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LONDON: Lending to small businesses in Britain has fallen to its lowest since at least 2014 as companies and banks worry about the worsening economic outlook, according to a survey published on Monday. Only 9% of small firms sought finance in the first three months of this year, the lowest proportion since the Federation of Small Business began asking the question eight years ago. The share of firms that saw their applications approved was also at a record low of 43%, the FSB said. "Lenders pulling up the drawbridge for small firms will threaten our already faltering economic recovery," FSB National Chair Martin McTague said. The FSB surveyed 1,211 small business owners and sole traders in March and April. Earlier this month, the Bank of England warned of a sharp economic slowdown and possibly a recession with inflation set to peak above 10% later this year.- Reuters … [Read more...] about Lending to small businesses dries up as outlook darkens

Trust has always been an essential part of any business transaction—just ask the Quakers, who built business empires on the basis of fair business practices—but according to a new report from Salesforce, trust is becoming more important than ever before. Salesforce surveyed 13,020 consumers and 3,916 business buyers in 29 different countries to gain an understanding of changing customer expectations and behaviors. advertisement Some key findings include: Trust is becoming a key factor for consumers: 88% of consumers believe trust is more important in times of change, and 74% say communicating transparently is more important now than before the pandemic. Moreover, 68% said they trust companies that act with society’s best interests in mind—a 9% increase from 2020. Consumers crave the personal touch both online and offline: 88% of customers say the experience a company provides is just as important as its products and services, an 18% increase from 2020. … [Read more...] about Brands, take note: Your customers aren’t afraid to dump you if they lose your trust

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline North Korean leader Kim Jong Un blamed his own government officials for failing to tackle the country’s surging Covid-19 outbreak and ordered his military to step in as the number of suspected cases surged past 1.2 million in just four days since the outbreak was first reported. Key Facts According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the country reported 392,920 new people with “fever” and eight new deaths linked to Covid-19 on Monday. The state media is only reporting the number of cases with fever—one of many symptoms of Covid—as North Korea is believed to lack adequate supplies to carry out large-scale testing. Since the start of the current outbreak, North Korea has reported 50 deaths linked to the virus. At a Politburo meeting of the ruling party on Sunday, Kim blamed the “irresponsible work attitude” of his government and health officials for the country’s botched … [Read more...] about Kim Jong Un Slams ‘Irresponsible’ Government And Health Officials As North Korea’s Covid Outbreak Surges

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline North Korea reported 15 new Covid-19 deaths along with hundreds of thousands of new patients with “fevers,” as the country pledges to mobilize millions of health and other workers to fight its first officially acknowledged coronavirus outbreak. Key Facts According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the country reported 296,180 new infections on Sunday, pushing the country’s official case count to 820,620. The staggering surge in new cases has come after North Korea reported its first-ever Covid-19 outbreak on Thursday. Since the start of the current outbreak, North Korea has reported 42 fatalities linked to the coronavirus. The speed of the outbreak has raised concerns of a humanitarian catastrophe in the country as most of its residents are believed to be unvaccinated and its public health system is reportedly in a poor state. To help tackle the outbreak, all … [Read more...] about Covid Rips Through North Korea As 15 More Deaths And Nearly 300,000 New Cases Reported

Stocks fell, with the three major U.S. indexes poised to close lower for the week, as major banks kicked off the fourth quarter earnings season with mixed results and December retail sales were lower than expected. Key Takeways Stocks are lower with the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq poised to drop for the week. Retail and food sales sank 1.9% in December, the biggest drop in 10 months. Banks reported mixed earnings, and JPMorgan is the worst-performing Dow and S&P 500 stock after it reported trading revenue fell. Banks and Retail Stocks Fall, Energy Gains The Dow is down more than 300 points, nearly a full percent, and the S&P 500 is about 0.5% lower. The Nasdaq's earlier gains have reversed and that index is down about 0.2%. JPMorgan Chase & Co. ( JPM ) is the worst-performing stock in both the Dow and S&P 500 after reporting a fourth-quarter loss, and net interest margin that came in below analysts' consensus estimates. Shares of … [Read more...] about Stocks Fall as Bank Shares Drop and December Retail Disappoints

