This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2017/nov/29/pound-two-month-high-brexit-bill-consumer-credit-mortgages-business-live

The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
Pound hits two-month high after £50bn Brexit bill reports – business live Pound rallies on £50bn Brexit bill hopes; US growth revised up – business live
(35 minutes later)
Bitcoin just smashed through $11,000, defying the doubters with their taunts about tulips....
wow - Bitcoin now through $11,000
Bitcoin is almost $3,000 up on the week already and we're only halfway through.
Despite its summer surge, the US hasn’t grown quite as fast as the eurozone over the last year.
It’s comfortably outpacing Britain, though....
US economic growth in Q3 revised up a touch. Running at 2.3%y/y compared to 2.5%y/y in the Euro Area and 1.5%y/y in the UK. pic.twitter.com/BjvlwLUCoq
Economists are cheering the news that America’s economy expanded by 3.3% (annualised) in the last three months.
This upward revision suggests the US is in decent shape.
Here’s some early reaction:
US Q3 GDP growth was revised up to 3.3% q/q (saar) - the strongest growth in 3 years. No sign of growth tapering off any time soon pic.twitter.com/Op4Pmrm7Sy
Just in: The US economy expanded 3.3% in Q3 (the hurricane quarter), up from 3.1% in Q2. Very strong growth that's a good sign for Trump as biz investment is picking up.https://t.co/00d9nD9E8W #economy
GDP revised up to 3.3% for Q3. It does make you wonder if we really do need tax reform. Economy has had two straight quarters of solid growth. Consumers spending. Market at all-time highs. Still maintain this is not all because of Trump but he can take a deserved victory lap.
BREAKING: America’s economy grew faster than expected in the third quarter of 2017.
Fresh figures from the Commerce Department shows that US GDP expanded at an annualised rate of 3.3% in July-September, up from a first estimate of 3.0%.
That’s equal to a quarterly growth rate of over 0.8% -- twice as fast as Britain’s 0.4% in Q3.
The new data shows that corporate profits boosted growth, jumping by 4.3% quarter-on-quarter.
Net trade also boosted growth, with exports up by 2.2% but imports down by 1.1%.
US GDP Revised Slightly Higher To 3.3% On An Annualized Basis In Q3 https://t.co/ZBUG1nXMr6 pic.twitter.com/TwCosgZlFv
Reaction to follow....
German bank Berenberg has raised their forecasts for UK growth over the next couple of years, on optimism that a hard Brexit can be avoided.German bank Berenberg has raised their forecasts for UK growth over the next couple of years, on optimism that a hard Brexit can be avoided.
They say:They say:
We raise our calls for real GDP growth for 2018 and 2019 to 1.8% and 1.9% from 1.6% and 1.7% respectively, following modest increases to our growth projections for household consumption and business investment.We raise our calls for real GDP growth for 2018 and 2019 to 1.8% and 1.9% from 1.6% and 1.7% respectively, following modest increases to our growth projections for household consumption and business investment.
Our forecasts exceed Bloomberg consensus (29 November 2017) of 1.4% in 2018 and 1.6% in 2019. We see risks to the growth outlook as roughly balanced.Our forecasts exceed Bloomberg consensus (29 November 2017) of 1.4% in 2018 and 1.6% in 2019. We see risks to the growth outlook as roughly balanced.
Foreign exchange news site DailyFX flags up that the pound has outperformed other currencies against the dollar today:Foreign exchange news site DailyFX flags up that the pound has outperformed other currencies against the dollar today:
Best/worst performers - Majors vs USD today: GBP: 0.4% NZD: 0.0% EUR: -0.1% CHF: -0.2% JPY: -0.3% AUD: -0.4% pic.twitter.com/jt92QwLpRdBest/worst performers - Majors vs USD today: GBP: 0.4% NZD: 0.0% EUR: -0.1% CHF: -0.2% JPY: -0.3% AUD: -0.4% pic.twitter.com/jt92QwLpRd
The price of bitcoin is going up even faster than Britain’s potential Brexit bill.The price of bitcoin is going up even faster than Britain’s potential Brexit bill.
The cryptocurrency smashed through the $10,000 mark overnight, and is currently changing hands at $10,900.The cryptocurrency smashed through the $10,000 mark overnight, and is currently changing hands at $10,900.
That means it’s risen by around 1,000% during 2017. Five years ago, you could have bought a bitcoin for only $12....That means it’s risen by around 1,000% during 2017. Five years ago, you could have bought a bitcoin for only $12....
