According to the Commerce Department, US consumer spending rose by just 0.2% in December after a 0.7% rise in November.
The rise in consumer spending, which makes up for more than two-thirds of overall economic activity in the US, was slightly under analysts expectations of a 0.3% gain.
For 2009, consumer spending fell 0.4% – [...]
European equities markets were higher Monday as banks and miners saw gains.
The FTSE 100 added 1.14 percent to 5,247.41 in London, while the FTSE 250 gained 0.81 percent to 8,312.11.
Northumbrian Water Group (LSE: NWG) had the best day in London, adding 11.76 percent and leading the 250 on a media report that the Ontario Teachers’ [...]
Exxon Mobil, which is the world’s largest oil company, has today announced a 23% fall in fourth quarter profits.
The company reported profits of $6.05 billion (£3.8 billion) for the three months to December 31, compared with $7.82 billion in the same period a year earlier.
Revenues grew 7% to $89.84 billion exceeding analysts expectations and [...]
Virgin Money has snapped up a small Somerset bank for £12.3m paving the way for the launch of Virgin Bank. Would you switch?
Source: B of E – Economic Recovery and Housing Market (pdf)
A few interesting questions in the current climate is:
- Why have UK house prices started to rise – despite house price to earnings ratios being above long term average?
- Why are UK house prices rising after only 18 months of decline – whearas after the [...]