USD: US trade balance widens by 9.5%

The main release from America yesterday was the balance of trade figures. The deficit had been expected to widen from a downwardly revised $45.7 billion in June to $50.3 billion, but the figure actually came in at $50.1 billion. It was the highest trade gap for five...


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USD: manufacturing PMI smashes expectations

The dollar strengthened against a basket of currencies throughout yesterday, as trade tensions continue to rock the markets. The dollar is seen as a safe haven by investors – so they piled into it and sold emerging market currencies. However, the greenback’s moves...


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GBP: UK construction slows as optimism sags

Following disappointing manufacturing figures released on Monday, yesterday we saw the construction sector follow suit. In August, UK construction PMI fell to 52.9 from the previous month’s 14-month high. This was some way below the 55.0 the markets had been expecting...


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Will the unreliable boyfriend change his mind?

Bank of England governor Mark Carney has been described as an unreliable boyfriend in the past, primarily because of his lack of clarity over possible interest rate rise timings. However, it’s worth saying that he has also been described as ‘the outstanding central...


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