Business Santander announces buyback plan while CA also sees earnings rise Spain's Santander has reported a record profit of €12.57bn and revealed plans for more share buybacks. France's Crédit Agricole, meanwhile, has recorded a rise in net income. 05/02/2025
Economy UK house prices see weak rise in January amid high interest rates UK house prices have advanced marginally in January as buyers continue to struggle with affordability pressures. 31/01/2025
Economy ECB cuts rates again as inflation nears 2% and growth remains weak The European Central Bank (ECB) cut its benchmark interest rate again by a quarter-point to 2.75% on Thursday as inflation nears 2% and growth remains weak. 30/01/2025
Economy Federal Reserve holds rates steady: Policy divergence with ECB widens The Fed kept rates steady at 4.25%-4.50%, signalling caution amid strong US growth and elevated inflation. Meanwhile, the ECB faces pressure to cut rates further as the eurozone economy weakens. The euro fell to 1.04. 29/01/2025
Economy ECB set to cut rates this week: Could Trump tariffs cloud outlook? The ECB is expected to cut rates by 25bps to 2.75% on Thursday as inflation nears 2% and growth remains weak. Analysts see further cuts in 2025, but US trade tariffs could add uncertainty. 28/01/2025
Economy Bank of Japan raises interest rates to highest level in 17 years Stronger wages have contributed to the decision by Japan's central bank to raise rates to about 0.5%. The BOJ reiterated that it may in the future raise interest rates again, if required. 24/01/2025
Economy Poland keeps interest rate steady as inflation lingers above target Poland’s central bank has revealed its reluctance to cut interest rates before the end of this year, as a number of economic factors risk pushing inflation up once more. 16/01/2025
Economy ECB follows 'middle path' on rates as inflation risks remain Eurozone inflation fell to 2.4% in December 2024, but ECB chief economist Philip Lane cautions that services inflation and uneven growth persist. A "middle path" on interest rates and structural reforms is crucial for stability. 13/01/2025
Economy UK inflation highest among G7 countries as energy costs raise prices The UK has continued to have one of the highest inflation rates in the G7, mainly driven by rising energy prices and ongoing supply chain issues. 10/01/2025
Economy Inflation eases in Sweden as hopes of rate cut from Riksbank grow Analysts are now hopeful that the Swedish central bank will lower its key policy rate later this month, following five interest rate cuts last year. 08/01/2025
Economy Banking mergers are hot - but cross-border deals still face hurdles High interest rates have allowed banks to build cash reserves for takeovers, although national concerns could be hindering pan-European deals. 24/12/2024
Russia Russian central bank holds interest rate at 21% The decision has brought criticism from influential business figures, who say high rates are hindering business activity and preventing growth. 20/12/2024
Economy ECB interest rate cuts in 2025: How low could they go? The ECB is expected to cut rates further in 2025 as weak growth and cooling inflation persist. While markets predict a drop to 2%, some analysts suggest deeper cuts could follow if trade risks and global uncertainties escalate. 20/12/2024
Markets Global markets in sea of red as the Fed dims hopes of Santa rally Global markets are set to end the week lower following the Fed’s hawkish rate cut on Wednesday, which sent government bond yields soaring, draining liquidities. 20/12/2024
Economy Stocks plunge as Federal Reserve's tilt triggers ‘Black Wednesday’ Fed sparks market rout: Wall Street plunged, the dollar hit two-year highs, and Treasury yields spiked as Powell struck a hawkish tone, warning of inflation risks and cautious rate cuts ahead. Bitcoin slid 5% after Powell ruled out a US crypto reserve tool. 19/12/2024
Economy US Federal Reserve set to announce quarter-point cut to its key rate Federal Reserve officials on Wednesday will likely signal a slower pace of interest rate cuts next year compared with the past few months, which would mean that Americans might enjoy only slight relief from still-high borrowing costs for mortgages, auto loans and credit cards. 18/12/2024
Economy Economists react to ECB’s rate cuts: What’s next for monetary policy? The ECB cut rates by 25 basis points to 3%, dropping its commitment to keep policy “sufficiently restrictive” and signalling confidence in achieving its 2% inflation target. Economists expect gradual cuts to continue, with risks from trade tensions and geopolitical uncertainties looming. 13/12/2024
Economy UK economy unexpectedly shrinks in October for second straight month The figures come as a setback for the new Labour government and its pro-growth agenda. 13/12/2024
Markets Weekly recap: Stock market rally stalls amid bond market jitters Global markets saw a slide in weekly performance due to rising government bond yields, following the US inflation data release and the ECB’s hawkish rate cut. 13/12/2024
Economy Lagarde: ECB worried on growth but confident inflation is on track The ECB has cut rates by 0.25% to 3%, citing progress toward its 2% inflation target and warning of downside growth risks. Lagarde noted signs of slowing momentum and weak investment. A larger cut was debated, but consensus formed around 25 basis points. Policy remains data-driven. 12/12/2024