Economic News

LONDON (AFX) - The dollar steadied after dropping overnight in the wake of fairly dovish comments from a member of the US Federal Reserve's rate-setting body. Donald Kohn, the Fed's vice chairman, said recent inflation data are "encouragingly consistent" with the central bank's forecast for a gradual decline. Despite that, he tempered his assessment by stressing that it is still too ear ...

Jane Merrick, Daily Mail9 January 2007 The cost of living for millions of families has soared by nearly £10,000 a year since Labour came to power, the Tories claimed yesterday. OTHER STORIES UK pensions are Europe's worst M&S 'out of intensive care' Market report: Tuesday latest Beer is cheaper than water Christmas figures boost High St SHARE TIPS 2007 Read to find ...

HONG KONG (XFN-ASIA) - Hong Kong's GDP growth is expected to slow down to 5.4 pct this year from last year's estimated 6.8 pct, the International Monetary Fund said. The IMF projects the real GDP of Hong Kong to have grown by 6.8 pct in 2006, broadly in line with the government's forecast, while inflation is expected to have been around 2 pct in 2006. Skillful macroeconomic management, flexible  ...

LONDON (AFX) - The euro remained steady against the dollar with the pick up in trading volumes failed to translate into any major price moves. "Trading has been brisk, but at the end of the day there isn't much change, with the dollar only slightly softer," said Joe Prendergast at Credit Suisse. Earlier today the dollar had weakened slightly against major currencies after its significa ...

BASEL (AFX) - G10 central bankers are still upbeat about prospects for the global economy in 2007, with growth continuing to be very encouraging although some low-level risks remain, G10 chairman Jean-Claude Trichet said. Speaking after a meeting of the central bankers' group at the Bank of International Settlement (BIS) in Basel, Trichet said: "Growth this year might be of the same magnitud ...

(Updating with G10 views on US slowdown, other detail) BASEL (AFX) - G10 central bankers are still upbeat about prospects for the global economy in 2007, with growth continuing to be very encouraging although some low-level risks remain, G10 chairman Jean-Claude Trichet said. Speaking following a meeting of the central bankers' group at the Bank of International Settlement (BIS) in Basel, Triche ...

This is Money8 January 2007 Rising inflation is putting upward pressure on pay deals this month, with settlements averaging 4%, according to a new report today. WANT TO KNOW MORE? ADVICE: How to get a pay rise NEWS: Pay rises may force up rates CALCULATOR: Unpaid overtime TABLES: Salaries for British jobs OTHER STORIES £5 fine for a late gas payment New tax 'to hit home impr ...

Helen Loveless, Mail on Sunday8 January 2007 Warnings about record debt levels are hitting home with figures showing that the amount borrowed by consumers on credit cards is falling by hundreds of millions of pounds a month. OTHER STORIES Is it worth consulting an IFA? Balance transfer bonanza Is your card dishwasher-proof? Xmas fuels insolvency numbers Playing the card game  ...

LONDON (AFX) - European government bonds were up slightly, reversing some of Friday's sharp losses after much stronger-than-expected US jobs data, though trade remained quiet. Official figures released on Friday showed the US economy created 167,000 jobs in December, more than double what the market anticipated and putting paid to any lingering notion that the Federal Reserve may start cutting in ...