33 h. ago Global economic growth will slow amid Trump tariffs, IMF warns – as it happened

Live, rolling coverage of business, economics and financial markets as ECB reduces main interest rate from 2.5% to 2.25%, the seventh cut in a yearTrump attacks Fed chair Jerome Powell for not lowering interest ratesECB cuts rates for third time this year as Europe braces for Trump tariffsDonald Trump is awake. And he has strongly criticised monetary policy by the Federal Reserve, saying the end of Jerome Powell’s tenure as chair “cannot come fast enough”.In a post on Truth Social, the social network he owns, Trump said that Powell had been too slow to cut interest rates – contrasting its hesistance because of perceived inflationary pressures with the European Central Bank (ECB).The ECB is expected to cut interest rates for the 7th time, and yet, “Too Late” Jerome Powell of the Fed, who is always TOO LATE AND WRONG, yesterday issued a report which was another, and typical, complete “mess!” Oil prices are down, groceries (even eggs!) are down, and the USA is getting RICH ON TARIFFS. ...

Events

33 h. ago Global economic growth will slow amid Trump tariffs, IMF warns – business live

Live, rolling coverage of business, economics and financial markets as ECB reduces main interest rate from 2.5% to 2.25%, the seventh cut in a yearTrump attacks Fed chair Jerome Powell for not lowering interest ratesECB cuts rates for third time this year as Europe braces for Trump tariffsDonald Trump is awake. And he has strongly criticised monetary policy by the Federal Reserve, saying the end of Jerome Powell’s tenure as chair “cannot come fast enough”.In a post on Truth Social, the social network he owns, Trump said that Powell had been too slow to cut interest rates – contrasting its hesistance because of perceived inflationary pressures with the European Central Bank (ECB).The ECB is expected to cut interest rates for the 7th time, and yet, “Too Late” Jerome Powell of the Fed, who is always TOO LATE AND WRONG, yesterday issued a report which was another, and typical, complete “mess!” Oil prices are down, groceries (even eggs!) are down, and the USA is getting RICH ON TARIFFS. ...

Economics

35 h. ago Donald Trump criticises Federal Reserve chair as European Central Bank cuts interest rates – business live

Live, rolling coverage of business, economics and financial markets as ECB reduces main interest rate from 2.5% to 2.25%, the seventh cut in a yearDonald Trump is awake. And he has strongly criticised monetary policy by the Federal Reserve, saying the end of Jerome Powell’s tenure as chair “cannot come fast enough”.In a post on Truth Social, the social network he owns, Trump said that Powell had been too slow to cut interest rates – contrasting its hesistance because of perceived inflationary pressures with the European Central Bank (ECB).The ECB is expected to cut interest rates for the 7th time, and yet, “Too Late” Jerome Powell of the Fed, who is always TOO LATE AND WRONG, yesterday issued a report which was another, and typical, complete “mess!” Oil prices are down, groceries (even eggs!) are down, and the USA is getting RICH ON TARIFFS. Too Late should have lowered Interest Rates, like the ECB, long ago, but he should certainly lower them now. Powell’s termination cannot come f...

Politics

35 h. 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

63 h. ago UK inflation surprise: May 8 interest rate cut ‘sure bet’ but will mortgage costs now fall?

“This is an uncertain moment - both for the UK economy and for household finances” – Kevin Brown, Scottish Friendly

Economics

64 h. ago UK inflation dips in March, potentially paving the way for another interest rate cut

Inflation in the U.K. fell for the second month running in March largely as a result of lower prices at the pump, a move that is likely to pile pressure on the Bank of England to cut interest rates next month

Economics

64 h. ago Asian shares sell off as US curbs on Nvidia chip sales to China fuel trade fears; UK inflation slows to 2.6% – business live

Gold surges nearly 2% to new record high; UK food inflation slows and fuel prices fall while clothes prices riseFinancial markets are betting on an interest rate cut from the Bank of England meeting at its May meeting, estimating an 86% probability.They have fully priced in three quarter-point rate reductions this year.A sharp pickup in inflation from April is all but guaranteed. Ofgem’s 6.4% increase to its price cap, after a large fall last year, means we expect the energy component will add 0.7ppts to CPI inflation in April. A significant increase in water bills means the contribution from the core goods category is also set to rise. In addition, we expect businesses to pass on some of the increase in labour costs caused by the recent rises in employers’ National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and the National Living Wage onto consumers. Inflation is likely to peak in the autumn, before starting to cool as the contribution from the energy category fades.The MPC has lowered Bank R...

Economics

65 h. ago Relief for Rachel Reeves as inflation dipped to 2.6% in March

Headline CPI was 2.6 per cent in March, down from 2.8 per cent in February and better than the 2.7 per cent analysts had pencilled in.

