Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

The Business Matrix: Saturday 8 March 2014

 

Saturday 08 March 2014 01:01 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Jobs growth accelerates

US jobs growth accelerated sharply in February, despite the icy weather, keeping the Federal Reserve on track to continue cutting monetary stimulus. Employers added 175,000 jobs last month. The unemployment rate rose to 6.7 per cent as Americans returned to the market to search for work.

Bond default shocks investors

Chinese investors were given a wake-up call as the country saw its first corporate bond default in recent history. The solar panels maker Shanghai Chaori Solar failed to meet an Rmb 89.8 million (£8.8 million) interest payment due Friday. In the past companies have been bailed out by state-owned banks.

Bank buoyed by inflation survey

The Bank of England was given a boost yesterday as a survey showed the public's inflation expectations have fallen back sharply. Asked in February to estimate the rate of inflation in a year, the average response was 2.8 per cent, down from 3.4 per cent in November.

State housing boost helps Aga

The classic cookers maker Aga Rangemaster is expecting better trading this year as the housing market improves thanks to Government schemes such as Help to buy. Aga said operating profits were up 26 per cent as sales rose by 2.4 per cent to £250 million.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in