Bloomberg Germany’s economy started the fourth quarter on the back foot, with private-sector activity slowing to the weakest since 2015 and factory orders contracting for the first time in four years. The composite Purchasing Managers’ Index for Europe’s largest economy dropped to 52.7 in October from 55.0 last month, according to a flash reading released by IHS Markit on Wednesday. ...

To every complex human problem, there is a solution that is neat, plausible — and wrong. That observation by H.L. Mencken came to mind as rumours resurfaced this week that pro-Brexit Conservatives were plotting to oust their leader, Prime Minister Theresa May, by triggering a no-confidence vote in Parliament. Getting rid of May might be a neat solution to the ...

Strong US economic growth has encouraged the Trump administration to escalate the trade war with China, putting increasing pressure on that nation’s economy and financial markets. At the same time, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates last month for the eighth time since December 2015, and a majority of policy makers even see the need to boost rates above the ...