Copper's Spiking - And This Junior Has the Grades to Match

Copper is climbing again - and this time, it looks tariff-proof. A $31M junior just posted nearly 1B lbs of copper equivalent. With insiders and institutions piling in, this could be the next breakout.

Keir Starmer warns the UK budget this week will reflect 'harsh' economic reality

JILL LAWLESS
October 28, 2024

LONDON (AP) -- Fixing Britain's troubled economy will be a long haul in a "harsh" fiscal environment, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday, setting the stage for his government's high-stakes first budget this week.

Starmer hopes voters will accept his argument that higher taxes and limited public spending increases are needed to "fix the foundations" of an economy that he says has been undermined by 14 years of Conservative government. But his message -- things will slowly get better -- is a risky one in a high-speed political world.

"It's time to embrace the harsh light of fiscal reality," Starmer said, telling voters that politicians must "stop insulting your intelligence with the chicanery of easy answers."

"I will never stand here and tell you to feel better, if you don't," he added during a speech in the central England city of Birmingham two days before Wednesday's budget. "Change must be felt."

Starmer's center-left Labour Party was elected July 4 after promising to banish years of turmoil and scandal under Conservative governments, get Britain's economy growing and restore frayed public services, especially the state-funded National Health Service.

Pumping money into health, education and other services is made harder by a sluggish economy, hobbled by rising public debt and low growth of just 0.2% in August. Starmer also says that on taking office he discovered a 22 billion pound ($29 billion) "black hole" in the public finances left by the Conservative government.

The Conservatives say they left an economy that was growing, albeit modestly, with lower levels of debt and a smaller deficit than many other Group of Seven wealthy nations.

Paul Johnson, head of independent think-tank the Institute for Fiscal Studies, said the budget hole is real, but that both Labour and the Conservatives were dishonest about the economy during the election.

"It was obvious that they were either going to have to cut spending, which is what the previous government said they were planning to do, or increase taxes," he told Sky News. "But of course, no party was willing to say that. That's why we called it a conspiracy of silence at the time."

That means the budget is certain to include tax increases - though Labour has pledged not to raise the tax burden on "working people," a term whose definition has been hotly debated in the media for weeks.

Treasury chief Rachel Reeves - Britain's first female chancellor of the exchequer -- is widely expected to tweak the government's debt rules so that she can borrow billions more for investment in the health system, schools, railways and other big infrastructure projects, and to raise money by hiking tax paid by employers, though not employees. She could also raise taxes on capital gains, arguing they do not form part of the main income of working people.

Starmer said that "tax rises will prevent austerity and rebuild public services," while "borrowing will drive long-term growth."

"There are no shortcuts," he said.

Starmer's government set out its tough-medicine approach to the economy soon after being elected. One of its first acts was to strip millions of retirees of a payment intended to help heat their homes in winter. It was intended to signal determination to take difficult decisions, but spawned a sharp backlash from Labour members and sections of the public.

It also sat awkwardly with news that Starmer had accepted thousands of pounds' (dollars') worth of gifts including clothes, designer eyeglasses and tickets to see Taylor Swift. After days of negative headlines, he agreed to pay back 6,000 pounds (almost $8,000) worth of freebies.

Headlines about internal Labour feuds and "Swiftgate" flourished during the long wait for the budget, which is being delivered almost four months after the election, an unusually big gap.

Labour "has been finding the adjustment into government a bit hard," said Jill Rutter, a senior fellow at the Institute for Government think-tank. "There has been a sense that everybody is just in a holding pattern until we get the budget."

Starmer is a famously cautious politician, and Reeves, a former Bank of England economist, wants to be seen as a prudent guardian of the nation's purse strings. Rutter said that part of the reason for the slow buildup to the budget is the memory of the economic turmoil unleashed by then-Prime Minister Liz Truss in October 2022. Truss resigned as prime minister after just 49 days in office when her plan for billions in tax cuts rocked the financial markets and battered the value of the pound.

"Every chancellor is now scarred by the ghost of Liz Truss past," Rutter said, noting that Reeves "clearly didn't want to do a Liz Truss and do a rushed job.

"The question is, does she do a good enough job on Wednesday that people think that she's used that time well?" Rutter added. "The stakes are quite high for the government."

Continue Reading...

Popular

Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' Offers Seniors A $6,000 'Bonus' Tax Deduction: Here's How You Qualify For The Benefit

Trump's Big, Beautiful Bill offers a $6,000 senior bonus deduction from 2025-28. Couples can save $12,000. Retirees with incomes up to $75,000 benefit most.

