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Global inflation was about to be tamed. Red Sea attacks now fan revival fears

Soaring shipping costs and a jump in oil prices are stoking worries about a revival of inflation pressures around the world. Only days into a 2024 that was meant to be the year inflation dissipated, manufacturers and retailers are again juggling delays and facing higher expenses , as persistent attacks by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea rattle a major shipping route through the Suez Canal. Ocean freight rates for goods from Asia to Europe have more than doubled over the past four weeks. A British Typhoon fighter jet takes off from a base in Cyprus as part of an air strike on Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. Credit: Getty Images Fears of…

Global inflation was about to be tamed. Red Sea attacks now fan revival fears

Soaring shipping costs and a jump in oil prices are stoking worries about a revival of inflation pressures around the world. Only days into a 2024 that was meant to be the year inflation dissipated, manufacturers and retailers are again juggling delays and facing higher expenses , as persistent attacks by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea rattle a major shipping route through the Suez Canal. Ocean freight rates for goods from Asia to Europe have more than doubled over the past four weeks. A British Typhoon fighter jet takes off from a base in Cyprus as part of an air strike on Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. Credit: Getty Images Fears of…

How Cities Can Scale Onsite Solar with New Federal Incentives

San Antonio, Texas, will soon be one of the first major US cities to leverage the new “direct pay” mechanism to build one of the largest on-site solar projects for local governments. Last year, San Antonio set a new record of 75 days at or above 100°F. An innovative solar project approved by the City in November will not only provide a solution for beating the heat in the form of shaded solar canopies on parking lots, but also highlights how cities of all shapes and sizes can harness a new federal mechanism to cost-effectively invest in more clean energy. The City of San Antonio has made history by approving a major deal with local…

Scottish Mortgage chief Tom Slater defends giant that soared like a rocket then…

Scottish Mortgage chief Tom Slater defends giant that soared like a rocket then plunged Scottish Mortgage divides opinion - investors and experts either love it or hate it Analysts at Winterflood declared trust one of its investment picks for this year But counterparts at Investec set to recommend investors sell trust's shares By Jeff Prestridge Updated: 16:51 EST, 13 January 2024 e-mail View comments Clear vision: Scottish Mortgage's lead investment manager Tom Slater, with Wealth's Jeff Prestridge Mega investment trust Scottish Mortgage divides opinion. Investors and experts either love it or hate it – there is no middle ground…

Fears over homes target as blue-chip builders fall short

Fears over homes target as blue-chip builders fall short By Francesca Washtell Updated: 21:51, 13 January 2024 e-mail View comments The number of new homes completed by stock-market listed housebuilders is set to fall below 70,000 this year in a blow to the Government's targets. The ten companies listed on the London Stock Exchange – which include Barratt Developments, Persimmon and Berkeley Group – will build around 69,300 houses and flats between them in 2024, according to forecasts from Peel Hunt. This is slightly less than the 71,000 the broker estimates were finished in 2023 – and a far cry from the 85,000 completed in 2022…