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FTSE 100 posts best quarter since 2010 amid Covid-19 recovery hopes - business live FTSE 100 posts best quarter since 2010 amid Covid-19 recovery hopes - business live
(32 minutes later)
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as global markets recover some of their huge losses in Q1Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as global markets recover some of their huge losses in Q1
Airbus’s CEO, Guillaume Faury, added that his company is facing “the gravest crisis” in the industry’s history.
Explaining why 15,000 jobs are being cut worldwide, Faury says:
A late newsflash: Aerospace firm Airbus has announced it is cutting 15,000 jobs worldwide, including 1,700 in the UK.
Airbus says the cuts are necessary to address the Covid-19 pandemic, which has hammered demand for new jets by around 40%.
In a statement, Airbus says it doesn’t expect demand to fully recover for perhaps five years.
It is planning to cut 5,100 positions in Germany, 5,000 in France, 900 in Spain and 1,300 at other sites, on top of 1,700 in the UK.
Airbus has two major sites in Britain: Broughton, in North Wales, and Filton, near Bristol. In total it employs around 13,000 people in the UK.
Here’s our news story on the looming job cuts at easyJet, which threaten thousands of jobs across Europe.
Over in New York, shares in aircraft maker Boeing have slumped by 6% after Norwegian Air Shuttle canceled orders for 92 737 Max jets, and five 787s.
That’s a blow for Boeing, which has just begun 737 Max recertification flights so that the troubled model can return to the air.
Norwegian, though, has canned its order - and is also suing Boeing for financial losses from the grounding of the 737 Max last year.
For much of this year, the markets have been as volatile, dramatic and occasionally scary as many of us can remember.For much of this year, the markets have been as volatile, dramatic and occasionally scary as many of us can remember.
The financial cost is insignificant compared to the human toll of Covid-19, but it’s cler that a lot of money was wiped off pensions plans and ISAs in Q1, and quite a bit was wiped back on in Q2.The financial cost is insignificant compared to the human toll of Covid-19, but it’s cler that a lot of money was wiped off pensions plans and ISAs in Q1, and quite a bit was wiped back on in Q2.
So what might the rest of the year hold? David Folkerts-Landau, Deutsche Bank’s chief economist, predicts a lot more drama - especially in America, as states struggle to handle the pandemic.So what might the rest of the year hold? David Folkerts-Landau, Deutsche Bank’s chief economist, predicts a lot more drama - especially in America, as states struggle to handle the pandemic.
Folkerts-Landau warns:Folkerts-Landau warns:
He also sees political drama on both sides of the Atlantic:He also sees political drama on both sides of the Atlantic:
The US dollar is coming under some pressure today, helping to push the pound up by three-quarters of a cent to $1.236.The US dollar is coming under some pressure today, helping to push the pound up by three-quarters of a cent to $1.236.
Ranko Berich, head of market analysis at Monex Europe, blames America’s failure to get to grips with Covid-19.Ranko Berich, head of market analysis at Monex Europe, blames America’s failure to get to grips with Covid-19.
With lockdown measures being re-imposed in several states, including Florida, Texas, California and Arizona, traders are anticipating more financial woes for the US.With lockdown measures being re-imposed in several states, including Florida, Texas, California and Arizona, traders are anticipating more financial woes for the US.
Berich says:Berich says:
Over in Washington, top infectious diseases expert Anthony Fauci has tried to jolt policymakers into action, warning the Senate that the situation is deteriorating fast.Over in Washington, top infectious diseases expert Anthony Fauci has tried to jolt policymakers into action, warning the Senate that the situation is deteriorating fast.
Newsflash: Britain’s stock market has just recorded its best quarterly gains in a decade.Newsflash: Britain’s stock market has just recorded its best quarterly gains in a decade.
The FTSE 100 has rallied by 9% since the start of April, bringing some relief to investors after the crash which began in late February, and ran until mid March.The FTSE 100 has rallied by 9% since the start of April, bringing some relief to investors after the crash which began in late February, and ran until mid March.
Stocks surged strongly in April, and in May, on hopes that the UK economy would recover from the worst recession in generations.Stocks surged strongly in April, and in May, on hopes that the UK economy would recover from the worst recession in generations.
It’s notable that shares rebounded even as the death toll from Covid-19 grew steadily in the UK, and around the globe.It’s notable that shares rebounded even as the death toll from Covid-19 grew steadily in the UK, and around the globe.
