Economic News
FX round-up: Sterling ends mixed after second Scotland independence vote worries abate
Sterling put in a mixed turn on key crosses Monday with this morning's weakness versus the US dollar recouped after worries about a second Scottish independence referendum stoked in the weekend press abated.
Brexit fallout leaves BMW considering alternatives for Mini plant
Britain's decision to leave the European Union is a factor in BMW's doubts over whether to make electrically-powered Minis in its Oxford factory.
London close: FTSE ends higher as resources-led gains trump insurers' falls
Stocks in London ended Monday a little higher with gains among a resources-rich sweep of sectors beating falls in insurers and commercial property as the Tory rush to trigger Brexit hit another speed wobble in the form of Scottish indpendence.
Trump to push for huge increase in US military spending, defence stocks spike
US President Donald Trump plans to push ahead with a budget that includes a £54bn, or 9%, rise in spending on armed forces, with an equivalent cut for spending on domestic agencies.
Commodities: Gold a snip ahead as markets look to Trump soapbox before Congress
Gold futures are a snip higher and sitting just below resistance as global markets anticipate US President Donald Trump's soapbox address to Congress on Tuesday, and also mull potential US Federal Reserve interest rate hikes this year.
US homebuying activity hits skids in January on lack of supply
A leading indicator of homebuilding activity in the States weakened unexpectedly at the turn of the year, especially in the Midwest and West and almost returning to its levels of a year ago nationwide.
US durable goods orders up 1.8% in January
US durable goods orders rose a little more than expected in January, according to data from the Commerce Department, almost entirely on the back of a surge in commercial aircraft orders.
Comment: What are the chances for Marine Le Pen's Frexit plan for France?
By Ipek Ozkardeskaya, senior market analyst at London Capital Group.
UK consumer confidence crawls higher despite growing inflation concern
Consumer confidence improved slightly in the UK in February despite increasing worries about inflation, European Commission data revealed on Monday, while eurozone economic sentiment remained broadly flat.
Warren Buffett praises effect of immigration on US economy
Billionaire investor Warren Buffett has heaped praise on the contribution of immigrants to the US economy, and expressed confidence that American companies will continue to grow in years to come.