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☆ Bitcoin jumps while Japan holiday dulls most currencies
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The Bank of Japan left interest rates unchanged last week and indicated it was not in a hurry to hike them again. That decision, coming just days after the Fed's 50 basis points rate cut, put a pause to the yen's sharp gains this month. With Japan closed for Autumnal Equinox Day, the main driver of trade was expectations around further Fed rate cuts and the gains those have spurred in equities, commodity currencies and other risk assets. The Fed's rate cut "appears to have calmed market fears of a U.S. recession", Goldman Sachs said in a note. Meanwhile, the majority of economists polled by Reuters anticipate two more 25 bps rate cuts at the Fed's final two meetings this year.

Persons: Bitcoin, Goldman Sachs, Christopher Waller, Fumio Kishida, Takaichi —, —, Shigeru Ishiba, Shinjiro Koizumi, Junichiro Koizumi, Takaichi, pare Organizations: Federal, Bank of Japan, Japan, U.S, U.S ., FedWatch, Treasury, Reuters, House Republicans, Liberal Democratic Party, Barclays, The Bank of Locations: United States, Japan, U.S, The Bank of England

☆ European markets set to open higher following Fed cut; Bank of England rate decision in focus
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-19 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Bank of England in the City of London as economists and mortgage holders await this week's interest rate announcement on 28th July 2024 in London, United Kingdom. LONDON — European markets were poised to open higher as investors digested the U.S. Federal Reserve's first interest rate cut in four years and looked ahead to the Bank of England's rate decision later in the session. Back in Europe, investor attention is now turning to the Bank of England, with the central bank largely expected to hold rates steady at 5%. The Fed's jumbo rate cut is unlikely to impact the Bank of England, according to economists, as the central bank ratified its decision around lunchtime Wednesday, hours before the U.S. announcement. Also on Thursday, Norway's central bank will deliver its latest interest rate decision.

Persons: Germany's DAX, Tiina Lee, CNBC's Organizations: of England, City of, LONDON, . Federal, Bank of, FTSE, France's CAC, Fed, Bank of England, Citi UK Locations: City, City of London, London, United Kingdom, ., Trading, Asia, Europe, U.S, Norway's

☆ I quit my Big 4 accounting job to be a full-time entrepreneur. It's useful to have a stable job for as long as you can.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-14 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Macdonald, 32, quit his accounting job at PwC in 2016 to work on ManiLife full-time. I decided to accept a job at PwC, a Big Four accounting company, for a three-year graduate program. When the time came to return to my accounting job in September 2015, I gave up my peanut butter venture and returned to the UK. I had shelved my idea for a peanut butter brand to work at PwCI came up with the idea for ManiLife — my peanut butter company — living in Argentina. Having a stable job helped me get my business off the groundI think I left my PwC job at the right time.

Persons: —, Stu Macdonald, Macdonald, I'd, weren't, didn't, I've, I'm Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Wilmslow , England, PwC, Argentina, Córdoba, British

☆ Want to invest $50,000? Here are 5 ETFs to buy and hold, according to a wealth manager
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-05 | by ( Amala Balakrishner | In Amala-Balakrishner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

ETFs hold a collection of securities , like stocks or bonds, and so offer more diversification than a single asset. CNBC Pro asked Dennison for his top ETF picks that someone looking to invest $50,000 can buy and hold long-term. Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF Dennison says he's "very happy" with the Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF (AVDV-US). DFA Dimensional U.S. Small Cap Value ETF Another small-cap-focused ETF on Dennison's radar is the Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF (DFSV-US), which owns companies that are "in corners of the market that are harder to reach." The Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF is currently around 6% higher over the year to date.

