4.5% since December 2023.“Inflation has declined since the monetary policy meeting in March, and the inflation outlook for the coming year indicates lower inflation than previously expected.A cautious normalisation of the policy rate will pave the way for inflation to return to target without restricting the economy more than necessary.”“The uncertainty surrounding the economic outlook is now greater than normal. If the economy takes a different path than currently envisaged, the policy rate path may be adjusted. But our objectives stand firm. We will finish the job and ensure that inflation is brought all the way back to 2 percent.”The Monetary Board also noted indications of a deceleratio...

Politics

40 h. ago Bank of England expected to leave interest rates on hold as Middle East conflict pushes up oil price – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as Switzerland and Philippines cut interest ratesNewsflash: We have a third interest rate cut this morning!Norway’s central bank has surprised analysts by cutting its policy rate by a quarter of one percentage point, to 4.25%. The rate had been set at 4.5% since December 2023.“Inflation has declined since the monetary policy meeting in March, and the inflation outlook for the coming year indicates lower inflation than previously expected.A cautious normalisation of the policy rate will pave the way for inflation to return to target without restricting the economy more than necessary.”“The uncertainty surrounding the economic outlook is now greater than normal. If the economy takes a different path than currently envisaged, the policy rate path may be adjusted. But our objectives stand firm. We will finish the job and ensure that inflation is brought all the way back to 2 percent.”The Monetary Board also noted indications of...

Economics

41 h. ago Will interest rates be cut today? The key factors for the Bank of England and 2025 predictions

Analysts expect a split vote at the MPC’s meeting on 19 June

Politics

50 h. ago Stagflation warning as Fed resists Trump's pressure and holds interest rates

The US Federal Reserve, led by Chairman Jay Powell (pictured), left rates at a range of 4.25-4.5% as it cut its forecasts for economic growth.

Events

54 h. ago Federal Reserve holds interest rates, defying Trump’s demand to lower them

Hours before the decision, the president called the Fed’s chair, Jerome Powell, ‘stupid’ for anticipated rate holdThe US Federal Reserve kept interest rates on hold, but signaled it might make two cuts this year, as Donald Trump continues to break with precedent and demand lower rates.Policymakers at the American central bank lifted their projections for inflation this year, as the US president stands by his controversial tariff plans, and downgraded their estimates for economic growth. Continue reading...

Politics

54 h. ago Fed cuts outlook for US economy but holds interest rates steady

Central bank officials split amid concerns over higher inflation from tariffs

Politics

57 h. ago Donald Trump calls for huge rate cuts as he calls Fed’s Powell ‘stupid’

US president asks whether he can ‘appoint myself’ at the central bank hours ahead of policy decision

Politics

57 h. ago Donald Trump calls for huge rate cuts and says Fed chief is ‘stupid’

US president attacks Jay Powell and asks whether he can ‘appoint myself’ at the central bank hours ahead of policy decision

Politics

58 h. ago Bank of England ‘unlikely’ to cut interest rates as inflation pressure grows

Most economists think the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will opt to keep rates on hold when it meets on Thursday.

Economics

58 h. ago Trump calls Fed Chair Jerome Powell ‘a stupid person’ ahead of key interest rate decision

The Federal Reserve is set to keep interest rates the same despite Trump’s desire to see a rate cut

Politics

64 h. ago Will interest rates be cut tomorrow? The key factors for the Bank of England and 2025 predictions

Analysts expect a split vote at the MPC’s meeting on 19 June

Politics

7 d. ago Will interest rates be cut next week? The key factors for the Bank of England and 2025 predictions

Analysts expect a split vote at the MPC’s meeting on 19 June

Politics

8 d. ago Slump fears fuel summer interest rate cut hopes as figures show economy shrank by 0.3% in April

Experts said the setback added weight to the case for a reduction in August. Rate-setters meet next week but few think a cut will come that soon.

Politics

8 d. ago UK’s FTSE 100 share index hits record closing high despite economy shrinking in April – business live

UK economy shrank by 0.3% in April, biggest fall since October 2023, as trade with the US slumped.. but FTSE 100 ends at new record closeFull story: UK economy shrinks by 0.3% as as exports hit by Trump trade warNicholas Hyett, Investment Manager at Wealth Club, blames “a cocktail of headwinds to growth” for the 0.3% fall in UK GDP in April.Hyett says:In the very short term the change to Stamp Duty rules have put the legal and property services on ice - with legal activities down 10.2% month-on-month.New barriers to trade with the US and changes to employment costs, from a higher living wage and increased national insurance contributions, are a longer term challenge.“The 0.3% m/m fall in real GDP in April supports our view that the strength in Q1 was unsustainable. This won’t prompt the Bank of England to cut interest rates next Thursday. But it is one more piece of news pointing to another cut in August.”We still expect the Bank Rate to be maintained at 4.25% in the June meeting, t...

Economics