Labour minister says compressed hours could raise productivity; European stocks hit record high – as it happened
Live coverage of business, economics and financial markets as Jacqui Smith says four-day compressed hours could help people work
ECB mulls second interest rate cut as eurozone inflation falls to 2.2%
Drop to lowest level since 2021 may lead to cut in September though unemployment figures give cause for concern
Business live
US stocks rise on faster economic growth despite Nvidia nerves – as it happened
Live coverage as US GDP figures show faster economic growth but Nvidia share price falls in after hours trading
July 2024
Business live
Bank of England policymaker argues for holding interest rates until inflation pressures ease – as it happened
Live coverage of business, economics and markets as Jonathan Haskel says UK ‘inflation will remain above target for quite some time’
Eurozone inflation eases but ECB likely to keep interest rates on hold
Consumer prices slip to 2.5% but core rate stays high, prompting little belief in further cuts in borrowing costs
Business live
Port Talbot steel union suspends strike; French share prices jump after elections – as it happened
Live, rolling coverage of business, economics and financial markets as Unite suspends Tata Steel strike and Marine Le Pen’s National Rally set to be largest party in France
June 2024
Business live
‘Strong likelihood’ ECB is in dialling back phase, says Lagarde, after first rate cut since 2019 – as it happened
European Central Bank lowers borrowing costs for first time in almost five years, but won’t pre-commit to further cuts
European Central Bank cuts main interest rate by 0.25 points
ECB reduces rate to 3.75% across eurozone, putting it ahead of US Federal Reserve and Bank of England
European Central Bank expected to cut interest rates for first time in five years
European and Canadian central banks expected to cut interest rates this week
Europe must splash the cash (and seize it) to save 2024
Phillip Inman
May 2024
Business live
European Central Bank ready to cut interest rates; UK retail sales jump as inflation slows – business live
ECB policymakers indicates June rate cut is a done deal, while IT glitch which prevented some NatWest customers accessing accounts has been fixed
G7 leaders to discuss €30bn loan for Ukraine using Russian assets
Finance ministers will debate legality of using €270bn in frozen state assets as collateral for loan
Business live
Dow Jones Industrial Average hits 40,000 points for first time; UK reality TV stars charged over FX scheme – as it happened
Strong quarterly results and hope of interest rate cuts drive DJIA to new alltime high
April 2024
Business live
ECB leaves eurozone interest rates on hold but hints at cut this summer – as it happened
European Central Bank says rate cuts would be appropriate if inflation keeps falling, as BoE policymaker Megan Greene argues UK rate cuts are a way off
Business live
Thames Water parent ‘owes two Chinese state-owned banks’ as debt downgraded – as it happened
Live, rolling coverage of business, economics and financial markets as Fitch downgrades debt of parent of water company, saying default is likely
Business live
MP calls Royal Mail delivery cuts a ‘slap in the face for families’ – as it happened
Live, rolling coverage of business, economics and financial markets as UK postal service says it wants to cut 1,000 jobs and cut delivery days
March 2024
Business live
UK ‘fiscally offside’ by up to £60bn, Citi fears; house prices rise again – as it happened
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as economist warns OBR productivity forecasts are much too optimistic
February 2024
Business live
UK inflation steady in January; Uber to buy back $7bn in shares after first profit – as it happened
Live coverage of business, economics and financial markets as the UK consumer price index sticks at 4% below economists’ 4.2% forecast
January 2024
Hope fades for cut in interest rates for industrialised nations
US Federal Reserve expected to hold rate, ECB says talks on reductions premature and Bank of England could delay change until summer