Persons: Tariq Dennison, Dennison, he's, Spencer, Weizhen Tan, Ganesh Rao Organizations: Fidelity, GFM Asset Management, CNBC Pro, Value, U.S, Abercrombie, Fitch, Cadence Bank, Commercial Metals, JPM Global Equity, Global Equity, Arista Networks, Walmart, Deutsche Telekom, ASM International, Novo Nordisk, Vanguard Locations: U.S, Swiss, Dennison

☆ More than 100 business leaders including Wikipedia's Jimmy Wales sign open letter backing Britain's center-left opposition
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Labour's Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves gives a speech on the British economy ahead of the Bank of England monetary policy release on May 07, 2024 in London, England. LONDON — More than 100 business leaders on Tuesday voiced their support for the U.K.'s center-left opposition Labour Party, nearly five weeks before the country heads to the polls. The group, which includes Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales and former vice-chairman of JP Morgan Cazenove Charles Harman, said in an open letter to The Times newspaper: "We, as leaders and investors in British business, believe it is time for a change." The writers of the letter claim that the U.K. economy has suffered from a decade of stagnation amid a lack of both political stability and a long-term, consistent economic strategy. The Labour Party has "shown it has changed and wants to work with business to achieve the UK's full economic potential," they said.

Persons: Rachel Reeves, Jimmy Wales, JP Morgan, Charles Harman, Karen Blackett, Andrew Higginson Organizations: Bank of, Labour Party, The Times, WPP, JD Sports, British Retail, Tesco Bank, Heathrow Airport Locations: Bank of England, London, England

☆ Dollar holds firm as traders trim U.S. rate cut bets
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"The carry of holding dollars is far juicier," he said, while policymakers' rhetoric has also made traders nervous about inflation and the risk rate cuts would be distant or small. Traders have pushed out the timing of the first Fed rate cut to December. Thursday's business surveys from S&P Global supported the conviction among many traders that the Fed may keep rates higher for longer. But not for traders who are positioned for Fed cuts. Rates markets still price a near 90% chance the ECB cuts rates next month.

Persons: Martin Whetton, Matt Simpson, Sterling, Christopher Waller Organizations: U.S, Westpac, Federal, Traders, P Global, European Central Bank, Federal Reserve Locations: Sydney

☆ British retail sales plunge 2.3% in April, missing estimates
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

People walk in the rain over the London Bridge in central London on March 12, 2024. Lucy North - Pa Images | Pa Images | Getty ImagesLONDON — U.K. retail sales volumes dropped 2.3% in April as wet weather deterred shoppers, the Office for National Statistics said Friday. "Sales volumes fell across most sectors, with clothing retailers, sports equipment, games and toys stores, and furniture stores doing badly as poor weather reduced footfall," the ONS said. Sales were up 0.7% across the three months to April compared to the previous three months following a weak December and holiday season, but were down 0.8% year on year. watch nowKris Hamer, director of insight at the British Retail Consortium, pointed to bright spots in the data in cosmetics and computer sales.

Persons: Lucy North, Kris Hamer, Hamer, GfK Organizations: National Statistics, Reuters, British Retail Consortium, Bank of England's Locations: London

☆ A British retail firm is revealing interview questions in advance to help make its hiring process fairer
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Sawdah Bhaimiya | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Would you feel more prepared for job interviews if you knew which questions were going to be asked? John Lewis, a 160-year-old retail giant based in the U.K. with 80,000 employees, has revealed interview questions for job candidates on its website in advance to make the hiring process more equitable. Bullett explained that it will give candidates the opportunity to prepare and "confidently demonstrate what they can do." People are divided on whether this development is beneficial because there isn't a standardized process for interviews, Khyati Sundaram, CEO of recruitment platform Applied, told CNBC Make It. But she warned that revealing job interview questions in advance isn't a "silver bullet" and there are some caveats.

Persons: John Lewis, you've, Lorna Bullett, Bullett, Khyati Sundaram, Sundaram Organizations: John, CNBC

☆ Sony-backed computing startup heads for rare IPO in sidelined London stock market
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

British computing startup Raspberry Pi on Wednesday said it plans to list in London, in a rare win for the U.K. stock market. Raspberry Pi, which makes tiny single-board computers, is considering an initial public offering on the main market of the London Stock Exchange. The IPO is a win for the London stock market, which has been struggling to attract high-growth tech companies. A slew of major U.K. tech firms have chosen New York over London for their listings over the last year. Upton established Raspberry Pi in 2012 to make computing more accessible to young people, gaining traction among hobbyists and teachers in the early days.

