Economic News

LONDON (AFX) - The euro was steady at lower levels against the pound and rangebound against the dollar amid muted trading levels as the US marked a holiday in honour of Martin Luther King. The euro had been well-bid against the dollar in the morning, but -- unlike the pound -- failed to make further inroads on the US unit beyond 1.2940 usd. "We see only a gradual stabilisation in euro/dolla ...

LONDON (AFX) - The Canadian dollar rose to a 12-day high against its US counterpart, boosted by today's rebound in oil prices. At 4.18 pm, the US dollar was trading at 1.1679 against the Canadian unit, just above an earlier 12-day low of 1.1658. Oil prices have risen today after slumping to 19-month lows last week on fears that OPEC might move to cut output in a bid to reverse the 13 pct plunge  ...

LONDON (AFX) - European government bonds remained firm though trading was muted amid a dearth of economic news and today's public holiday in the US. Apart from last week's relatively bearish comments from European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet, bonds suffered on the back of supply and some strong economic activity data on both sides of the Atlantic. The most important news this week ...

LONDON (AFX) - The dollar is set for modest declines in 2007 as US growth continues to slow, prompting the Federal Reserve to start cutting interest rates, according to Goldman Sachs. "We see a modest decline in the dollar over 2007, which will be good for world markets rather than bad," Goldman's head of global economic research Jim O-Neill told a conference on global strategy here. G ...

This is Money15 January 2007 Every adult in the UK will be entitled to free generic financial advice within five years, the Government announced today. WANT TO KNOW MORE? THIS IS MONEY: Our independence THIS IS MONEY: All about us THIS IS MONEY: Our free financial guides ADVICE: Are IFAs worthwhile? ADVICE: How to pick an IFA OTHER STORIES Flight tax to cause travel chaos Househo ...

LONDON (AFX) - European government bonds recouped some of last week's losses, with trading muted amid a dearth of economic news and today's public holiday in the US. Apart from last week's relatively bearish comments from European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet, bonds suffered on the back of supply and some strong economic activity data on both sides of the Atlantic. "This week' ...

Rebecca Camber, Daily Mail15 January 2007 Millions of holidaymakers are likely to face chaos at airports around Britain as airlines threaten to stop passengers flying if they do not pay a new air tax. WANT TO KNOW MORE? Backlash on Brown travel taxes A carbon cop-out? 50 ways to save on holidays OTHER STORIES M&S's five-year eco-warrior plan Market report: Monday preview Sky sl ...

TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - Economic and Fiscal Policy Minister Hiroko Ota has called for the central bank to hold interest rates steady to stimulate the economy and beat deflation decisively. "Japan is facing an extremely critical moment as it is finally getting out of deflation," Ota told a news conference, two days before the Bank of Japan's policy board begins a two-day meeting. "Our m ...

Machinery orders in Japan rose faster than expected in November, official figures have shown, indicating rising strength in the economy. Core machinery orders, which were up 3.8% in November from the month before, are a key indicator of investment. The latest figure reinforces the view that Japan's economic recovery will be based more on corporate than on consumer spending in months to come. Analysts were divided over the impact of Monday's figures on interest rates. Decisive factor? The Ba ...

Members of the public can now work out their own personal inflation rate using an official government website. An online calculator will enable people to work out how their spending compares with national averages. The Office for National Statistics wants to give people a better insight into the goods and services pushing inflation higher - currently at 2.7%. It will also help explain why people's experience of rising prices is often different from the official version. "The most important  ...