Now playing Next Economy Germany's commercial real estate plunge could be a threat for banks Germany's commercial real estate crisis could mean trouble for the country's banks due to their high exposure to the sector. 20/03/2024
Now playing Next Economy Bank of Japan ends opts for first interest rate hike in 17 years Japan's central bank has decided to end its era of negative interest rates following signs that the country's decades-long deflation is coming to an end. 19/03/2024
Now playing Next Economy IMF: Emerging European economies need high interest rates for longer Inflation is proving more stubborn in central, eastern and southeastern Europe, says the International Monetary Fund, meaning a soft landing must be handled carefully. 15/03/2024
Now playing Next Economy Ukraine slashes interest rates to 14.5%, Finnish inflation slides Sweden and Spain also saw slowing inflation, helped by food and non-alcoholic beverage prices falling, as well as clothing and footwear prices. 14/03/2024
Now playing Next Economy UK unemployment rises and wage growth cools Weakness in the job market suggests inflationary pressures are easing, although the Bank of England will likely remain cautious about rate cuts. 12/03/2024
Now playing Next Economy Cash no longer king - how Britain makes a mint from cards The Treasury is making a mint from Britain's increasingly cash-free society. 11/03/2024
Now playing Next Markets Gold prices reach all-time highs: Which European stocks may benefit? Gold prices hit a record high, as markets eye potential Fed rate cuts in 2024. 08/03/2024
Now playing Next Economy Market enthusiasm on rate cuts meets Lagarde's prudence ECB President Christine Lagarde emphasises caution on rate cuts after the central bank kept interest rates at record high on Thursday. 07/03/2024
Now playing Next Economy ECB keeps rates at a record: Inflation expected to hit 2% by 2025 The ECB kept its benchmark interest rates on hold in March, noting a further decline in inflation. Price pressures are now expected to reach the 2% target by 2025. 07/03/2024
Now playing Next Economy ECB likely to keep interest rates at record highs at March meeting The ECB has been vocal about the need for more conclusive evidence of declining inflation and cooling labour markets, before cutting rates. 07/03/2024
Now playing Next Economy Where in Europe have property prices increased tenfold since 2015? Hungarian house prices have climbed by more than 166% since 2015, but there's a country with an even more eyewatering increase. 06/03/2024
Now playing Next Economy UK house prices climb as buyers return to market House prices in the UK have risen year-on-year for the first time in 13 months, signalling a recovery after last year’s property slump. 01/03/2024
Now playing Next Economy Mortgages with interest under 1% - a new era in home financing? Own New in the UK has launched a mortgage product that will enable borrowers to take out a loan with an interest rate under 1% for those buying new builds - is this the new era of home financing, and will it catch on in Europe? 27/02/2024
Now playing Next Economy Turkey holds key interest rate at 45% as consumer prices soar Turkey held its key interest rate at 45% on Thursday as consumer prices rose by nearly 65% in January. 22/02/2024
Now playing Next Economy China cuts key interest rate to revive property sector The world's second-biggest economy is launching a new effort to boost a sector which provides 25% of the country's GDP. 20/02/2024
Now playing Next Economy Pound moves higher as UK retail sales rise at fastest pace since 2021 January's jump in sales was the biggest since April 2021 and followed a 3.3% fall in December. 16/02/2024
Now playing Next Economy UK enters recession as economy shrinks: Will the BoE cut rates sooner? An economy is widely considered to enter a technical recession following two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth, which is usually measured by GDP. 15/02/2024
Now playing Next Markets Bitcoin prices soar, following post-approval surge in demand Bitcoin ETFs have seen more demand than previously expected, following last month's approval by the US Securities and Exchange Commission. 14/02/2024
Now playing Next Economy German inflation eases raising ECB interest rate cut hopes German inflation eased to 3.1% in January year-over-year from 3.8% in December, confirming preliminary data, according to the country's federal statistics office. 09/02/2024
Now playing Next Economy Boom or bust? Economic impact of ageing populations and fewer births Life expectancy is rising, birth rates are falling, and pension systems are starting to creak - so what does ageing mean for interest rates and the wider economy? 09/02/2024