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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2017/aug/24/pound-dips-again-ahead-of-uk-gdp-figures-business-live
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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Pound steadies and shares edge higher ahead of UK GDP figures - business live | Pound steadies and shares edge higher ahead of UK GDP figures - business live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 9.26am BST | |
| 09:26 | |
| Spain's economy continues strong growth | |
| Spain’s economy grew by 0.9% in the second quarter compared to the first, new figures have confirmed. | |
| This is a rise from 0.8% in the first quarter and equates to annual growth of 3.1%. Geoffrey Minne at ING said: | |
| Spanish growth is not only strong and impressive, but it also seems to be on a more sustainable footing than it was before the housing crisis. The combination of strong domestic demand and a positive contribution of external demand should lead GDP growth to top 3% for a third consecutive year. To repeat this result in 2018, several political issues will need to be resolved, notably in Catalonia. | |
| 9.23am BST | |
| 09:23 | |
| French business confidence rises | |
| Earlier, a new report showed a rise in French business confidence, with morale in the industrial sector hitting a near ten year high. | |
| According to statistics office INSEE, the overall confidence index rose to 109 from 108 in July with the industrial figure rising from 108 to 111, its best level since December 2007. Economist Julien Manceaux at ING Bank said: | |
| Business climate indicators by INSEE showed another improvement for August this morning. The trend is led by manufacturing but confidence in the service sector remains very high. The main disappointing points in this release were the weaker hiring intentions shown in the service survey while future retail sales prospects declined strongly... | |
| All in all, this week’s surveys are an indication of the continuing recovery in France, especially in manufacturing. French growth – having slowed from 1.2% in 2015 to 1.1% in 2016 - is set to rebound to 1.5% in 2017. Afterwards, if the new Government can take profit from the accelerating recovery to implement reforms, GDP growth could accelerate towards 1.7% in 2018. | |
| 8.49am BST | 8.49am BST |
| 08:49 | 08:49 |
| Not expecting any revision to weak Q2 #UK #GDP but wouldn't be surprised if weak net #export performance continues https://t.co/Gt0O6y2TtD | Not expecting any revision to weak Q2 #UK #GDP but wouldn't be surprised if weak net #export performance continues https://t.co/Gt0O6y2TtD |
| 1. UK Q2 #GDP growth out today. Lots of focus on consumers & investment, but so far it's net trade & inventories combo that's been the drag. pic.twitter.com/LvXvTZsHiM | 1. UK Q2 #GDP growth out today. Lots of focus on consumers & investment, but so far it's net trade & inventories combo that's been the drag. pic.twitter.com/LvXvTZsHiM |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.52am BST | at 8.52am BST |
| 8.42am BST | 8.42am BST |
| 08:42 | 08:42 |
| The pound is struggling to hold up, as the uncertainty over the Brexit negotiations continues to weigh on the currency. | The pound is struggling to hold up, as the uncertainty over the Brexit negotiations continues to weigh on the currency. |
| Against the dollar - which has its own problems including Trump’s threat to shut down the US government if he doesn’t get funds for his Mexico wall - the pound has only managed to remain unchanged at $1.2798. Against the euro, after hitting eight year lows, it has edgd up 0.11% to €1.0851. | Against the dollar - which has its own problems including Trump’s threat to shut down the US government if he doesn’t get funds for his Mexico wall - the pound has only managed to remain unchanged at $1.2798. Against the euro, after hitting eight year lows, it has edgd up 0.11% to €1.0851. |
| But the imminent GDP figures could cause further ructions. Konstantinos Anthis at ADS Securities said: | But the imminent GDP figures could cause further ructions. Konstantinos Anthis at ADS Securities said: |
| The release of the Gross Domestic Product report is being seen as a risk event for the British currency. | The release of the Gross Domestic Product report is being seen as a risk event for the British currency. |
| Even though expectations are set for a steady reading it is unlikely that a stronger set of figures will help the pound recover. However, if there is a softer printing of the GDP report this would highlight the concerns about Britain’s future outside the European Union and this could lead to strong selling of sterling. With the pound trading just below the 1.2800 level this morning further pressure has the potential to take the price towards 1.2700. | Even though expectations are set for a steady reading it is unlikely that a stronger set of figures will help the pound recover. However, if there is a softer printing of the GDP report this would highlight the concerns about Britain’s future outside the European Union and this could lead to strong selling of sterling. With the pound trading just below the 1.2800 level this morning further pressure has the potential to take the price towards 1.2700. |
| Connor Campbell, financial analyst at Spreadex said: | Connor Campbell, financial analyst at Spreadex said: |
