U.S. non-farm payroll data

In September 2024, the U.S. economy saw a significant increase in job additions, substantially surpassing expectations and contributing to a robust employment landscape as the unemployment rate declined, according to the U.S. Labor Department’s report issues Friday 4th October 2024. U.S. Non-farm payroll numbers rose by 254,000 in September 2024,Read More →

Tax black hole

Tax Reforms Increase in VAT: Adjusting the Value Added Tax (VAT) rate could generate substantial revenue. Pension Tax Relief: Limiting pension tax relief to the basic rate of income tax could raise around £15 billion per year. Pension tax relief raid. Windfall Tax: Increasing the windfall tax on the profitsRead More →

Super rich

According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has overtaken Jeff Bezos as the world’s second-richest person Zuckerberg’s wealth surged by $78 billion in 2024, a rise unmatched by any other member of the index’s 500 richest individuals, thanks to his 13% stake in Meta. Throughout the year,Read More →

Chatbot with celebrity voices

Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has announced that voices of Dame Judi Dench and John Cena will be available as options for its AI chatbot. Moreover, users can access information through AI representations of celebrities such as Awkwafina, Keegan-Michael Key, and Kristen Bell. Meta is hopeful that this newRead More →

Tesla EV

Tesla posted its third-quarter vehicle production and deliveries report on Wednesday 2nd October 2024 – the stock fell 3.7%. Total deliveries Q3 2024: 462,890 – Total production Q3 2024: 469,796 Analysts had projected Tesla would deliver 463,310 vehicles by the end of September 2024. However, other sources indicated a larger shortfall; the averageRead More →

AI microchips

Chinese firms are reportedly intensifying their efforts to develop a competitive alternative to Nvidia’s AI chips, as part of Beijing’s ongoing initiative to reduce its reliance on U.S. technology. China faces several challenges that are impeding its technological progress, including U.S. export restrictions that limit domestic semiconductor production. The lackRead More →

Crypto

Cryptocurrencies fell on Tuesday evening 1st October 2024, with Bitcoin retreating to the $60,000 level following an unstable beginning to what is typically one of its best performing months. Shares associated with digital currencies also fell in after-hours trading. Crypto exchange Coinbase saw a decline of about 1%, and MicroStrategyRead More →

Believe in yourself

Muhammad Ali – (Cassius Clay) 1942 – 2016 He was an American professional boxer, activist, spokesperson for civil rights and entertainer. Nicknamed “the Greatest“, he is regarded as one of the most significant sports figures of the 20th century and is often regarded as the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time. CONCEIVE – BELIEVE –Read More →

Property China stock up

Shares of many Chinese property stocks listed in Hong Kong soared to their highest levels in more than a year, propelled by the ongoing stimulus rally in China The real estate sector emerged as the top performer in the Hang Seng Index on Wednesday 2nd October 2024. Chinese stocks experiencedRead More →

Financial trading app

Freetrade acquires Stake’s UK customer base, increasing domestic presence amid intense competition with similar apps such as Robinhood The British retail investment platform Freetrade is set to acquire the UK customer base of its Australian competitor Stake, highlighting the growing competition in the UK’s digital investment sector. The acquisition, initiallyRead More →

Crypto exchange

The retail investment platform Robinhood has announced the introduction of cryptocurrency transfers in and out of its app for European customers As part of its international expansion efforts, the company aims to enhance its product offerings in the region. According to a blog post-dated Tuesday 1st October 2024, Robinhood willRead More →

CPI data Germany

In September 2024, the German consumer price index softened to 1.8%, falling below expectations based on preliminary data from Destatis, the national statistics office. Month-on-month, the preliminary harmonized CPI saw a slight decrease of 0.1%. According to recent analysis, the last instance of the German harmonized CPI falling below 2%,Read More →

Anne Frank Diary

Anne Frank 1929 – 1945 Annelies Marie “Anne” Frank, 1929 – 1945 was a German-born Jewish girl who authored a diary that chronicled her family’s life while concealed during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. The renowned diarist, Anne Frank, detailed daily existence from their secret refuge in an Amsterdam attic. Frank kept andRead More →

Bank of England ex-governor

Lord Mervyn King, the former Governor of the Bank of England, has been a prominent voice in the ongoing debate about interest rates and inflation. His insights are particularly valuable given his extensive experience in central banking and economic policy King has been critical of the Bank of England’s approachRead More →

UK growth lower

The UK’s economic growth for the period between April and June 2024 was lower than initially estimated, as reported by the ONS The Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which quantifies the economic activity of companies, governments, and individuals within a country, increased by 0.5%, a revision from the preliminary figure ofRead More →

U.S. Core PCE inflation measure

In August 2024, U.S. inflation edged closer to the Federal Reserve’s target, potentially paving the way for future reductions in interest rates, according to a report from the U.S. Commerce Department released Friday 27th September 2024 The personal consumption expenditures price index (PCE), which is the Fed’s preferred gauge forRead More →

Tech stocks up China

Chinese technology stocks, such as the previously underperforming Alibaba, have surged this week, reaching peaks not observed in over a year The stock surge follows the announcement of stimulus measures by China’s central bank to boost the world’s second-largest economy. On Thursday 26th September 2024 in the U.S., Alibaba’s sharesRead More →

China stocks up

Chinese stocks continued to rise following state media reports that China’s top leaders have endorsed the government’s recent measures to bolster their economy. The CSI 300 index in Mainland China continued its rally for a seventh consecutive day, reaching its highest point in about four months, subsequent to a meetingRead More →

U.S. consumer

In September 2024, consumer sentiment plummeted, marking the most significant drop in over three years, driven by escalating concerns over employment and business conditions, according to a report by the Conference Board released on Tuesday 24th September 2024. The consumer confidence index reportedly fell to 98.7 from 105.6 in AugustRead More →

UK luxury shopping

Labour’s proposal to dismantle the UK’s non-dom tax system may lead to an exodus of the ultra-wealthy, as advisors and research bodies have cautioned. Switzerland, Monaco, Italy, Greece, Malta, Dubai, and the Caribbean are becoming popular relocation destinations, sensing the apprehension among affluent investors. Meanwhile, London’s super-prime real estate marketRead More →