The UK Budget

Pound Sterling This week has been one of gains and upward momentum for Sterling. On Monday the Pound made gains against the US Dollar and edged upwards against the Euro after May’s manufacturing PMI data rose to 51.3 from the 49.8 recorded in April. A figure above 50 signals expansion. Construction data also boosted the Pound […]

After last week’s QE3 taper tantrum and fall from near all-time highs, the shortened week started on a calmer note with what looked like a rebound. This ultimately proved a tease and short-lived with better US data (housing, manufacturing, consumer confidence) being taken well in terms of growth/recovery rather than scaring market with worries of […]

Pound Sterling – With UK markets closed for a national holiday it was a slow start to the week for the Pound. Although Sterling went on to weaken against the US Dollar as UK retail sales dropped to a 16-month low, it was able to recoup losses as separate reports showed a surge in British house […]

Pound Sterling – The Pound started the week looking upwards after it made gains against the US Dollar after an industry report showed that UK home sellers raised their asking prices for a fifth consecutive month in May. As a result of the data, Sterling climbed from its lowest level in six-weeks against the US currency. […]

There had been growing concern of a triple-dip recession The UK economy has avoided entering a triple-dip recession following the announcement of a 0.3% GDP increase in the first quarter of 2013. Compiled by the Office for National Statistics the data shows that whilst construction output continues to struggle production, mining, quarrying and the service […]

Change in name to reflect greater cooperation between investment and real estate operations M&G Investments, one of Europe’s leading investment managers, today announces that its property business, PRUPIM, will be renamed M&G Real Estate. The change of name is effective from the end of June. Alex Jeffrey, Chief Executive of PRUPIM, says the name change […]

High street retailer sees strongest quarterly sales growth in the last two years Leading UK retailer Marks and Spencer has announced its strongest sales growth in two years following a 3.1% rise during the first quarter of 2013. Figures released by the company revealed that increased food sales were the central factor for the company’s […]

UK business leaders respond to the 2013/14 budget With a package of new measures announced during George Osborne’s fourth budget business leaders have been putting them into practical context and demonstrating how they will influence the UK economy. Whilst a lack of financial support for SMEs drew criticism, Mr Osborne’s budget has been broadly welcomed […]

In the weeks running up to the budget sources close to the Treasury were keen to downplay today’s budget. Following the ‘omishambles’ budget of 2012 the Chancellor was said to be hoping for a period of comparatively calm waters and for 2013’s effort to pass without notice. This perceived wisdom was soon swept away as […]

In the last of ADVFN’s series of articles on what UK businesses want to see in this years budget Anil Stocker, Head of Policy at the NGFC & co-founder of MarketInvoice, an online SME finance provider, makes the case for the government to deliver on further support in helping SMEs gain access to finance. At […]