Warren Buffett Skips Big Banks Like JPMorgan and Wells Fargo, Bets $459 Million On This One Asset

Warren Buffett has shifted his investment strategy, investing $459 million in Sirius XM after selling his stakes in Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, and Wells Fargo.

Unveil the 365X Crypto Secret - Replay Disappearing Soon! - Ad

Only 12 hours left! Watch the replay of the "365x Return in 90 Days" crypto Workshop before it's gone. Discover Joel and Adam's 4-part system, real success stories, and how to start mirroring their trades. This is your last chance-don't miss out.

Musk Third-Party Odds Hit 47% — Can The Tesla Chief Do What No One Has Since 1853?

A promise to create a third party from billionaire Elon Musk comes with historical difficulties of challenging the current two-party system.

Stunning Trump Policy Unlocks Upfront Cash Payouts - Ad

The U.S. has collected $15B from Trump's tariffs - and now, thanks to Title 15, you could claim your own $100-$1,000 instant upfront cash payouts. No stocks needed. Use your phone and this income technique to collect upfront payouts now.

Nike Beats The Street And Says The Worst Is Over

Nike Inc (NKE) stock rallies after upbeat fiscal Q4 results. Analysts maintain Buy ratings, raise price targets, citing potential for growth.

This Tiny Tech Stock Could Be the Next Big Platform Play - Ad

One under-the-radar company is embedding intelligence into everyday glass-already powering Ferraris, aircraft, and city buses with adaptive surfaces and vision systems. It's not just a product. It's a platform.

UnitedHealthcare Group, Gryphon Digital Mining, AMC Entertainment, Centene, And Tesla: Why These 5 Stocks Are On Investors' Radars Today

Major U.S. indices were mixed on Tuesday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising 0.9% to 44,494.94 and the S&P 500 declining 0.1% to 6,198.01. The Nasdaq fell 0.8% to 20,202.89. These are the top stocks that gained the attention of retail traders and investors throughout the day:

Michael Novogratz's Galaxy And Invesco File To Launch Solana ETF: What You Should Know About QSOL

Asset management giant Invesco filed for a cryptocurrency exchange-traded fund focused on Solana (CRYPTO: SOL) on Wednesday, expanding its offerings beyond Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC).

Revived Wartime Resource May Soon Power Everything from Bullets to Batteries - Ad

This overlooked metal isn't just for the battlefield anymore. It's part of the future energy grid, too. This could be a rare early-stage play in a market that's heating up fast.

650% Later, Rocket Lab CEO Isn't One Bit Worried

Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck highlights strong demand for launches from both commercial and government customers.

Buffett Tells Trustee to Put 90% of Money in This One Stock? - Ad

In a surprising move, Warren Buffett (the world's greatest investor, whose firm returned more than 5,000,000% gains), has instructed his trustee to put 90% of his personal money into one stock investment. Buffett says regular folks should be in this stock, too. A CPA and member of the Global CFA Institute explains how to use this stock to optimize your holdings.

Big Banks Pass Fed's 2025 Stress Test With Ease—But Some Say It Was Too Easy

All major U.S. banks passed the Fed's 2025 stress test, but critics say easier assumptions may have padded the results.

Copper's Spiking - And This Junior Has the Grades to Match - Ad

Copper is climbing again - and this time, it looks tariff-proof. A $31M junior just posted nearly 1B lbs of copper equivalent. With insiders and institutions piling in, this could be the next breakout.

California energy regulator recommends pause on plan to penalize excess oil profits

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California should pause Gov. Gavin Newsom's plan to penalize oil companies if their profits climb too high, a top energy regulator said Friday while unveiling proposals aimed at addressing high gas prices.

Copper's Rally Is Back. This $31M Junior Is Sitting on a Potential Fortune - Ad

A high-grade copper-gold discovery in Quebec just delivered extremely high grade intercepts. Valuation? Just $31M. With copper breaking out, the timing here could be perfect. Get the symbol here.

Gold Just Hit Another Record. This Junior Could Be Next. - Ad

This copper junior was the smallest company invited to a top global mining conference. With nearly 1B pounds CuEq and 50,000m of funded drilling, this story won't stay quiet for long.

Iran’s president orders country to suspend cooperation with UN nuclear watchdog IAEA

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s president on Wednesday ordered the country to suspend its cooperation with after American and Israeli airstrikes hit its most-important nuclear facilities, likely further limiting inspectors' ability to track Tehran's program that had been enriching uranium to near weapons-grade levels.

