UK mortgage approvals rose unexpectedly in March, reaching a four-month high, while consumer credit logged its fastest growth since early 2024, official data showed Friday. The number of mortgages approved in March rose to 63,531 from 62,708 in the previous month, the Bank of England reported. Approvals were forecast to fall to 60,000.
UK house prices logged a faster growth in April despite geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and rising energy prices, data published by Nationwide Building Society showed Friday. House prices grew by more-than-expected 3.0 percent on a yearly basis in April, following an increase of 2.2 percent in March. Prices were expected to rise again by 2.2 percent.
Households across the UK are embracing solar power as the government accelerates its clean power mission to reduce the country's exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets following the outbreak of the Middle East war. New government data published Thursday shows that more than 27,000 solar installations...
The Bank of England left its key interest rate unchanged on Thursday but cautioned that there is a risk of material second-round effects from the energy price shock, caused by the war in the Middle East, which could lead to future rate hikes. The BoE Monetary Policy Committee, led by Governor Andrew Bailey, voted 8-1 to hold the bank rate at 3.75 percent.
European stocks were subdued near three-week lows on Thursday as investors watched the latest developments in the Middle East and awaited policy updates from the European Central Bank and the Bank of England. Alphabet, Amazon, Meta Platforms and Microsoft all beat earnings expectations, but there...
European stocks may tumble at open on Thursday as investors await the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Bank of England's (BOE) policy decisions and policymakers' assessment of the ongoing Middle East conflict. Both the ECB and BOE are expected to hold borrowing costs amid signs of mounting macro...
European stocks traded lower on Wednesday, extending losses from the previous session after the Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. President Donald Trump was unhappy with Tehran's latest proposal to end the war and has instructed aides to prepare for an extended blockade of Iranian ports. Fears...
European stocks are seen opening on a mixed note Wednesday as investors await big tech earnings and Fed Chair Jerome Powell's comments for insights into the economic impact of the Middle East conflict. The U.S.-Iran conflict showed little sign of resolution, with negotiations making limited progress...
Shares of bp plc were gaining more than 3 percent in the pre-market activity on the NYSE, as well as in London after the British Oil and gas major reported Tuesday higher replacement cost or RC profit in its first quarter. Sales were higher with increased upstream production. Meanwhile, the firm warned on sequentially lower production in second quarter, and weak upstream production in fiscal 2026.
European stocks were slightly higher in cautious trade on Tuesday as investors braced for big tech earnings and the upcoming Federal Reserve decision. On the geopolitical front, the Trump administration seemed unlikely to accept Iran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war, while...
European stocks are seen opening higher on Tuesday, though the upside may remain capped somewhat after reports suggested that U.S. President Donald Trump and his national security team are skeptical of Iran's offer of a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the two-month war, while setting aside...
European stocks were broadly higher on Monday after Wall Street's main indexes ended last week with new highs. As talks between the United States and Iran enter a new phase of uncertainty, media reports suggested that Iran has proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending the war while postponing...
European stocks look set to open higher on Monday after the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq 100 closed at fresh record highs on Friday on renewed optimism around artificial intelligence. U.S. equity futures ticked higher as optimism prevails for possible negotiations between the United States and Iran. After...
May 01, 2026 15:54 ET Central banks dominated the economics news flow this week with almost all major ones announcing their latest policy decisions and many boosted expectations for a rate hike in June. In other news, several countries released the preliminary data for first quarter economic growth. In the U.S., comments by Fed Chair Jerome Powell were also in focus as his term ends this month.