| Analysts are expecting the second quarter figure to come in unchanged at a paltry 0.3% – a surprise revision could make a bad week for the pound worse, or help the currency lift away from its recent lows. Also worth paying attention to is the quarterly preliminary business investment figure, which is forecast to fall from 0.6% in Q1 to 0.2% in Q2 – again, not exactly the kind of news sterling wants to hear right now. | Analysts are expecting the second quarter figure to come in unchanged at a paltry 0.3% – a surprise revision could make a bad week for the pound worse, or help the currency lift away from its recent lows. Also worth paying attention to is the quarterly preliminary business investment figure, which is forecast to fall from 0.6% in Q1 to 0.2% in Q2 – again, not exactly the kind of news sterling wants to hear right now. |
| 8.33am BST | 8.33am BST |
| 08:33 | 08:33 |
| European markets edge higher | European markets edge higher |
| It’s a tentative start for European markets but they are at least heading in the right direction, despite the continuing concerns about President Trump’s policies, North Korea, and some nervousness ahead of this week’s Jackson Hole meeting of central bankers. | It’s a tentative start for European markets but they are at least heading in the right direction, despite the continuing concerns about President Trump’s policies, North Korea, and some nervousness ahead of this week’s Jackson Hole meeting of central bankers. |
| The FTSE 100 is up 0.26% (although the mid-cap FTSE 250 is down 0.3% after the 32% slump in Dixons Carphone shares). | The FTSE 100 is up 0.26% (although the mid-cap FTSE 250 is down 0.3% after the 32% slump in Dixons Carphone shares). |
| Germany’s Dax is up 0.14 and France’s Cac has climbed 0.27%. | Germany’s Dax is up 0.14 and France’s Cac has climbed 0.27%. |
| 8.16am BST | 8.16am BST |
| 08:16 | 08:16 |
| Back with the UK car production figures: | Back with the UK car production figures: |
| 8.12am BST | 8.12am BST |
| 08:12 | 08:12 |
| UK car output jumps in July after seven months of decline | UK car output jumps in July after seven months of decline |
| Britain’s car manufacturers geared up production last month ahead of the summer shutdown and a number plate change in September. | Britain’s car manufacturers geared up production last month ahead of the summer shutdown and a number plate change in September. |
| According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), UK car output rose by 7.8% last month after seven successive months of decline. Exports grew by 5.3%. Car production has now passed the one million mark this year, although this is down 1.6% compared to the same time last year. Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: | According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), UK car output rose by 7.8% last month after seven successive months of decline. Exports grew by 5.3%. Car production has now passed the one million mark this year, although this is down 1.6% compared to the same time last year. Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: |
| UK car production lines stepped up a gear in July, as usual bringing forward some production to help manage demand ahead of September and routine summer factory shutdowns. As the timing and length of these manufacturing pauses can shift each year, market performance comparisons for July and August should always be treated with caution, but as long as the economic conditions at home and abroad stay broadly stable we expect new car production to remain in line with expectations for the rest of 2017. | UK car production lines stepped up a gear in July, as usual bringing forward some production to help manage demand ahead of September and routine summer factory shutdowns. As the timing and length of these manufacturing pauses can shift each year, market performance comparisons for July and August should always be treated with caution, but as long as the economic conditions at home and abroad stay broadly stable we expect new car production to remain in line with expectations for the rest of 2017. |
| Very wise to treat the figures with caution. | Very wise to treat the figures with caution. |
| On Wednesday the SMMT embarrassingly had to reissue its second quarter used car figures. It originally said used car sales had slumped by 13.5%. In a revision it said that was actually a mere 0.7% decline. It blamed “an issue” with an algorithm used to calculate the data. | On Wednesday the SMMT embarrassingly had to reissue its second quarter used car figures. It originally said used car sales had slumped by 13.5%. In a revision it said that was actually a mere 0.7% decline. It blamed “an issue” with an algorithm used to calculate the data. |
| 8.08am BST | 8.08am BST |
| 08:08 | 08:08 |
| Dixons Carphone shares lose a fifth of their value | Dixons Carphone shares lose a fifth of their value |
| BREAKING: | BREAKING: |
| Dixons Carphone shares have plunged 22% in early trading following its profit warning. | Dixons Carphone shares have plunged 22% in early trading following its profit warning. |
| The shares have now almost halved so far this year. | The shares have now almost halved so far this year. |
| 7.54am BST | 7.54am BST |
| 07:54 | 07:54 |
| A little more detail on the Jackson Hole central bank meeting, courtesy of RBC Capital Markets: | A little more detail on the Jackson Hole central bank meeting, courtesy of RBC Capital Markets: |
