As the economy and wages improved in 2017, first-time homebuyers were finally moving back into the market — until that turned around again. Sky-high home prices and few low-priced listings took their toll on these buyers yet again. For those who did buy, they had to pony up and pay more money for less house. […]
Read morePresident Donald Trump’s plan for overhauling the U.S. tax system faced growing opposition from interest groups on Sunday, as Republicans prepare to unveil sweeping legislation that could eliminate some of the most popular tax breaks to help pay for lower taxes. Republicans who control the U.S. House of Representatives will not reveal their bill until […]
Read moreRelatively sanguine stock markets around the world, despite a fierce constitutional crisis raging in Spain, has left analysts contemplating why investor sentiment hasn’t been hit by Catalonia’s quest for independence. Spanish stocks rose 1.7 percent Monday morning despite the political unrest in Catalonia. Spain’s IBEX is only down by 0.7 percent since the independence referendum […]
Read moreCurrency, United States Finance
Catalan leader could face arrest and 30 years in prison for 'rebellion'
The ousted president of Catalonia’s pro-independence government could face arrest on Monday and up to 30 years in prison if found guilty of “rebellion.” Carles Puigdemont was deprived of power following the Spanish region’s declaration of independence Friday, after a month of escalating tensions with the national government in Madrid. Spain’s government has assumed direct […]
Read moreHeathrow Airport has launched an investigation after a memory stick containing confidential security information was found on a London street. The Sunday Mirror says a member of the public found the USB drive and turned it over to the newspaper. The device contained 76 folders, including information about the security measures used to protect Queen […]
Read moreAfter several bailout programs, the relationship between Europe and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) could be about to change dramatically. The euro zone is studying ways to improve the powers of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) — a fund that helps euro zone countries that need to borrow money — and for it to ultimately […]
Read moreCurrency, United States Finance
European markets set to open lower amid earnings; oil near 2-year peak
European stocks are set to open lower on Monday morning as investors monitored corporate earnings, while oil prices hovered near 2-year highs amid supply fears. Looking to the major bourses, the U.K.’s FTSE 100 is expected to open 27 points lower at 7,480, while the German DAX is set to start on a negative note, […]
Read moreAkzo Nobel, the Dutch maker of paints and coatings, confirmed on Monday it was in talks to buy U.S. coatings maker Axalta Coating Systems Ltd. Akzo said in a statement the companies were in “constructive talks” but there was no guarantee they would come to a successful conclusion. It said it would dispose of its […]
Read moreThe U.S. and the euro area economies — nearly one-third of global output — are currently continuing to grow at a pace which is not causing inflationary capacity pressures in labor and product markets. The Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank are, therefore, maintaining an exceptionally easy policy stance, while envisaging gradually rising credit […]
Read moreCurrency, United States Finance
Icelandic voters give center-left opposition narrow win in parliament
Icelanders voted in favor of a left-leaning four-party coalition in parliamentary elections, a final vote count showed Sunday, although it remained unclear who would get a mandate to form the next government. The left-leaning coalition of the Left-Green Movement, the Social Democrats, the Progressive Party and the Pirate Party won 32 seats in the 63-member […]
Read more