The huge money-printing programmes launched in the UK, US and the eurozone helped to support asset prices, while new low-cost loans for struggling companies calmed fears of widespread defaults. Fiscal programmes, such as the UK’s furlough scheme, also helped companies keep running.The huge money-printing programmes launched in the UK, US and the eurozone helped to support asset prices, while new low-cost loans for struggling companies calmed fears of widespread defaults. Fiscal programmes, such as the UK’s furlough scheme, also helped companies keep running.
That is the blue-chip index’s fifth best quarter in the last 20 years, and trims its losses for 2020 to “only” 18%.That is the blue-chip index’s fifth best quarter in the last 20 years, and trims its losses for 2020 to “only” 18%.
The index ended June with a whimper, though, losing 56 points or almost 1% to 6,169.The index ended June with a whimper, though, losing 56 points or almost 1% to 6,169.
Newsflash: European equities have posted their best quarter since 2015.Newsflash: European equities have posted their best quarter since 2015.
The Stoxx 600, which contains Europe’s biggest 600 listed companies, has just closed 0.3% higher tonight, the last day of June. That means it has surged by 12.64% during the last quarter.The Stoxx 600, which contains Europe’s biggest 600 listed companies, has just closed 0.3% higher tonight, the last day of June. That means it has surged by 12.64% during the last quarter.
However, the Stoxx 600 is still down by 13% for this year.However, the Stoxx 600 is still down by 13% for this year.
Germany’s DAX had a particularly strong quarter, surging by 24% since the start of April.Germany’s DAX had a particularly strong quarter, surging by 24% since the start of April.
German stocks rebounded strongly in recent weeks as Berlin agreed massive stimulus measures to fight the Covid-19 downturn, and as German shops and offices reopened for business in May.German stocks rebounded strongly in recent weeks as Berlin agreed massive stimulus measures to fight the Covid-19 downturn, and as German shops and offices reopened for business in May.
That means the DAX is only down 7% this year, the best performance of any major European exchange.That means the DAX is only down 7% this year, the best performance of any major European exchange.
France’s CAC jumped by around 12.5% in Q2, leaving French equities down almost 18% for the year.France’s CAC jumped by around 12.5% in Q2, leaving French equities down almost 18% for the year.
Italy’s FTSE MIB has gained 13.9% in the last three months, but is still down 17.4% for this year after a horrendous plunge in February and March when the pandemic struck.Italy’s FTSE MIB has gained 13.9% in the last three months, but is still down 17.4% for this year after a horrendous plunge in February and March when the pandemic struck.
Gold has hit its highest level in almost eight years.Gold has hit its highest level in almost eight years.
The spot price of bullion hit $1,785 per ounce this afternoon , a level not seen since October 2012.The spot price of bullion hit $1,785 per ounce this afternoon , a level not seen since October 2012.
Gold futures are even more bubbly, pushing over $1,800 per ounce.Gold futures are even more bubbly, pushing over $1,800 per ounce.
Gold, a traditional safe-haven, has benefited from predictions that inflation will surge thanks to the massive money-printing operations from central banks.Gold, a traditional safe-haven, has benefited from predictions that inflation will surge thanks to the massive money-printing operations from central banks.
Bank of England deputy governor Sir Jon Cunliffe has warned that more companies will enter financial distress, as the coronavirus hits the economy.Bank of England deputy governor Sir Jon Cunliffe has warned that more companies will enter financial distress, as the coronavirus hits the economy.
Reuters has the details:Reuters has the details:
Here’s our news story on Andy Haldane’s cautious optimism for the UK’s economic recovery:Here’s our news story on Andy Haldane’s cautious optimism for the UK’s economic recovery:
Over in the US, consumer confidence has jumped - despite rising Covid-19 infections in several states.Over in the US, consumer confidence has jumped - despite rising Covid-19 infections in several states.
The Conference Board’s monthly gauge of consumer morale jumped to 98.1 for June, from 85.9 in May. That’s more than expected.The Conference Board’s monthly gauge of consumer morale jumped to 98.1 for June, from 85.9 in May. That’s more than expected.
Consumers reported that their current economic situation had improved - suggesting that the easing of lockdown restrictions has fed through. Economic expectations also improved, but not by as much, indicating some caution about future prospects.Consumers reported that their current economic situation had improved - suggesting that the easing of lockdown restrictions has fed through. Economic expectations also improved, but not by as much, indicating some caution about future prospects.
