1 hour ago US GDP report to show if economy expanded in last quarter, after eurozone growth accelerates – business live

First estimate of US GDP for Q1 2025 will show whether tariffs hurt growthUK house prices fall but market ‘likely to pick up’ during summerChina manufacturing activity plummets amid Trump tariff warFrance’s economy is likely to “flirt with stagnation” throughout the year, despite the small rebound in GDP in the last quarter, predicts Dutch bank ING.Charlotte de Montpellier, ING’s senior economist for France and Switzerland, explains:The additional customs duties in the US and their direct and indirect impact will delay the French economy’s rebound. We estimate that the direct effect of a permanent 10% import duty in the US on French GDP (via a reduction in exports) will be around -0.1%.Adding to this are the effects of uncertainty, the global economic slowdown and more restrictive fiscal policy, all of which will weigh on French economic activity throughout the year. The cooling in the labour market is likely to limit the recovery in household consumption, and the savings rate is se...

Economics

5 h. ago France and Germany avoid recession as eurozone growth accelerates; Taiwan’s GDP boosted by pre

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, including growth figures from across EuropeUK house prices fall but market ‘likely to pick up’ during summerChina manufacturing activity plummets amid Trump tariff warFrance’s economy is likely to “flirt with stagnation” throughout the year, despite the small rebound in GDP in the last quarter, predicts Dutch bank ING.Charlotte de Montpellier, ING’s senior economist for France and Switzerland, explains:The additional customs duties in the US and their direct and indirect impact will delay the French economy’s rebound. We estimate that the direct effect of a permanent 10% import duty in the US on French GDP (via a reduction in exports) will be around -0.1%.Adding to this are the effects of uncertainty, the global economic slowdown and more restrictive fiscal policy, all of which will weigh on French economic activity throughout the year. The cooling in the labour market is likely to limit the recovery in household consumptio...

Politics

6 h. ago France and Germany avoid recession as economies return to growth; UK house prices drop – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, including growth figures from across EuropeUK house prices fall but market ‘likely to pick up’ during summerChina manufacturing activity plummets amid Trump tariff warFrance’s economy is likely to “flirt with stagnation” throughout the year, despite the small rebound in GDP in the last quarter, predicts Dutch bank ING.Charlotte de Montpellier, ING’s senior economist for France and Switzerland, explains:The additional customs duties in the US and their direct and indirect impact will delay the French economy’s rebound. We estimate that the direct effect of a permanent 10% import duty in the US on French GDP (via a reduction in exports) will be around -0.1%.Adding to this are the effects of uncertainty, the global economic slowdown and more restrictive fiscal policy, all of which will weigh on French economic activity throughout the year. The cooling in the labour market is likely to limit the recovery in household consumptio...

Economics

8 h. ago France avoids recession as economy returns to growth; UK house prices drop – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsChina manufacturing activity plummets amid Trump tariff warAverage UK house prices fell this month, lender Nationwide reports, after the rush to avoid an increase in stamp duty faded.According to Nationwide, house prices fell by 0.6% in April, with the average price dropping to £270,752 from £271,316 in March.Early indications suggest there was a significant jump in transactions in March, with buyers bringing forward their purchases to avoid additional tax obligations.“The market is likely to remain a little soft in the coming months, following the pattern typically observed following the end of stamp duty holidays. Nevertheless, activity is likely to pick up steadily as summer progresses, despite wider economic uncertainties in the global economy, since underlying conditions for potential home buyers in the UK remain supportive. Continue reading...

Economics

7 d. ago Ukraine peace talks in London downgraded after US, France, Germany cancel attendance: What it means for Kyiv?

Ukraine peace talks in London downgraded after US, France, Germany cancel attendance: What it means for Kyiv?  The Indian Express

Politics

7 d. ago Top diplomats from UK, France, Germany, Ukraine postpone London meeting

Top diplomats from UK, France, Germany, Ukraine postpone London meeting - UPDATED  Latest news from Azerbaijan

Politics

1 week ago ECB cuts rates for third time this year as Europe braces for Trump tariffs

Quarter-point cut in main rate to 2.25% aims to tackle slowing eurozone growth and impact of US border taxesBusiness live – latest updatesThe cost of borrowing has fallen across the 20-member euro area for the third time this year after the European Central Bank cut its main interest rate to 2.25% in response to slowing growth and Donald Trump’s tariffs.The Frankfurt-based bank cut its benchmark deposit rate by a quarter of a percentage point on Thursday, in line with City economist expectations, to tackle a slowdown in the bloc and the impact from the border taxes imposed earlier this month on all EU imports into the US. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago ECB expected to cut rates in April and June as tariffs threaten recession

Growing concern about growth and deflationary pressure predicted to force central bankers’ hands in Eurozone and UK

Economics

3 w. ago FTSE latest: UK stock markets plunge in biggest daily fall since Covid after Trump tariffs

The stock markets in the UK, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea and Australia were all falling for a second day

Politics

3 w. ago Bigger than Texas: the true size of Australia’s devastating floods

In outback Queensland, an area four times the size of the UK has been inundated with torrential rain, leaving many cut off or forced to abandon homesElection 2025 live updates: Australia federal election campaignGet our afternoon election email, free app or daily news podcastThe extent of flood waters that have engulfed Queensland over the past fortnight is so widespread it has covered an area more than four times the size of the United Kingdom. The inundation is larger than France and Germany combined – and is even bigger than Texas.The seemingly endless plains of outback Queensland are so vast and remote as to boggle any attempts to visualise the scale of what is being described as one of the most devastating floods in living memory. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago FTSE latest: European stock markets plunge after China retaliates with 34% tariff on US goods

The stock markets in the UK, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea and Australia were all falling for a second day

Economics

3 w. ago Germany could BAN AfD candidates from running for office under proposed new rules

The law would block those with 'multiple convictions of inciting to hatred' from standing in elections, according to a draft agreement between the parties seen by German newspaper Die Welt.

Politics

last month World markets and US dollar suffer worst monthly losses since 2022 as Trump trade war riles investors – business live

Shares slide after President Donald Trump says new reciprocal tariffs expected this week will include all nationsWall Street shrinks in response to price pressures, stoking fears of Trump tariffsEurope’s main stock indices are a sea of red, as investors react to Donald Trump’s declaration that the reciprocal tariffs he is set to announce this week will include all nations.Italy’s FTSE MIB index has dropped 1.4%, France’s CAC is down 1%, and Germany’s DAX has lost 0.95%.The tariffs imposed by the U.S. government and the fear of new announcements as early as Wednesday are creating a bleak atmosphere on trading floors worldwide. Just last Wednesday, the DAX was above 23,000 points, but it now appears that the index may soon test the 22,000 mark.The risk appetite seen in the initial weeks of the year has dissipated as investors and asset managers pull back, reduce positions, and refrain from taking on large new ones. The inclination to buy the dips has nearly vanished. Continue reading...

Economics