| The annual Jackson Hole Economic Symposium begins later tonight when the programme for this year’s gathering will be released (at 6pm local time, 1am UK time). The main address of interest to European markets, that of ECB president Mario Draghi, has already been confirmed by the ECB for 8pm (BST) on Friday evening. | The annual Jackson Hole Economic Symposium begins later tonight when the programme for this year’s gathering will be released (at 6pm local time, 1am UK time). The main address of interest to European markets, that of ECB president Mario Draghi, has already been confirmed by the ECB for 8pm (BST) on Friday evening. |
| For today, there is only one ECB speaker of note, Bank of Italy Governor Ignazio Visco, who will speak later this evening. | For today, there is only one ECB speaker of note, Bank of Italy Governor Ignazio Visco, who will speak later this evening. |
| 7.48am BST | 7.48am BST |
| 07:48 | 07:48 |
| Julia Kollewe | Julia Kollewe |
| Here’s our story on the Dixons Carphone profit warning: | Here’s our story on the Dixons Carphone profit warning: |
| Dixons Carphone has warned of a steep fall in profits this year, as customers hold on to their phones for longer after the weaker pound pushed up the price of new handsets. | Dixons Carphone has warned of a steep fall in profits this year, as customers hold on to their phones for longer after the weaker pound pushed up the price of new handsets. |
| In an unscheduled trading statement, the company said it expects profits in the range of £360 to 440m this year, down from £501m last year. Analysts had on average been forecasting a profit of £495m. | In an unscheduled trading statement, the company said it expects profits in the range of £360 to 440m this year, down from £501m last year. Analysts had on average been forecasting a profit of £495m. |
| Dixons said the UK mobile phone market had become tougher in the last few months. Due to currency fluctuations – including the sharp fall in the pound since last year’s Brexit vote – handsets have become more expensive, so people are keeping their phones longer before upgrading to a new model. | Dixons said the UK mobile phone market had become tougher in the last few months. Due to currency fluctuations – including the sharp fall in the pound since last year’s Brexit vote – handsets have become more expensive, so people are keeping their phones longer before upgrading to a new model. |
| Chief executive Seb James said: “We have seen an increased number of people hold on to their phones for longer and while it is too early to say whether important upcoming handset launches or the natural life cycle of phones will reverse this trend, we now believe it is prudent to plan on the basis that the overall market demand will not correct itself this year.” | Chief executive Seb James said: “We have seen an increased number of people hold on to their phones for longer and while it is too early to say whether important upcoming handset launches or the natural life cycle of phones will reverse this trend, we now believe it is prudent to plan on the basis that the overall market demand will not correct itself this year.” |
| More here: | More here: |
| 7.40am BST | 7.40am BST |
| 07:40 | 07:40 |
| Dixons Carphone warns on profits | Dixons Carphone warns on profits |
| One share likely to do badly when trading begins is Dixons Carphone. | One share likely to do badly when trading begins is Dixons Carphone. |
| The electronics and phone retailer has downgraded its profit expectations for the year, blaming tougher conditions in the mobile phone market, including peoply holding on to their phones for longer. | The electronics and phone retailer has downgraded its profit expectations for the year, blaming tougher conditions in the mobile phone market, including peoply holding on to their phones for longer. |
| It said profits were likely to be between £360m and £440m, down on the average forecast of £495m (according to Thomson Reuters). | It said profits were likely to be between £360m and £440m, down on the average forecast of £495m (according to Thomson Reuters). |
| The company’s chief executive tweeted: | The company’s chief executive tweeted: |
| Announcing Q1 trading and a change to forecasts today but importantly we’ve grown revenues, share and profitability in all core markets | Announcing Q1 trading and a change to forecasts today but importantly we’ve grown revenues, share and profitability in all core markets |
| But retail analyst Nick Bubb was not impressed: | But retail analyst Nick Bubb was not impressed: |
| The profit warning from Dixons Carphone (driven by the mobile phone business...) will go down like a lead balloon in the City today... https://t.co/olMI2rrMMa | The profit warning from Dixons Carphone (driven by the mobile phone business...) will go down like a lead balloon in the City today... https://t.co/olMI2rrMMa |
| 7.36am BST | 7.36am BST |
| 07:36 | 07:36 |
| European markets set for mixed opening | European markets set for mixed opening |
| It looks like being a caution start to trading for European markets: | It looks like being a caution start to trading for European markets: |
| Our European opening calls:$FTSE 7386 up 3$DAX 12174 down 0$CAC 5116 up 1$IBEX 10329 down 9$MIB 21599 down 21 | Our European opening calls:$FTSE 7386 up 3$DAX 12174 down 0$CAC 5116 up 1$IBEX 10329 down 9$MIB 21599 down 21 |
| 7.34am BST | 7.34am BST |
| 07:34 | 07:34 |
| Agenda: UK GDP and retail survey in focus | Agenda: UK GDP and retail survey in focus |
| Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of the latest news from the world economy, the financial markets, the eurozone and business. | Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of the latest news from the world economy, the financial markets, the eurozone and business. |