U.S. equity markets are mixed following strong earnings from Amazon.com, Inc. ( AMZN ) that lifted the Nasdaq while a blowout jobs report pushed bond yields higher by fueling fears of bigger interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve. Key Takeaways Tech shares are rising, boosted by Amazon and Snap, as the Nasdaq aims for its first weekly gain this year. A blowout jobs report pushed bond yields higher by fueling fears of bigger interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve. Crude oil's price surge continued, with the price crossing $93 per barrel. The Nasdaq , helped by Snap Inc. ( SNAP ) and Amazon, is set for its first weekly close higher this year. The S&P 500 is also higher, while the Dow Jones is little changed. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note is skyrocketing nine basis points (BPS) to 1.92% after the Labor Department reported that many more jobs were created in January than expected (more below). That's prompting speculation that … [Read more...] about Markets Mixed as Amazon, Snap Fuel Tech, Dow Drops on Rate Worries

U.S. equity markets wavered to begin the new month, reflecting investors' uncertainty over issues ranging from the impact of corporate earnings to how Fed rate hikes will shape the economy this year. UPS Inc. ( UPS ) is the best-performing stock in the S&P 500 on its earnings news. Better-than-expected earnings are also lifting shares of Exxon Mobil Corp. ( XOM ). That’s boosting shares of other energy companies as well. Shares of cruise lines, airlines, and other travel-related companies are advancing on decreasing omicron variant case numbers. Key Takeaways U.S. equity markets wavered to begin the new month, with all three major indexes fluctuating between green and red. The quit rate fell for the first time since Dec. 2020. Ups and downs reflect investors' uncertainty over issues ranging from the impact of corporate earnings, Fed rate hikes, and ongoing supply chain and pandemic concerns. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note has widened and narrowed … [Read more...] about Stocks Fluctuate to Begin Month as Investors Digest Data, Earnings

Federal Reserve President Jerome Powell told Congress while the Fed still plans to hike interest rates to combat inflation, the economic impact from the invasion of Ukraine remains “highly uncertain,” and policymakers will need to be “nimble” in responding to new information. Key Takeaways Stocks are moving higher, gaining back ground lost yesterday, despite the Federal Reserve saying interest rates will move higher this month. ADP reported private-sector jobs jumped more than anticipated last month. Ford, Chevron, Hewlett-Packard Enterprises, and AutoZone are among companies gaining today. Solid economic and corporate news is edging stocks higher. All three major indices are up more than 1%, clawing back some of yesterday's losses. Almost all of the stocks in the Dow are rising. Shares of Chevron Corp. ( CVX ) and other energy companies are higher as the fighting in Ukraine increases concerns about disruptions in oil supplies. Oil futures reached the highest … [Read more...] about Market Wrap: Powell Sticks to Rate Hike, Ford Announces EV Move, AutoZone Soars

Stocks are falling after hiring in January blew past expectations, raising concerns that the Federal Reserve will lift interest rates aggressively to prevent the economy from overheating. The U.S. added 467,000 jobs last month, the Labor Department reported today. That crushed economists' expectations for 150,000 hires, driving stocks lower despite Amazon.com, Inc. ( AMZN ) gaining after a solid earnings report . Key Takeaways Stocks are falling for a second day after January hiring crushed expectations and raised concerns that the Federal Reserve will lift interest rates aggressively. Amazon is gaining around 10% and Snap more than 40% after reporting solid earnings growth. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note jumped past 1.9%, its highest in more than a year. Crude oil soared past $90 per barrel. The Dow Jones Industrial Average , S&P 500 , and Nasdaq indexes are all lower, following big declines in each yesterday. Crude oil soared past $90 per … [Read more...] about Stocks Drop as Blowout Jobs Report Increases Rate-Hike Jitters

Russia continues its military buildup at the Ukrainian border, NATO said , disputing Russia's claims that it's removing troops. The rally in U.S. stocks stopped, with major indexes slipping after yesterday's surges. Economists will be mining the minutes from the January FOMC meeting—due later today from the Fed—for clues as to how aggressive the central bank will act in its efforts to curb inflation. Key Takeaways Russia continues adding troops at the border, NATO said, disputing Russia's claims that it is removing troops. The rally in U.S. stocks halted, while oil climbed. Stock declines came despite stronger-than-expected January retail sales. Stocks surged yesterday, snapping a three-day losing streak, on indications tensions between Russia and Ukraine were easing. The Dow rose 1.2%, while the S&P 500 gained 1.6%, and the Nasdaq shot up 2.5%. Later today, the Federal Reserve will release minutes from its January policy meeting . Investors will look for … [Read more...] about NATO Disputes Russian Withdrawals, an Alarming Yield Curve, and More Moving Today’s Market