How to build a portfolio you don’t have to babysit

If you’re a do-it-yourself investor aiming to build a “no babysitter required” portfolio, here are the key steps to take.

China is Tightening Critical Metal Supply-Investors Wondering Who Will Step Up - Ad

This metal powers everything from munitions to batteries. But with China imposing export controls, the West is scrambling for supply. One tiny firm may control a key N. American site-and investors are watching closely.

'Not Looking To Stop': Trump Slams Putin on Ukraine, Speaks With Zelenskyy

President Trump held a phone conversation with Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday, one day after expressing disappointment over an unproductive call with Vladimir Putin.

'Tesla Has The Robot And The Customer': Dave Mazza's HUMN ETF Makes A Calculated Bet On Optimus

Investors are seeking exposure to the $5 trillion humanoid robotics market and Roundhill's HUMN ETF offers active management for agility and alpha generation.

Apple's Secret Weapon to Disrupt a $9 Trillion Industry - Ad

Apple just fired a shot at a $9 trillion sector - not with a new iPhone, but with its most disruptive project since the smartphone. One tiny supplier - still trading near $30 - sits quietly at the center of this bold move.

German court suspends diesel scandal trial of former Volkswagen CEO Winterkorn

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — A German court has suspended proceedings of former Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn, who has been charged with fraud and market manipulation in connection with the automaker's use of rigged software that let millions of diesel-engine cars cheat on emissions tests.

Apple Sues Ex-Engineer Over Alleged Theft Of Vision Pro Secrets As Snap Prepares AR Glasses Launch

Apple files lawsuit accusing former senior design engineer of stealing confidential information before leaving to work at Snap.

Most Bitcoin Holders Have No Idea This Exists - Ad

I call it "Bitcoin Skimming"... and it allows you to "skim" cash into your account thanks to 2025's surging Bitcoin market. You don't have to buy or sell Bitcoin. Not one single penny's worth. In my latest video briefing, I'll give you everything you need to "skim" your first payout -- and it won't cost you a penny.

China's humanoid robots generate more soccer excitement than their human counterparts

BEIJING (AP) — While China's men's soccer team hasn't generated much excitement in recent years, humanoid robot teams have won over fans in Beijing based more on the AI technology involved than any athletic prowess shown.

Home Depot's $5.5B Deal Expands Its Reach To Thousands Of Job Sites

Analyst maintains Buy rating on Home Depot with $450 price target, noting plans for subsidiary SRS Distribution to acquire GMS for $4.3B.

Bitcoin Just Crossed $120,000 ... How High Will It Go? - Ad

Weiss Ratings Crypto Expert, Juan Villaverde believes that 2025 will be the biggest year in crypto history and there is a new coin that he believes could change Bitcoin and Ethereum from the "Big Two" to the "Big Three" this year.

US tariffs on European goods threaten to shake up the world's largest 2-way trade relationship

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — , the European Union, is among the entities awaiting word Monday on will impose punishing tariffs on their goods, a move economists have warned would have repercussions for companies and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic.

Unveil the 365X Crypto Secret - Replay Disappearing Soon! - Ad

Only 12 hours left! Watch the replay of the "365x Return in 90 Days" crypto Workshop before it's gone. Discover Joel and Adam's 4-part system, real success stories, and how to start mirroring their trades. This is your last chance-don't miss out.

Hong Kong's security net extends beyond arrests as small businesses pressured

HONG KONG (AP) — It’s been years since all but silenced pro-democracy activism in Hong Kong. But a crackdown on dissent in the semiautonomous Chinese city is still expanding, hitting restaurants, bookstores and other small businesses.

Trending Now

Information, charts or examples are for illustration and educational purposes only and not for individualized investment management This message contains commercial elements, such as advertising. We only send these offers to those who have opted in to our newsletter. Past performance is not indicative of future results. For these reasons we strongly suggest trading in a DEMO/Simulated account. The information provided by us is for educational and informational purposes only. We make no representations or warranties concerning the products, practices or procedures of any company or entity mentioned or recommended and have not determined if the statements and opinions of the advertiser are accurate, correct or truthful. If you use, act upon or make decisions in reliance on information contained or any external source linked within it, you do so at your own peril and agree to hold us, our officers, directors, shareholders, affiliates and agents without fault.

Copyright systemtrading.ca
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service