International
UK manufacturing industry shrinks at fastest rate in 11 months
Concerns remain about the outlook for global trade in 2025, with Donald Trump assuming the US presidency later this month having promised a slew of trade tariffs.
Yahoo!finance: British factory output contracted at the fastest rate in 11 months in December, amid a swathe of job losses, growing concerns about rising business taxes and a worsening global economy.
The S&P Global UK manufacturing PMI survey, watched closely by economists, recorded a reading of 47.0 in December, from 48.0 in November.
Any reading above 50 indicates activity is growing while any score below means it is contracting.
The rate of job cuts hit a 10-month high, the survey found, with firms saying weak market conditions caused many to reduce their headcounts.
Company confidence fell to a two-year low, meanwhile, amid concerns about inflationary pressures, rising business costs and potential weaker economic growth this year.
Manufacturers said they were concerned about future cost increases, partly driven by rising taxes announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves last year.
Companies will pay more in national insurance contributions (NICs) from April, while the minimum wage is also set to rise, which will make it more expensive to employ people.
Firms also cited a weakening global economic outlook, as exports fell due to lower demand in Europe, Asia and the UK.
Concerns remain about the outlook for global trade in 2025, with Donald Trump assuming the US presidency later this month having promised a slew of trade tariffs.
Rob Dobson, director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said: “A stalling domestic economy, weak export sales and concerns about future cost increases led to the steepest contraction of UK manufacturing production for almost a year in December.
“Manufacturers are facing an increasingly downbeat backdrop. Business sentiment is now at its lowest for two years as the new Government’s rhetoric and announced policy changes dampen confidence and raise costs at UK factories and their clients alike.
SMEs are being especially hard hit during the latest downturn.
“This is sending a winter chill through the labour market. December saw the sharpest cuts to staffing levels since February.
Some companies are acting now to restructure operations in advance of the rises in employer national insurance and minimum wage levels in 2025.”
International
Iran reopens Strait of Hormuz following two-week cease-fire agreement with Trump
Pakistan, which has mediated between Tehran and Washington, said that an immediate ceasefire between Iran and the US had taken effect.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz would be possible for two weeks in coordination with Iran’s armed forces “and with due consideration of technical limitations.”
The development follows a two-week ceasefire announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, the Tasnim news agency, which is close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reported early on Wednesday.
Pakistan, which has mediated between Tehran and Washington, said that an immediate ceasefire between Iran and the US had taken effect.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wrote on X that the Islamic Republic of Iran and the U.S., along with their allies, had agreed to an “immediate ceasefire everywhere,” including in Lebanon.“
Trump had made reopening the waterway a condition for the ceasefire and had threatened to target Iran’s energy sector and infrastructure, including bridges, if Tehran failed to comply, setting a deadline of 0000 GMT.
The Strait of Hormuz, crucial to global oil and gas trade, has been largely closed since the United States and Israel launched large-scale attacks on Iran on Feb. 28.
According to a senior U.S. official, Israel will also adhere to what Trump described as a “double sided CEASEFIRE.”
International
Oil Prices Rise, Stocks Fall as Trump’s Iran Deadline Looms
Oil prices climbed sharply while global stocks wavered and mostly declined on Tuesday as President Donald Trump’s looming deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face escalated U.S. strikes heightened geopolitical tensions and investor anxiety.
Brent crude futures rose about 1% to trade near $111 per barrel, with U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude also pushing higher amid fears that prolonged disruption to the critical waterway through which a significant portion of global oil supplies passes could worsen energy shortages. Oil has surged more than 50% since the conflict intensified.
Meanwhile, major U.S. stock indexes showed mixed but largely cautious trading, with many shares slipping as investors weighed the risk of further military escalation, including potential strikes on Iranian power plants and infrastructure.
European and Asian markets were similarly tentative, reflecting broader concerns over inflation, energy costs, and economic fallout from the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Trump has set a firm deadline of 8 p.m. ET Tuesday (1 a.m. GMT Wednesday) for Iran to reach a deal and reopen the strait, warning of decisive action if unmet. He has threatened to “decimate” Iranian bridges and power plants, stating the country “could be taken out in one night.
”Iran has rejected recent ceasefire proposals, calling instead for a permanent end to hostilities, while markets remain on edge with no clear resolution in sight.
Analysts warn that sustained high oil prices could fuel global inflation and slow economic growth, though some investors still hope for a last-minute diplomatic breakthrough.
The developments come as the International Energy Agency has described the current oil and gas crisis linked to the Hormuz blockade as potentially more severe than previous major shocks combined.
International
Trump warns Entire Iran could be ‘taken out’ Tuesday night
” The entire country could be taken out in one night, and that night might be Tuesday night,” he said.
US President Donald Trump says Iran could be “taken out” in one night as the deadline set for the country to open the Strait of Hormuz to shipping traffic approaches.
On Saturday, Trump gave Iran 48 hours to comply or risk facing “hell”.
He later threatened that the US would blow up Iran’s power plants and bridges if Tehran failed to adhere to his warning.
The US president said Iran had until Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET (1 am WAT) to make a deal.
In a press conference on Monday, Trump reiterated and intensified his threats.
“The entire country could be taken out in one night, and that night might be Tuesday night,” he said.
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