Podcasts from Share Radio Afternoon related to Economics

The Bank of England has raised its forecast of economic growth to 2% this year, up from the previous forecast of 1.4%, with an increase from 1.5% to 1.6% for next year. The base rate is unchanged at 0.25% and the bank's quantitative easing or money-printing programme will also continue as planned. The Bank's announcement has triggered a 0.8% fall in the pound at $1.26. Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG, joined Share Radio's Ed Bowsher to cover the big economic news of the day, including the government White Paper, Reckitt Benckiser's deal and more.

The Bank of England has raised its forecast for economic growth this year, the bank now expects growth of 2% this year up from the previous 1.4% forecast. The base rate has been left unchanged at 0.25% and the quantitative easing programme will continue this year as planned. Share Radio's Ed Bowsher spoke to Philip Booth, Professor of Finance, Public Policy and Ethics at St Mary's University to get some analysis on this. Philip is also a former adviser to the Bank of England on financial stability issues.

Investors are already feeling Brexit's impact but this hasn't dampened growth prospects. Consultancy EY found more than half of global investors want to grow their presence in Europe despite uncertainty. Andy Baldwin, EY area managing partner for Europe, Middle East, India and Africa, explained more with Share Radio's Peta Fuller.

Despite positive figures, why are profits not going up at Apple? Plus management shuffles at the top for TalkTalk, Wizz Air profits double but share price still falls, and gold miner Centamin gets generous with dividends. For analysis on this and more, Financial Orbit's Chris Bailey joined Share Radio’s senior analyst Ed Bowsher.

TalkTalk chief executive Dido Harding to depart, UK house prices inch upwards according to Nationwide and good days for both the FTSE and pound - what's driving that? For these and more Chris Justham, relationship manager at Seven Investment Management, joined Share Radio's Ed Bowsher to discuss the day's need-to-know economic stories.

There was no shortage of European economic data today - but the most important was the overall figure, with the Eurozone growing 0.5 percent in the final quarter of 2016, taking annual growth to 1.8 percent for the year. That's behind UK growth for 2016 at 2.2% but ahead of the US, at only 1.6 percent. For more detail, Share Radio's Ed Bowsher spoke with Jennifer McKeown, Chief European Economist at Capital Economics.

All of the day's top economic stories including the FTSE's shift, regional UK construction boom and some concerning signs for UK consumer sentiment. Plus a slew of Eurozone data showing where the strong - and weak - economies are on the continent. Share Radio's Ed Bowsher was joined by Alex Dryden, market strategist at JP Morgan, to analyse the day's news.

Shares in Ocado have jumped 7% today after the online grocer revealed profits rose by 20% last year, but the company still hasn't announced a long-promised partnership with an overseas retailer. Results were also out from soft drink maker Britvic and Carpetright. Daniel Thomas, deputy companies editor at the FT, joined Share Radio's Ed Bowsher.

Reports that former BHS boss Sir Philip Green has made a deal with the pensions regulator to rescue the retailer's pension scheme, according to Sky News. How much could cost the billionaire? For more Share Radio's Ed Bowsher was joined by Helen Morrissey, editor of Professional Pensions magazine.

Donald Trump's controversial immigration ban on people from seven Muslim-majority countries caused a public outcry and left markets jittery. Can court action make a difference? And what concessions have been made so far? For more on exactly what was in the legislation, Share Radio's Ed Bowsher was joined by Chris Gilson, editor of a US politics blog at the London School of Economics.