| Central bankers will be gathering at the Jackson Hole mountain resort in the US later for the start a symposium to discuss the key economic issues of the day. The big events will be on Friday, with European Central Bank president Mario Draghi and US Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen both due to speak. Markets are likely to be nervous ahead of any hints from either about their future policy, whether Draghi hints at an end to the bank’s bond buying programme or Yellen suggests further rate rises are on the way. | Central bankers will be gathering at the Jackson Hole mountain resort in the US later for the start a symposium to discuss the key economic issues of the day. The big events will be on Friday, with European Central Bank president Mario Draghi and US Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen both due to speak. Markets are likely to be nervous ahead of any hints from either about their future policy, whether Draghi hints at an end to the bank’s bond buying programme or Yellen suggests further rate rises are on the way. |
| Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets, said: | Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets, said: |
| The markets believe that the ECB is on course to begin tapering their stimulus program, and the only unknown is the timing of such measures. Whether Draghi likes it or not the ECB will have to cut back on stimulus simply because the outstanding bonds available to buy is diminishing rapidly, and the continued expansion in economic activity and factory growth points to a fairly resilient recovery in Europe. | The markets believe that the ECB is on course to begin tapering their stimulus program, and the only unknown is the timing of such measures. Whether Draghi likes it or not the ECB will have to cut back on stimulus simply because the outstanding bonds available to buy is diminishing rapidly, and the continued expansion in economic activity and factory growth points to a fairly resilient recovery in Europe. |
| The continuing rise in the euro - it is at an eight year high against the pound - causes problems for Draghi in terms of ending stimulus. Any hawkish hints from his Jackson Hole speech could see the euro rise further. | The continuing rise in the euro - it is at an eight year high against the pound - causes problems for Draghi in terms of ending stimulus. Any hawkish hints from his Jackson Hole speech could see the euro rise further. |
| Ahead of all that, today sees the latest revision to UK GDP. The economy grew by 0.3% in the second quarter, according to the initial estimate, up slightly from 0.2% in the first three months but lagging the likes of Germany. Hewson again: | Ahead of all that, today sees the latest revision to UK GDP. The economy grew by 0.3% in the second quarter, according to the initial estimate, up slightly from 0.2% in the first three months but lagging the likes of Germany. Hewson again: |
| Today’s second estimate will have the benefit of slightly more data to work with, however expectations are for an unchanged reading of 0.3%, with a moderate decline in business investment to 0.2% from 0.6%. | Today’s second estimate will have the benefit of slightly more data to work with, however expectations are for an unchanged reading of 0.3%, with a moderate decline in business investment to 0.2% from 0.6%. |
| Services once again are expected to make up the lion’s share of the expansion with 0.5%, as the weak pound prompts resilience from overseas visitors in the travel and leisure sector. | Services once again are expected to make up the lion’s share of the expansion with 0.5%, as the weak pound prompts resilience from overseas visitors in the travel and leisure sector. |
| The main puzzle remains around the divergence from private survey data, and the ONS numbers which have been uniformly negative. | The main puzzle remains around the divergence from private survey data, and the ONS numbers which have been uniformly negative. |
| For all of this year these independent surveys have been much more optimistic, from the likes of the CBI and the Markit, and quite frankly better when it comes to reporting the improvement in order books in terms of surging export markets, as well as rising employment levels in the sector. | For all of this year these independent surveys have been much more optimistic, from the likes of the CBI and the Markit, and quite frankly better when it comes to reporting the improvement in order books in terms of surging export markets, as well as rising employment levels in the sector. |
| There are also CBI retail sales figures for August, and in the US, weekly jobless claims. | There are also CBI retail sales figures for August, and in the US, weekly jobless claims. |
| We have already had a profit warning from Dixons Carphone, and UK car manufacturing figures, of which more shortly. | We have already had a profit warning from Dixons Carphone, and UK car manufacturing figures, of which more shortly. |
| As for the pound, it is currently at €1.0833 against the euro, down 0.06% on the day, and 0.13% lower against the dollar at $1.2781. | As for the pound, it is currently at €1.0833 against the euro, down 0.06% on the day, and 0.13% lower against the dollar at $1.2781. |
| The agenda: | The agenda: |
| 9.30 BST UK second quarter GDP | 9.30 BST UK second quarter GDP |
| 11.00 BST CBI retail figures | 11.00 BST CBI retail figures |
| 1.30 BST US weekly jobless claims | 1.30 BST US weekly jobless claims |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 7.57am BST | at 7.57am BST |