That’s understandable, given some restrictions are now being reimposed in an attempt to stamp out an increase in coronavirus infections in California, Florida and Texas, for example.That’s understandable, given some restrictions are now being reimposed in an attempt to stamp out an increase in coronavirus infections in California, Florida and Texas, for example.
More jobs gloom. UK pilots union BALPA has revealed that easyJet is proposing to cut one in three pilots.
Balpa was told today by easyjet that 727 of their pilots are at risk of redundancy, or almost a third of the roster. The budget airline is also proposing to completely close its bases at Stansted, Southend and Newcastle airports, Balpa adds.
Brian Strutton, BALPA General Secretary, says the scale of the planned cuts are a shock. The union is also unhappy that easyJet paid out £174m in dividends to shareholders back in March, even as it was seeking government help.
There’s some scepticism in the economics community about Andy Haldane’s claim that a V-shaped recovery is on the cards.
Geriant Johnes, professor of economics at Lancaster University, points out that a surge in Covid-19 cases, either nationally or at local hot spots, could derail growth.
Former MPC member David Blanchflower also sounds unconvinced:
Wall Street has made an underwhelming start to the final trading day of the quarter (and what a quarter it was!).
The Dow Jones industrial average has dipped by 69 points, or 0.27%, in early trading to 25,526, while the broader S&P 500 index is 0.2% higher.
That means both indices are still on track to post their best quarterly gains since 1998.
The coronavirus pandemic has already had a very severe impact on workers around the globe - with women worst affected.
That’s according to the UN’s labor agency, the International Labour Organisation. It had found that total hours worked has slumped by 14% this year due to lay-offs, reduced hours, and furloughing schemes.
That’s the equivalent of 400m full-time jobs, worse than the ILO previously expected.
And with female workers more at risk, modest progress in workplace gender equality is being undermined, as my colleague Larry Elliott explains:
The Harveys furniture chain has gone into administration, the latest in a series of UK retail casualties.
Some 240 jobs have definitely been lost, and another 1,300 are at risk if administrators can’t find a buyer for the company.
My colleagues Sarah Butler and Zoe Wood have the details:
The Canadian economy has suffered its biggest ever monthly contraction.
Canadian GDP shrank by 11.6% in April alone, the most on record, as the Covid-19 lockdown had an all-too predictable impact on the economy.
That’s better than feared, and an improvement on the UK’s 20% slump during the same month. It follows a 7.5% contraction in March, as non-essential Canadian businesses shuttered.
And while the worst may be over, the road to recover will be long and bumpy. Statistics Canada says its initial flash estimate for May points to growth of 3.0 per cent, so not the V-shaped recovery policymakers are hoping for.
Andy Haldane’s claim that the UK economy is recovering faster than expected hasn’t cheered the City much.
The FTSE 100 index of blue-chip shares has sunk by nearly 1%, or 55 points, back down to 6169 - wiping out much of Monday’s rally.
Traders seem to be taking their lead from Wall Street, where the US market is being called lower.
Concerns over rising Covid-19 cases may be overshadowing economic optimism (market sentiment has been swinging between these two points for several weeks now).
But this shouldn’t stop the FTSE posting its best quarter in a decade, while the US S&P 500 is on track for its best quarter in over 20 years.
In a blow to film fans, the UK’s largest chain of cinemas has pushed back its scheduled reopening date by three weeks.
Cineworld is delaying its reopening until the end of July, rather than the 10th, due to delays in getting hold of new titles.
My colleague Catherine Shoard explains that cinema bosses are under pressure to ensure patrons comply with rules to prevent the spread of Covid-19:
Andy Haldane’s comments are timely - a few minutes ago, Boris Johnson announced plans to boost infrastructure spending to help “level up” the UK and limit the damage caused by the recession.
An upbeat-sounding Johnson pledged £5bn for infrastructure spending, plus reforms to the planning rules to speed up home-building an extensions, and to help builders convert commercial properties to homes.
The PM said:
Johnson has suggested he’s channelling the spirit of Franklin D. Roosevelt -- however, today’s plan is more like Small Potatoes than New Deal. These days, £5bn simply isn’t a lot of money. It’s about 0.2% of the UK economy.
As Alan Custis, Head of UK Equities at Lazard Asset Management, puts it:
Andy Haldane has also warned that the Covid-19 pandemic could drive up Britain’s ‘natural rate of unemployment’.
Reuters has the details: