UK business bosses most pessimistic since the start of the pandemic over inflation and Brexit July 1, 2022 Business chiefs in the UK are at their most disheartened since the early days of the Covid pandemic. Soaring inflation and Brexit pains have crippled confidence on economic outlook with consumer confidence at a historic low. The Directors’ Economic Confidence Index by the Institute of Directors, a measure of economic confidence of over 400 business [...]
Ted Baker sees lift in sales as rebounding store revenues are offset by slump in demand September 2, 2022 Fashion brand Ted Baker has revealed that recovering store footfall helped support higher sales over the past quarter as it prepares for its US takeover. Last month, the retail business agreed a £211 million takeover by Authentic Brands Group, the US owner of Reebok and Juicy Couture. Ted Baker shareholders will vote on the move [...]
FTSE 100 close: London index falls as investors react to mixed retail figures, JD Wetherspoon and Tui March 24, 2023 London’s FTSE 100 index closed 1.31 per cent lower today as investors failed to be enthused by data showing the UK’s economy is faring better than expected following the Bank of England’s (BoE’s) decision to hike interest for the eleventh time in a row. The capital’s premier index fell 1.05 per cent to 7,424.71 points [...]
Barratt Developments share price in focus following Bank of England rate rise July 10, 2023 The market will turn its focus to Barratt Developments’ trading update next Thursday to see how soaring mortgage rates and a tumultuous period for the property sector is impacting UK house building companies. The housebuilder’s shares have fallen by around a tenth over the past 12 months and more than half from their pre-pandemic levels, [...]
Deliveroo posts growth in Q3 despite tough consumer environment October 21, 2022 Deliveroo continued to benefit from stable growth in the third quarter of the year, as it looked to expanding its offering across the UK and Middle East. The fast-food delivery giant had year-in-year growth in Q3 with gross transaction value (GTV) per order up six per cent, despite orders being down one per cent, driven [...]
Electric cars running out of charge as sales forecast downgraded May 4, 2023 Electric vehicle (EV) sales forecasts have been lowered despite nine consecutive months of growth in the UK car market, as concerns build over inadequate charging infrastructure in the UK. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ (SMMT) forecasts, 22.6 per cent of new car registrations will now be battery electric vehicles (BEVs) by [...]
Victoria Scholar: The economic clouds are parting – for housebuilders, at least February 8, 2024 Victoria Scholar is head of investment at interactive investor and writes a fortnightly notebook for City A.M. In a surprise announcement, Britain’s largest homebuilder Barratt Developments has offered to buy smaller FTSE 250 rival Redrow in a £2.52 billion deal. The announcement skyrocketed shares in Redrow, while Barratt extended its year-to-date declines. The new ‘Barratt [...]
Year of the Dragon: Why investors have soured on China’s economic prospects February 7, 2024 China has powered global growth for decades, but as the year of the dragon begins, has the country still got its fire? Elliot Gulliver-Needham reports
FCA warns Brits to seek help as soon as possible over financial troubles July 6, 2022 The financial regulator has urged Brits to seek help as soon as possible if they are facing financial difficulties amid the spiralling cost of household bills. Research has suggested that many borrowers are missing out on available support, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said on Wednesday. Half of those borrowers in financial difficulty who waited [...]
UK inflation poised to slip out of the double digits for first time since last summer April 16, 2023 UK inflation is poised to slip out of the double digits for the first time since last summer in what could be the beginning of the cost of living crisis gradually releasing its grip on families over the rest of the year. Official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on Wednesday are expected [...]