Economic News
Bitcoin soars to all-time high despite claims of a bubble
Bitcoin soared past the $5,000 threshold on Thursday to hit a record high, having started 2017 at $966.
US crude stockpiles drop as refineries recover and domestic production falls, DoE says
US crude oil stockpiles dropped as refinery activity continued to recover from the impact of recent hurricanes and domestic oil production fell back.
North Korea issues fresh threat, says it's close to final goal
North Korea' foreign minister stoked renewed tensions in northeast Asia, saying the US president had set the region on a course towards war, adding that his country's nuclear weapons programme could never be a subject of negotiation and that Pyongyang was close to achieving a real balance-of-power with America.
Ofgem energy price cap could last through 2023
Downing Street's plan to freeze the cost of power to almost two-thirds of British households could potentially see energy regulator Ofgem cap standard variable tariffs to around 18m accounts until 2023.
UK housing market varying widely by region - RICS
The latest survey from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors showed the UK housing market continued to lack momentum in September as demand from new buyers and sales fell again and the shift in interest rate expectations contributed caution in a slowing market.
US producer prices pick up in September but match forecasts
Wholesale inflation picked up last month, especially on the services side of the economy.
Weekly US jobless claims dip despite hurricanes
US jobless claims retreated by slightly more than expected over the last reference week, although the government statisticians cautioned that hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria had impacted the claims data.
Brexit talks hit 'deadlock' over divorce bill, EU's Barnier says
The European Union's chief Brexit negotiator says talks with Britain have reached "deadlock" over the divorce bill but "decisive progress" could be made by Christmas.
National Living Wage cuts number of low-paid workers by 300,000
More than 300,000 low-paid Britons were given an added boost to their pay packets after former chancellor George Osborne's National Living Wage (NLW) scheme coalesced into the biggest year-on-year fall in low pay since 1977.
Deutsche Banks lifts Spain stocks to 'overweight', spies lower 'break-up' risk
On a related note, analysts at Deutsche Bank raised their recommendation on Spanish stocks from an 'underweight' to an 'overweight' as - in their opinion - the tail risks of a break-up of the country had faded.
UK lenders see sharp tightening of consumer credit in coming months
UK consumer credit growth is slowing and lenders expect the biggest decline in consumer credit availability since the financial crisis in the last three months of the year, a Bank of England survey revealed on Thursday.
Eurozone industrial production rises more than expected in August
Eurozone industrial production rose more than expected in August, according to data released by Eurostat on Thursday.