Persons: Ocado, Eben Upton . Raspberry Pi, Upton, Raspberry Organizations: London Stock Exchange, Nasdaq, Sunday Telegraph, Sky News, Raspberry Pi Foundation, Sony, amortization Locations: London, New York, British

☆ What Wall Street finance bros should wear this summer
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

AdvertisementSo, Business Insider asked some style experts — and a finance bro — which brands and styles those on Wall Street should check out for their summer workwear. Men's fashion consultant Reginald Ferguson told BI that he wants his clients to remain "modern, yet classic" in their daily attire. Charles Tyrwhitt; Peter MillarPeter Millar and Charles Tyrwhitt were two brands suggested to BI by an early-career investment banker who asked to remain anonymous to protect his career. It's a "luxury golf brand that was smart to expand its line for its client to wear other garments while not on the course," Ferguson told BI. Kiton, another high-end brand with origins in Italy, is "the grail for the partner of the firm," Ferguson told BI.

Persons: —, Goldman Sachs, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos —, Lauren Sanchez —, bro, Reginald Ferguson, Peter Millar, Charles Tyrwhitt, Peter Millar Peter Millar, Ferguson, nodded, Nicole Pollard Bayme, Bayme, Billionaire Bill Gates, Larry Ellison, Richard Mille Organizations: Service, bros, JPMorgan, Citigroup, Business, BI, LA, Casio, Getty, Billionaire Locations: Silicon, British, Italy

☆ Brexit border checks: Britain braces for less choice and higher prices on food imports
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Hanna Ziady | Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

The new regime for food imports is perhaps the starkest example of the painful border bureaucracy that UK and EU businesses must contend with in the wake of Brexit. An additional cost of that scale will “significantly increase food prices and reduce choice,” the federation’s CEO Phil Pluck wrote in a letter to environment and food minister Steve Barclay earlier this month. But here too Brexit hasn’t helped, ending as it did the free movement of EU workers on whom British farmers had relied for decades. In addition to Brexit-related challenges, UK farmers have been squeezed by soaring input costs, including those of fertilizer, energy and labor. “I’m not hugely in favor of subsidies, I’m in favor of fair food prices,” Maddocks said.

Persons: Eddie Price, ”, Phil, Steve Barclay, Andrew Aitchison, Andrew Opie, “, Jack Bobo, “ It’s, Price, hasn’t, ” Tom Bradshaw, “ You’re, Chris Ratcliffe, Brexit, ” Philip Maddocks, I’m, ” Maddocks Organizations: London CNN, European Union, EU, Britain, Birmingham Wholesale, CNN, Chain Federation, British Retail Consortium, University of York, Food Systems, University of Nottingham, Birmingham Wholesale Market, Bank, National Farmers ’ Union, Bloomberg, Getty, PDM Locations: United Kingdom, Britain, France, Spain, artichokes, Italy, Birmingham, Dover, Port, Netherlands, Ireland, Germany, North Africa, England, Sandwich, Australia, New Zealand, English, Shropshire

☆ Big Biba: A look inside London’s famed 1970s fashion store
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-19 | by ( Zoe Whitfield | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

As the creative force behind the look of the wildly popular 1970s London fashion store Big Biba, Thomas knows a thing or two about engineering excitement. “An act of bravery”Interior designer Thomas had already designed Hulanicki and Fitz-Simon’s home and the third Biba store in 1968 before being approached about the landmark seven-level store. “Fitz offered me two floors (of Big Biba) but I wanted it all,” he recalled of his initial involvement. Tim WhiteWhile Wintour’s shopgirl life was short-lived, Big Biba’s staff were a vital component of the experience remembered Thomas. In 1969, the independent company sold a majority of its shares to another British fashion retailer Dorothy Perkins which, in August 1973 (a month before Big Biba opened), was then bought by a property development company called British Land.