Bitcoin - Over $10,000 todayUnder $1,000 on Jan. 1Up nearly 1,000% this year pic.twitter.com/SpE22fw3ZZBitcoin - Over $10,000 todayUnder $1,000 on Jan. 1Up nearly 1,000% this year pic.twitter.com/SpE22fw3ZZ
The higher bitcoin goes, the louder are the warnings that it’s an unsustainable speculative bubble. But then, I can remember the same warnings back in 2013!The higher bitcoin goes, the louder are the warnings that it’s an unsustainable speculative bubble. But then, I can remember the same warnings back in 2013!
Bitcoin vs other “bubbles”: on track to surpass the original Tulip mania pic.twitter.com/YCqMb1jeR6Bitcoin vs other “bubbles”: on track to surpass the original Tulip mania pic.twitter.com/YCqMb1jeR6
Sir Jon Cunliffe, the BoE deputy governor, has suggested that potential bitcoin investors should be cautious.Sir Jon Cunliffe, the BoE deputy governor, has suggested that potential bitcoin investors should be cautious.
He told BBC Radio 5 this morning that:He told BBC Radio 5 this morning that:
“This is not a currency in the accepted sense. There’s no central bank that stands behind it. For me it’s much more like a commodity.“This is not a currency in the accepted sense. There’s no central bank that stands behind it. For me it’s much more like a commodity.
“This is not at a size where it’s a macroeconomic risk to the global economy, but when prices are moving like that, my view would be investors need to do their homework.”“This is not at a size where it’s a macroeconomic risk to the global economy, but when prices are moving like that, my view would be investors need to do their homework.”
Back to Brexit, and the BBC’s Katya Adler reports that some EU officials are irritated that the £50bn settlement hit the headlines last night.Back to Brexit, and the BBC’s Katya Adler reports that some EU officials are irritated that the £50bn settlement hit the headlines last night.
Although they do want money from the UK, they don’t want to be bounced into an agreement. They also don’t accept that any payment will guarantee Britain the post-Brexit deal it wants...Although they do want money from the UK, they don’t want to be bounced into an agreement. They also don’t accept that any payment will guarantee Britain the post-Brexit deal it wants...
She writes:She writes:
If and when an agreement on the Brexit bill is made, the EU will push back hard at UK government assertions that Brexit financial payments be tied to a future trade and transition deal.If and when an agreement on the Brexit bill is made, the EU will push back hard at UK government assertions that Brexit financial payments be tied to a future trade and transition deal.
Brussels insists this is money the UK owes - dating back to commitments made on annual and long-term budgets while an EU member.Brussels insists this is money the UK owes - dating back to commitments made on annual and long-term budgets while an EU member.
“This is not blood money,” an EU civil servant told me.“This is not blood money,” an EU civil servant told me.
“This is money the UK must pay on leaving the EU. The new relationship post-Brexit Britain will have with the EU is something quite separate. Europe is not about to be blackmailed.”“This is money the UK must pay on leaving the EU. The new relationship post-Brexit Britain will have with the EU is something quite separate. Europe is not about to be blackmailed.”
#Brexit Bill doesn’t ‘buy’ a good trade deal .. The view - and my thoughts -from Brussels https://t.co/eQVmcsSluw#Brexit Bill doesn’t ‘buy’ a good trade deal .. The view - and my thoughts -from Brussels https://t.co/eQVmcsSluw
Breaking away from Brexit briefly, shipping company Clarksons has admitted it’s been hacked.Breaking away from Brexit briefly, shipping company Clarksons has admitted it’s been hacked.
Clarksons told the City that it has been working with the police since discovering a cybersecurity incident which involved “unauthorised access to the Company’s computer systems”.Clarksons told the City that it has been working with the police since discovering a cybersecurity incident which involved “unauthorised access to the Company’s computer systems”.
It warned shareholders that those responsible “may release some data” today.It warned shareholders that those responsible “may release some data” today.
Andi Case, CEO of Clarksons, has hinted that the company refused to pay the hackers to return stolen data, saying:Andi Case, CEO of Clarksons, has hinted that the company refused to pay the hackers to return stolen data, saying:
I hope our clients understand that we would not be held to ransom by criminals, and I would like to sincerely apologise for any concern this incident may have understandably raised.”I hope our clients understand that we would not be held to ransom by criminals, and I would like to sincerely apologise for any concern this incident may have understandably raised.”
