Headlines

Economic sentiment in the UK dropped to its lowest level in seven years in August on the back of weak services and a slump in confidence in the retail sector, the Financial Times reported. Monthly figures from the European Commission showed that while the eurozone had arrested the decline in its economic sentiment, it continued to fall fast in the UK. The figures highlight the fragility of the UK economy as the Brexit deadline approaches, and were particularly weak among retailers, who recorded the lowest level of confidence for just over a decade.

The eurozone is developing a two-speed economy as the growing impact of global trade tension weighs on some countries while others benefit from their stronger domestic demand base, the Financial Times reported. Economic measures published on Thursday showed encouraging signs for France, but pointed to continued gloom for export-led economies such as Germany and Italy. Both countries are severely affected by the rising US-China trade tensions and weakening global demand.

Mutual funds continue to shun Indian shadow lenders’ debt despite a liquidity boost from the nation’s central bank and measures from the government to quell investor wariness toward them, Bloomberg News reported. Debt mutual funds spooked by a string of defaults and credit rating downgrades of the non-bank lenders slashed investments in notes from shadow banks to 14% of their total assets in July, the lowest in nearly two years, data from markets regulator show. The funds invested 7.1% of their assets in commercial papers from shadow lenders and 6.9% in bonds last month, the data showed.

Specialist lender Amigo has warned it will change its business model to head off a regulatory crackdown, sending its shares plunging more than 50 per cent on Thursday, the Financial Times reported. The UK company, which lends to people with poor credit ratings as long as they have someone to step in should they fail to repay, has drawn the scrutiny of the Financial Conduct Authority over concerns that its customers risk becoming trapped as repeat borrowers on interest rates of close to 50 per cent.

The world’s worst performing major bank in stock markets this year is also sliding in the bond market after a credit rating downgrade, Bloomberg News reported. Yes Bank Ltd., one of India’s largest private-sector banks, has been rocked by asset quality worries due to heavy exposure to weaker borrowers amid mounting credit market strains. Moody’s Investors Service cut its rating on Yes Bank deeper into junk on Wednesday, citing concerns about its capital buffers and ability to raise funds.

Germany’s economic downturn is reigniting fears in Angela Merkel’s government about the future of its two largest lenders, Bloomberg News reported. The push for Deutsche Bank AG and Commerzbank AG to hold merger talks created a massive backlash and eventually failed. Potential buyers are steering clear. Now, the administration is running out of options just when a looming recession fuels fears Germany’s banks might not be prepared to weather another crisis, according to two senior officials with direct knowledge of the government’s stance. The German Finance Ministry declined to comment.

Embattled president Mauricio Macri tried to shore up confidence in Argentina after the country asked creditors for more time to pay $101bn of debts, but market analysts said the move pointed to a ninth sovereign default by the South American nation, the Financial Times reported. The peso slid and bonds sold off on Thursday as investors judged the hasty move insufficient to solve the country’s financial woes.

Latin American airline Avianca will look to increase the number of passengers it can fit into a plane without enlarging its fleet as part of its efforts to overcome ongoing financial problems, its chief executive said on Thursday, Reuters reported. A video was released on social media this week showing president of the board Roberto Kriete telling employees that the airline was “broke.” The airline said the video was obtained illegally and denied that it was in a bankruptcy or insolvency process.

The South African government may be forced to inject more money into state power firm Eskom by the end of March if the struggling utility fails to meet its borrowing plan, a Treasury official told parliament on Wednesday, Reuters reported. Eskom supplies more than 90% of South Africa’s electricity but does not generate sufficient cash to meet its debt-service costs and relies on state bailouts to stay afloat.

Italian bonds surged to take benchmark yields to a record low as talks progressed to form a new government, reducing the political risk of fresh elections for investors, Bloomberg News reported. Ten-year yields fell below 1% for the first time and their premium over Germany, a key gauge of risk in the nation, touched the lowest level since May last year when the previous coalition was being formed.