Persons: CNN —, ”, Steven Thomas, Thomas, Barbara Hulanicki, Stephen Fitz, Simon —, Andy Warhol, Marcel Hennequet, “, “ David Bowie, Mick Jagger, Bryan Ferry, John Bishop “ Fitz, Ian Dury, Fitz, Simon, Singer Annie Lennox, Doreen Spooner, Daily, Martin Pel, Mary Quant, Anna Wintour, —, York’s Bergdorf Goodman, Simon’s, “ Fitz, Tim, Whitmore, Tim White, “ Biba, Barbara, Ken Russell’s, Biba, Hulanicki, Buckingham, Kasia, Dorothy Perkins, Pel Organizations: CNN, New York Dolls, Shoppers, Textile Museum, Street, Disney, Big, Buckingham Palace Locations: London, Kensington

British electronics chain Currys experienced more rejection Friday with Chinese online retailer JD.com walking away from a takeover race for the firm, just days after Elliott Investment Management did the same. In a brief statement Friday afternoon, JD.com said it would no longer pursue an offer for the Main Street brand, less than a month after entering the running. "JD.com today confirms that, following careful consideration, it does not intend to make an offer for Currys," it said. Currys shares plunged more than 10% on the announcement, before paring losses slightly. The electronics retailer, which operates more than 820 stores across eight countries, has become the subject of a possible takeover as it has struggled in the face of increased competition and depressed consumer spending.

Persons: JD.com, Currys Organizations: Elliott Investment Management Locations: London

☆ British retailer Currys drops 10% after U.S. investment firm Elliott pulls out of takeover race
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Matt Clinch | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

LONDON — Elliott Investment Management said Monday it had decided not to make another takeover bid for British electrical retailer Currys after repeatedly being rejected. Shares of Currys were down 10% in early deals Monday after the news. The U.S. investment firm, via its affiliate Elliott Advisors, said Monday that following "multiple attempts to engage with Currys' Board, all of which were rejected," it was not making an improved offer for the U.K. company.

Persons: Currys Organizations: Elliott Investment Management, Elliott Advisors, . Locations: U.S

☆ British retail rebound provides some hope for recession-hit economy
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

(Photo by Alberto Pezzali/NurPhoto via Getty Images)LONDON — Stronger-than-expected January retail sales provided a glimmer of light for the struggling British economy on Friday — and suggest that the country's recession will be short-lived, according to some economists. Sales rebounded by 3.4% from December, according to the Office for National Statistics, the strongest monthly gain since April 2021. The latest figures follow the news of Thursday that the British economy entered a technical recession in the final quarter of 2023. British retail sales meanwhile remain 1.3% below their pre-pandemic level from February 2020, according to the ONS. Kris Hamer, director of insight at the British Retail Consortium, said two months of higher sales volumes over the last three months were "promising" after 19 months of decline.

Persons: Alberto Pezzali, Joe Maher, Maher, —, Kris Hamer, Hamer, Kallum Pickering, Pickering Organizations: Charing Cross, Getty, Office, National Statistics, Reuters, Gross, Capital Economics, British Retail Consortium Locations: Charing, London, England, –

☆ 'The shooting has to stop': World's biggest shipping company pleads with Congress to help end Houthi Red Sea chaos
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Ralby stressed the crisis in the Red Sea is not just a U.S. problem, but recent attacks by the U.S. military have led to greater targeting of its vessels. After those attacks, Maersk announced it would no longer be transiting the Red Sea. MSC announced on December 17 that it would divert its services that would typically transit the Red Sea and the Suez Canal around the Cape of Good Hope. Sailing around the Cape of Good Hope to avoid the Red Sea adds one to two weeks to a one-way shipping journey relative to the Red Sea and Suez Canal. Rising freight costs were a big component of inflation during Covid and the Red Sea crisis has renewed fears that another bout of supply chain-triggered inflation could occur.