Economics

6 d. ago Trump's reckless tariff policy and determination to cut taxes means he will have to borrow trillions at a time when the interest rate on government debt is spiralling

Trump's economic policies may seem like a great idea to those he's surrounded himself with in the White House - but to sensible people they threaten to send inflation spiralling and make us all poorer

Politics

2 w. ago Trump’s tariffs will likely mean ‘higher inflation and slower growth’, says Fed chair

While the US economy remains robust, Jerome Powell cautions there is high uncertainty over its directionUS politics live – latest updatesDonald Trump’s global tariffs assault is set to raise prices and slow down economic growth, Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell has warned, defying the US president’s demands for an immediate interest rate cut.While the US economy remains robust, Powell cautioned that there is high uncertainty over its direction. “Downside risks have risen,” he told an event in Arlington, Virginia, on Friday. Continue reading...

Economics

2 w. ago Trump tariffs batter FTSE 100 but what does market turmoil mean for interest rates and inflation?

“A potential rate cut is definitely a step in the right direction, but we’ve been here before - nothing’s guaranteed”

Economics

3 w. ago Hopes rise for interest rate cut after inflation falls – but experts warn relief may be short

The Bank of England have promised a “careful” approach to reducing the rate this year

Events

3 w. ago Odds of Bank of England interest rate cut strengthen after inflation falls to 2.8%

Bigger-than-forecast decline in annual rate in February is positive news for Rachel ReevesBusiness live – latest updatesThe odds of the Bank of England cutting interest rates in May have been strengthened after inflation cooled by more than forecast last month.In a boost for Rachel Reeves on the day of the chancellor’s spring statement, the Office for National Statistics said inflation as measured by the consumer prices index eased to 2.8% in February from 3% in January. Continue reading...

Economics

3 w. ago Odds of May interest rate cut rise after UK inflation falls to 2.8% – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as pound dips after February’s inflation reportFurther benefits cuts planned as Rachel Reeves forced to find extra £1.6bnFive economic factors that will govern Rachel Reeves’s spring statementSterling is weakening a little, after UK inflation fell by more than expected this morning.The pound has lost nearly a third of a cent against the US dollar to $1.2915.The market reaction to this data has been minimal, as the focus remains on the Spring Statement later today.The pound has dropped slightly, but GBP/USD is down less than 20 pips so far on Wednesday, the bond markets are not open, but we think that UK Gilts will also have a mild reaction to this data. Continue reading...

Economics

4 w. ago Next UK interest rate cut may not come until August after hawkish Bank of England hold – as it happened

Monetary Policy Committee votes 8-1 to leave UK interest rates unchanged at 4.5%Bank of England says companies freezing hiring plans as it keeps interest rates on holdIn the property world, Norway’s sovereign wealth fund is buying a quarter of Covent Garden.The Norges Bank Investment Management has entered a partnership with landlord Shaftesbury, and will pay £570m for a 25% stake in the Covent Garden estate.This investment underscores our belief in the strength of London with the portfolio complementing our other high quality West End investments.Covent Garden is one of the world’s most recognised retail, leisure and cultural destinations and we look forward to supporting Shaftesbury Capital’s management team, with their strong track record of delivering the growth potential of this prime West End estate.”“The reforms I have announced will ensure everyone who can work gets the active support they need, including through an extra £1 billion for personalised health, skills and employ...

Politics

4 w. ago Next UK interest rate cut may not come until August after hawkish Bank of England hold – business live

Monetary Policy Committee votes 8-1 to leave UK interest rates unchanged at 4.5%Bank of England says companies freezing hiring plans as it keeps interest rates on holdIn the property world, Norway’s sovereign wealth fund is buying a quarter of Covent Garden.The Norges Bank Investment Management has entered a partnership with landlord Shaftesbury, and will pay £570m for a 25% stake in the Covent Garden estate.This investment underscores our belief in the strength of London with the portfolio complementing our other high quality West End investments.Covent Garden is one of the world’s most recognised retail, leisure and cultural destinations and we look forward to supporting Shaftesbury Capital’s management team, with their strong track record of delivering the growth potential of this prime West End estate.”“The reforms I have announced will ensure everyone who can work gets the active support they need, including through an extra £1 billion for personalised health, skills and employ...

Economics

4 w. ago What the latest interest rates mean for your mortgage, savings and bills

The base rate has been held after February’s cut - so what’s the day-to-day impact on people?

Economics

last month Federal Reserve keeps interest rate unchanged, sees slower growth, slightly higher inflation ahead

The Federal Reserve kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged Wednesday and signaled that it still expects to cut rates twice this year, though more policymakers forecast fewer cuts

Economics