5 h. ago US consumer confidence plunges to lowest in 5 years on tariff worries

Americans’ confidence in the economy slumped for the fifth straight month to the lowest level since the onset of COIVD-19 as worries about the impact of tariffs take a heavy toll on consumer expectations for future growth

Politics

4 d. ago Pakistan and India exchange fire as UN calls for ‘maximum restraint’

Countries trade blows across line of control in disputed Kashmir as tensions rise after deadly shootingTroops from Pakistan and India exchanged fire overnight across the line of control in disputed Kashmir, officials have said, after the UN urged the nuclear-armed rivals to show “maximum restraint” after a deadly shooting in the region.Relations have plunged to their lowest level in years, with India accusing Pakistan of supporting “cross-border terrorism” after gunmen carried out the worst attack on civilians in contested Muslim-majority Kashmir for a quarter of a century. Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago Kashmir attack: Indian army chief to visit Srinagar as UN urges ‘maximum restraint’

UN calls for tensions between India and Pakistan to be resolved peacefully as relations plunge to lowest level in years following deadly shootingIndia’s army chief was set to lead a high-level security review in Srinagar on Friday, days after militants opened fire on tourists in Indian-held Kashmir, killing 26 civilians in one of the worst such attacks in years.The brazen assault, carried out in a mountain meadow near Pahalgam, has derailed prime minister Narendra Modi’s claims of restored calm in the restive Himalayan territory and sent tensions soaring between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan. Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago UK consumer confidence hit by higher household costs and US tariffs

All measures of leading survey drop in April as price rises and Trump import taxes bite

Economics

4 d. ago UK consumer confidence hit in April by Trump tariff concerns

All measures of leading survey drop as price rises and US import taxes bite

Politics

4 d. ago Consumer confidence slides amid household bill hikes and ‘Trump Tariffs’

GfK’s long-running Consumer Confidence Index fell four points in April to minus 23, led by an eight-point fall in expectations for the wider economy.

Politics

5 d. ago US trade war fears drive UK consumer confidence down to record low; Tesla’s European sales fall again – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsDonald Trump’s tariffs will make it harder for Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s car division, Ineos Automotive, to reach its first profit.Ineos Automotive’s CEO, Lynn Calder, told Bloomberg that the US president’s 25% tariff on foreign cars will make it harder to hit the earnings target.“For sure, this last week has put a dent in that and, for sure, delayed it,”“We’re stubborn as mules. We’re not easy to knock down.”“With fieldwork completed just days after Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs, it is unsurprising that consumer expectations for the economy plummeted to a record low. The original tariff schedule, since reduced for most countries, was expected to reduce growth in the UK and elsewhere. Yet despite this economic pessimism, expectations of retail spending rose slightly as the prospect of Easter shopping drew closer.The state of the economy dropped significantly to -48 in April, down from -35 in March.Their personal financial...

Economics

5 d. ago Is a US recession on the horizon amid Trump’s tariffs? | Jeffrey Frankel

Expectations that the Fed will cut short-term interest rates and falling consumer confidence could indicate what is aheadImagine you are sailing a ship through dense fog, looking out for land. Your lookout spots species of birds typically found offshore. It now seems likely that you are approaching land, but it is impossible to know for sure until you see the coastline. If a US recession is land, the “birds” are already swooping into view. But these sightings offer no guarantees of what lies ahead, only probabilities.An inverted yield curve, when the long-term interest rate falls to or below the short-term rate, is commonly considered to be a predictor of recession. The 10-year bond rate did fall below the three-month Treasury rate in March, although the two are now at about the same level. In any case, the yield curve does not actually tell us much. It simply reflects financial market expectations that the US Federal Reserve might cut short-term interest rates in the future, which ...

Politics

1 week ago Show goes on for Ralph Lauren as fashion reels from Trump tariffs

With the sector bracing itself for a global trade war, investors may find comfort in a trusted pair of handsTwo weeks after Donald Trump announced his “liberation day” tariffs, the fashion industry finds itself in turmoil as it tries to navigate the chaos unleashed.Some are calling it the “tariffpocalypse”, with the sector bracing itself for a global trade war, snarling up supplies and hiking costs, alongside plummeting consumer confidence. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago European Central Bank cuts interest rates for the seventh time as global trade tensions escalate

The European Central Bank cut interest rates Thursday for the seventh time to counter worries about economic growth fueled by President Donald Trump’s tariff onslaught

Events

2 w. ago Trump admits ‘transition cost’ of tariffs as global markets sink again – business live

US stocks tumble once more after historic rally following US president’s shock retreat on ‘reciprocal’ tariffsUS stocks fall again after rally following Trump’s shock retreat on tariffsIn the UK, shoppers stayed away from the high street in March, a situation retailers said could worsen if the economic gloom caused by Donald Trump’s tariff war hits consumer confidence.Footfall fell 5% in March to extend a downturn in February that retailers said could be attributed to a recent rise in inflation and pressure on pay packets since a brief revival during the January sales.Global uncertainties resulting from tariffs and a potential economic slowdown could reduce the appetite for shopping trips in the coming months. Continue reading...