Persons: Ralby, Ian Ralby, Darr, Charles, Bud, Salud Carbajal, Biden, Hapag Lloyd, Bab, Good Hope, Jon Gold, Phillips, Ralph Lauren, Levi Strauss, Gold Organizations: U.S, Mediterranean Shipping Company, U.S . Navy, Coast Guard, Maritime Transportation, MSC, Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Maersk, Maersk Detroit, Maersk Chesapeake, Navy, Intelligence, Suzuki, Volvo, Michelin, Ikea, National Retail Federation, Bank of America, Van Heusen Corporation, Birkenstock, Capri Holdings, Nike, Corp Locations: Suez, Ismailia, Egypt, Yemen, U.S, Iran, Gulf, Aden, Maersk, Good, Europe's, Asia, Europe, Vietnam

Attacks on ships in the Red Sea are delivering another shock to global trade, coming on top of pandemic-related logjams at ports and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The normal route — three weeks via the Suez Canal — has been shut down by the Houthi attacks. Chief executive Stuart Machin said the Red Sea trouble was “impacting everyone and something we’re very focused on." For Europe, the impact is even bigger: 40% of clothes and 50% of shoes traverse the Red Sea. Norwegian fertilizer giant Yara said it was “only mildly impacted by the transit challenges in the Red Sea."

Persons: What’s, Ryan Petersen, Petersen, It’s, Clifton Broumand, Broumand, —, ”, “, it’s, Tesla, Spencer, Stuart Machin, Steve Lamar, Lamar, Flexport, Katheryn Russ, Davis, Judah Levine, Freightos, it's, Russ, Obama, Carlos Tavares, Stellantis, Jan Hoffmann, Frank Conforti, Conforti, ____ Anderson, Kelvin Chan, Anne D'Innocenzio, Yuri Kageyama, Tom Krisher, David McHugh Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, Hamas, Machine, Volvo, Suzuki Motor Corp, American Apparel & Footwear Association, University of California, U.S . Federal Reserve, BMW, Retailer, Free People, AP Business Locations: Belgium, Germany, British, Maryland, Asia, Ukraine, Yemen, Gaza, Europe, United States, Suez, Africa, “, Panama, Greater Landover , Maryland, Taiwan, China, Los Angeles, Berlin, Swedish, Ghent, Hungary, Japan, U.S, overcapacity, Red, Israel, India, New York, London, Tokyo, Detroit, Frankfurt

☆ Attacks on ships in the Red Sea are disrupting global trade. Here’s how it could affect what you buy
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Attacks on ships in the Red Sea are delivering another shock to global trade, coming on top of pandemic-related logjams at ports and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The normal route — three weeks via the Suez Canal — has been shut down by the Houthi attacks. Chief executive Stuart Machin said the Red Sea trouble was "impacting everyone and something we're very focused on." For Europe, the impact is even bigger: 40% of clothes and 50% of shoes traverse the Red Sea. Norwegian fertilizer giant Yara said it was "only mildly impacted by the transit challenges in the Red Sea."

Persons: It's, Petersen, Ryan Petersen, Clifton Broumand, Broumand, it's, Tesla, Spencer, Stuart Machin, Steve Lamar, Lamar, Flexport, Katheryn Russ, Davis, Judah Levine, Freightos, Russ, Obama, Carlos Tavares, Stellantis, Jan Hoffmann, Frank Conforti, Conforti Organizations: Galaxy, Houthis Media, Getty, Machine, Hamas, Volvo, Suzuki Motor Corp, American Apparel & Footwear Association, University of California, U.S . Federal Reserve, BMW, Retailer Urban Outfitters, Free People Locations: Iran, Yemen, Anadolu, Greater Landover , Maryland, Taiwan, China, Gaza, Panama, Asia, Europe, United States, Suez, Africa, Ukraine, Belgium, Germany, British, Maryland, Los Angeles, Berlin, Swedish, Ghent, Hungary, Japan, U.S, overcapacity, Red, Israel, India