More evidence that the eurozone economy is ending 2017 on a high, from the EC’s latest health check:More evidence that the eurozone economy is ending 2017 on a high, from the EC’s latest health check:
Euro-area companies are the most upbeat about the outlook than at any time since the financial crisis https://t.co/esMLyXRUKr via @ZSchneeweiss pic.twitter.com/M42Jef5w7JEuro-area companies are the most upbeat about the outlook than at any time since the financial crisis https://t.co/esMLyXRUKr via @ZSchneeweiss pic.twitter.com/M42Jef5w7J
Employment expectations for industry in the eurozone reach a THIRTY TWO YEAR HIGH (entire series history). #EUROBOOM deniers and haters will be forgiven, the boom is magnanimous. pic.twitter.com/dwoVMySHIWEmployment expectations for industry in the eurozone reach a THIRTY TWO YEAR HIGH (entire series history). #EUROBOOM deniers and haters will be forgiven, the boom is magnanimous. pic.twitter.com/dwoVMySHIW
#Eurozone economic sentiment indicator reached its highest level since October 2000❗️Survey points to solid and faster GDP growth in Q4, in line with PMIs. /via @nghrbi 🇪🇺 💶 pic.twitter.com/2eAk1whGdG#Eurozone economic sentiment indicator reached its highest level since October 2000❗️Survey points to solid and faster GDP growth in Q4, in line with PMIs. /via @nghrbi 🇪🇺 💶 pic.twitter.com/2eAk1whGdG
Despite Brexit uncertainty, individuals and businesses in Europe are increasingly optimistic.Despite Brexit uncertainty, individuals and businesses in Europe are increasingly optimistic.
New data from the European Commission shows that eurozone consumer and economic confidence jumped again in November, to their highest level in 17 years.New data from the European Commission shows that eurozone consumer and economic confidence jumped again in November, to their highest level in 17 years.
#European Commission report further rise in #Eurozone #business and #consumer confidence in Nov to highest level since Oct 2000. Confidence up in all business sectors except #retail. #Consumer confidence highest since January 2001#European Commission report further rise in #Eurozone #business and #consumer confidence in Nov to highest level since Oct 2000. Confidence up in all business sectors except #retail. #Consumer confidence highest since January 2001
Newsflash: UK households reined in their borrowing last month.Newsflash: UK households reined in their borrowing last month.
Unsecured consumer credit (such as borrowing on credit cards) grew by 9.6% in October compared to a year ago, down from 9.8% in September.Unsecured consumer credit (such as borrowing on credit cards) grew by 9.6% in October compared to a year ago, down from 9.8% in September.
That’s the smallest rise since April 2016, and follows concerns that people were being driven into debt by rising inflation and falling real wages.That’s the smallest rise since April 2016, and follows concerns that people were being driven into debt by rising inflation and falling real wages.
New Bank of England figures also show a fall in the number of mortgages approved by lenders, down to 64,575 in October from over 66,000 in September.New Bank of England figures also show a fall in the number of mortgages approved by lenders, down to 64,575 in October from over 66,000 in September.
Transport secretary Chris Grayling has defended the government against criticism that it might stump up £50bn to leave the EU.Transport secretary Chris Grayling has defended the government against criticism that it might stump up £50bn to leave the EU.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that the UK has financial obligations to settle, adding:He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that the UK has financial obligations to settle, adding:
“I don’t think people in this country would expect us to just walk away from things we’ve already said we’d pay for.”“I don’t think people in this country would expect us to just walk away from things we’ve already said we’d pay for.”
Bonus marks to anyone who spotted that on the side of a bus last year.Bonus marks to anyone who spotted that on the side of a bus last year.
Anyway, Andrew Sparrow’s Politics Live blog has all the action from Westminster today:Anyway, Andrew Sparrow’s Politics Live blog has all the action from Westminster today:
Grayling defends paying massively increased Brexit divorce bill, saying UK shouldn't 'just walk away' - Politics live https://t.co/uL7xSYssNDGrayling defends paying massively increased Brexit divorce bill, saying UK shouldn't 'just walk away' - Politics live https://t.co/uL7xSYssND
The EU’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, has sounded a cautious note about the £50bn figure.The EU’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, has sounded a cautious note about the £50bn figure.
Collared by reporters in Berlin this morning, Barnier suggested that a deal wasn’t agreed yet.Collared by reporters in Berlin this morning, Barnier suggested that a deal wasn’t agreed yet.
He said:He said:
“We are still working. ....I am working for an agreement.”“We are still working. ....I am working for an agreement.”
Barnier says Brexit bill reports are 'claims or rumours in the press' and 'we are continuing to work' on the subject, @AFP reporting from BerlinBarnier says Brexit bill reports are 'claims or rumours in the press' and 'we are continuing to work' on the subject, @AFP reporting from Berlin