Economics

2 w. ago Walmart worries Wall Street by yanking its economic expectations report amid tariff uncertainty

CFO argues company will emerge on other side of uncertainty ‘with greater share and a stronger business’

Economics

2 w. ago Businesses braced for ‘nosedive’ in consumer confidence amid Trump’s new tariffs

UK firms are facing uncertainty over how the changes will impact their business.

Politics

3 w. ago FTSE falls, tariffs rise: How the UK is responding to a global economic shock...The Standard Podcast

The FTSE 100 plunged to its lowest level in a year as markets reacted to sweeping new US tariffs, including a 25% charge on imported vehicles.

Economics

3 w. ago Trump condemns the world to a financial 'nuclear winter': FTSE plummets to lowest level in a year, cryptocurrency joins the plunge as defiant President insists world must take his 'medicine'

The FTSE 100 was again whacked today by the fallout from the president's astonishing move to hike import taxes on goods entering the US, hitting its lowest lowest level in a year.

Politics

4 w. ago Trump administration cuts tens of millions of dollars from Planned Parenthood – live

HHS reportedly gives organization 10 days to prove that they’ll comply with orders that ban DEI and other initiativesImmigration remains a strength for Donald Trump, but his handling of tariffs is getting more negative feedback, according to a poll from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. About half of US adults approve of Trump’s approach to immigration, the survey shows, but only about four in 10 have a positive view of the way he’s handling the economy and trade negotiations. The poll indicates that many Americans are still on board with Trump’s efforts to ramp up deportations and restrict immigration. But it also suggests that the Republican president’s threats to impose tariffs – which have been accompanied by tumbling consumer confidence and wild stock market swings – might be erasing his advantage on another issue that he made central to his winning 2024 campaign. The economy was a drag on then president Joe Biden, who saw the share of Americans who ...

Politics

4 w. ago US stocks post worst quarter since 2022 as tariff worries swirl

S&P 500 sinks almost 5% in first three months of 2025 on rising concerns over economy

Politics

4 w. ago Trump administration announces review of Harvard University’s federal contracts and grants – live

Education department announces review of Harvard’s $255.6m contracts and $8.7bn multi-year grant commitments amid allegations of antisemitism Immigration remains a strength for Donald Trump, but his handling of tariffs is getting more negative feedback, according to a poll from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. About half of US adults approve of Trump’s approach to immigration, the survey shows, but only about four in 10 have a positive view of the way he’s handling the economy and trade negotiations. The poll indicates that many Americans are still on board with Trump’s efforts to ramp up deportations and restrict immigration. But it also suggests that the Republican president’s threats to impose tariffs – which have been accompanied by tumbling consumer confidence and wild stock market swings – might be erasing his advantage on another issue that he made central to his winning 2024 campaign. The economy was a drag on then president Joe Biden, who saw th...

Politics

4 w. ago US stocks on track for worst quarter in three years as tariff worries swirl

S&P 500 down 5% in first three months of 2025 on rising concerns over economy

Politics

4 w. ago Donald Trump refuses to say whether he’s planning to leave office after second term – US politics live

President criticized by some in both parties after telling NBC ‘there are methods’ in securing a third term despite constitutional barriersImmigration remains a strength for Donald Trump, but his handling of tariffs is getting more negative feedback, according to a poll from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. About half of US adults approve of Trump’s approach to immigration, the survey shows, but only about four in 10 have a positive view of the way he’s handling the economy and trade negotiations. The poll indicates that many Americans are still on board with Trump’s efforts to ramp up deportations and restrict immigration. But it also suggests that the Republican president’s threats to impose tariffs – which have been accompanied by tumbling consumer confidence and wild stock market swings – might be erasing his advantage on another issue that he made central to his winning 2024 campaign. The economy was a drag on then president Joe Biden, who saw the s...

Politics