☆ Grim retail sales suggest possible recession for Britain
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Shoppers walk past shops on Regent Street on the final weekday before Christmas in London on December 22, 2023. Britain's economy unexpectedly shrank in the third quarter and flatlined in the previous three months, official data showed Friday, raising fears of a recession before an election due next year. The Office for National Statistics said sales volumes fell by 3.2% during the key trading month, after a 1.4% rise in November. Volumes were 0.9% lower in the three months to December 2023, compared with the previous quarter. Trade body British Retail Consortium said that the figures "capped a difficult year for retailers" and showed that Black Friday sales ate into Christmas spending.

Persons: HENRY NICHOLLS, Alex Kerr, Kerr Organizations: Getty Images, National Statistics, Reuters, ONS, Capital Economics, Trade, British Retail Consortium Locations: London, AFP

☆ Red Sea attacks already bigger issue for supply chain than pandemic, maritime advisory warns
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The strikes are a response to attacks on the Red Sea, adding complexity to the regional conflict originating from Israel's Gaza war. With that exception, "This [the Red Sea crisis] is the largest single event – even larger than the early pandemic impact," Murphy said. Sea-Intelligence analyzed current vessel delays compared to delays over the last several years in a report for clients. A leading ocean supply chain advisory firm is warning that the disruptions to shipping from the Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea are already more damaging to the supply chain impact than the early Covid-19 pandemic. "Threats to Red Sea shipping are a threat to maritime commerce worldwide," said Steve Lamar, CEO of the American Apparel and Footwear Association.

Persons: Luis Boza, Alan Murphy, Murphy, Hope, Steve Lamar Organizations: Getty, Intelligence, MSC, Volvo, Michelin, Ikea, American Apparel and Footwear Association, Logistics, CNBC Locations: Lisbon, Portugal, U.S, Yemen, Red, Gaza, Suez, Good Hope, Europe, United States, Asia

☆ Fears of prolonged Red Sea shipping crisis fuel inflation fears, as oil, retail cargo delays rise
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

"If so, we expect the soaring freight rates and equipment shortage will continue till the third quarter," it advised clients. This would be on top of the revenue lost by diverted container vessels which are required to pay between $500,000-$600,000 per transit. "However, given the longer transit times vessels are experiencing, the market may face a shortage of empties across Asia until sailings normalize." Evelyn Fornes, Home Depot spokeswoman, said it is working with logistics carriers to find alternate routes to limit any impact from the Red Sea conflict. East Coast freight rates soar While freight rates for U.S. West Coast ports have yet to spike, freight rates for the East Coast and Gulf are up.

Persons: Folden, Shell, Jean, Charles Gordon, Nyttingnes, Torm, Euronav, Tom, Hafnia, Andy Lipow, Kuehn, Nagel, Ami Daniel, Goetz Alebrand, Stephen Schwarz, Paolo Montrone, Kuehn + Nagel, Alan Baer, Baer, Evelyn Fornes, Fornes, Lane Organizations: Galaxy, Houthis Media, Getty Images, Anadolu, Getty, U.S, Clarksons Securities, Honour Lane Shipping, Wall Street, Shell, Suez, Authority, Lipow Oil Associates, Logistics, CNBC, DHL Global, Asia Pacific, Kuehn, USA, Home, Costco, Walmart, Home Depot, Volvo, Michelin, Ikea, East, U.S . Locations: Iran, Yemen, Anadolu, Hafnia, Ardmore, Suez, Israel, Americas, Asia, Europe, Wells Fargo, Red, U.S, East Coast, U.S . West Coast, Gulf, East, West, West Coast

European markets closed lower Thursday after U.S. inflation came in above expectations. After a choppy session, the regional Stoxx 600 index finished 0.77% lower, with all sectors in the red. December's U.S. inflation report showed an increase in consumer prices of 0.3% on the month and 3.4% year-on-year. "While the critical core inflation measure, which strips out volatile items such as food and energy, continues to ease from its highs, the downward trend in this measure also appears to have stalled. U.S. stocks also turned lower on Thursday morning as Wall Street digested the inflation data and the start of the fourth-quarter earnings season.

