Bloomberg Such is the state of the UK consumer that even seemingly positive data can reveal bad news about the economy. After a week of grim reports showing inflation at a four-decade high and consumer confidence at the lowest level since at least 1974, a release showing retail sales unexpectedly rose in April appeared to buck the trend. The …

  Bloomberg Investors fled every major asset class in the past week, with US equities and Treasuries a rare exception to the massive exodus, amid concerns that tightening monetary policy will push major economies into a recession. Equity funds had $5.2 billion outflows in the week to May 18, led by redemptions from mutual funds, according to Bank of America …

  Bloomberg China’s almost-trillion dollar hedge fund industry risks worsening the turmoil in its stock market as deepening portfolio losses trigger forced selling by some managers. About 2,350 stock-related hedge funds last month dropped below a threshold that typically activates clauses requiring them to slash exposures, with many headed towards a level that mandates liquidation, according to an industry data …