—>
Main Menu

Economy & Markets

Markets

US stocks rise on hopes of China trade thaw

London Stock Exchange
US stocks were boosted by indications that Beijing would ease its tariff policy and in particular that it would cut tariffs on US-made cars to 15%, the same tax levied onRead More

21-month low for retailers

Scottish shops face ‘nerve-wracking’ Christmas as sales slump

Multrees Walk, shop, retail, Edinburgh
Retailers are seeing sales slump (pic: Terry Murden)   Shoppers failed to offer the struggling high street any Christmas cheer as new figures showed a slump in sales last month.Read More

Pressures weigh on jobs market

Scottish unemployment falls to record low as UK wages rise

Jamie Hepburn
Jamie Hepburn: ‘creating the right economic environment’ (pic: Terry Murden)   Scotland’s unemployment rate fell to a record low of 3.7% over the last quarter, providing some positive news forRead More

'Severe economic shock'

100,000 Scottish jobs at risk if UK leaves EU with No Deal

Leaving the EU without a deal or transition period could cost Scotland 100,000 jobs, according to a new report. The Fraser of Allander Institute says the outlook for 2019 and beyondRead More

Confidence at lowest ever level

Small firms’ optimism at rock bottom ahead of crucial week

Andrew McRae has issued a plea to the Scottish Government
Andrew McRae: ‘Brexit is having a huge impact on business optimism   Small business optimism in Scotland has plummeted to its lowest ever level ahead of a crucial Brexit voteRead More

As court rules on withdrawal...

Confidence set to slide if MPs vote down May’s Brexit deal

Glasgow Business Park
Businesses are on tenterhooks ahead of the Commons vote   Rejection of the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal by Parliament tomorrow could see business confidence fall sharply, according to a newRead More

Markets

US jobs growth softens prospects for rate hike

London Stock Exchange
Expectations of a slowdown in America’s jobs juggernaut were confirmed with figures showing non-farm payrolls rose 155,000 in November against the 198,000 consensus forecast. Markets were left to ponder the nextRead More

Item Club's stark forecast

Warning to Mackay as Scotland’s growth to lag behind UK

Derek Mackay (at SNP conf)
Derek Mackay: facing prospect of slowing economy (pic: Terry Murden)   Scottish Finance Secretary Derek Mackay has been served a warning ahead of next week’s Budget that the economy’s goodRead More

Clean break expected next March

Financial officers say firms ‘unprepared’ for No Deal Brexit

Bruce Cartwright
A majority of finance professionals now believe a No Deal Brexit is either “very likely” or “quite likely”, though fewer than half have made preparations for it, according to a newRead More

Markets in freefall: FTSE 100 down 3%

21st century gains lost as global stock markets crash

London Stock Exchange
The FTSE 100 plummeted by 217.79 points or 3.15% to 6704.05 as investors took fright at growing US China tensions, Brexit uncertainty and slowing global growth.  It was the blue chipRead More