Persons: Spencer, Dow Jones, Matthew Ryan Organizations: Bank, Marks, Tesco, Investors, Federal Reserve, Nikkei Locations: U.S, Asia

☆ He Bought a Piece of the Chrysler Building. Now His Empire Is Falling Apart.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Eliot Brown | Margot Patrick | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

René Benko’s company Signa is filing for insolvency, casting uncertainty over a property empire that includes a stake in upscale British retailer Selfridges. Photo: georg hochmuth/Agence France-Presse/Getty ImagesThe property slump sweeping the globe has claimed a new high-profile victim: René Benko, an Austrian-born retail and department-store magnate who also co-owns New York’s Chrysler Building. Benko’s main holding company, Signa Holding, said Wednesday it is filing for insolvency in Austria. The move, similar to U.S. bankruptcy procedure, puts billions of dollars of company debt at risk and casts uncertainty over a property empire that includes stakes in the largest department store chains in Europe, upscale British retailer Selfridges and a now-stalled Hamburg tower that would have been among the tallest in Germany.

Persons: René, Signa, georg hochmuth Organizations: Selfridges, Agence France, Chrysler, Signa Locations: Austrian, Austria, Europe, Hamburg, Germany

Brokerage TD Cowen lowered its U.S. holiday spending estimate to 2% to 3% growth, from 4% to 5%, as it forecast flat Black Friday traffic. With many consumers squeezed by persistent inflation and high interest rates, U.S. holiday spending is expected to rise at the slowest pace in five years. A record 130.7 million people are expected to shop in stores and online in the U.S. on Black Friday this year, the National Retail Federation (NRF) estimates. In France, Italy, and Spain, most shoppers planned to buy clothing on Black Friday, with electronic goods coming second, according to a PwC survey. Thanksgiving Day discounts online peaked at about 28% for toys, while electronics had discounts as steep as 27%, Adobe said.

Persons: Shannon Stapleton, Cowen, Theresa Forsberg, “ It’s, ”, Jill Lizzo, she’s, “, I’m, Lizzo, PwC, hasn’t, Naomi Ojomo, Jeff Gennette, Barbie, John Roberts, Apple AirPods, Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom, Oscar de, Katherine Masters, Arriana McLymore, Helen Reid, Mimosa Spencer, Corina Pons, James Davey, Siddharth Cavale, Arriana, Deboarh Sophia, David Gaffen, Miral Fahmy, Nick Zieminski, Frances Kerry Organizations: Black, REUTERS, Shoppers, National Retail Federation, Insider Intelligence, Barclays, Macy's, Adobe Analytics, Adobe, Walmart, Argos, PlayStation, Apple, Thomson Locations: Westbury , New York, U.S, RALEIGH, N.C, New Milford , Connecticut, . U.S, Harlem, Manhattan, France, Italy, Spain, Zara, Canary Wharf, London, British, Paris, Madrid, New York, Raleigh , North Carolina, Bengaluru

☆ UK retail sales slide again in October in new blow for economy
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Andy Bruce | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Nov 17 (Reuters) - British retail sales volumes fell unexpectedly in October as stretched consumers stayed at home, official data showed on Friday in a new warning sign for the economy. Retail sales volumes dropped 0.3% month-on-month, following a revised 1.1% decline in September that was worse than first estimated, the Office for National Statistics said. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast that sales volumes would rise by 0.3% on the month in October. Overall the figures fitted with the darkening outlook for Britain's economy, with economic growth stagnant and strong price pressures now fading, albeit slowly. The figures also showed a small downward revision in retail sales for the third quarter.

Persons: Phil Noble, Spencer, James Davey, William James Our Organizations: Shoppers, REUTERS, National Statistics, Reuters, Investors, Bank of England, Retailers, Britain, Tesco, Thomson Locations: Altrincham, Britain

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