Topps Tiles’ commercial business to climb into profitability next year July 6, 2022 The UK’s largest tile retailer, Topps Tiles, has said its historically loss-making commercial business will climb into profitability next year, as it continues to navigate falling consumer confidence, supply chain challenges and historic levels of inflation. “We remain confident that the business will break even in the second half of the year and then move [...]
UK consumer confidence staggers in face of no-deal Brexit August 30, 2019 Consumer confidence in personal financial situations slumped in August, driven by the increasing uncertainty caused by Brexit. A measure recording changes in personal finances during the last 12 months fell by two points this month to -1, a decline of five points compared to August last year. Read more: UK consumer confidence slumps in June [...]
Rush to buy Christmas presents lifts Brits’ optimism November 19, 2021 A rush to buy Christmas presents early to avoid being stung by potential shortages has lifted Brits’ confidence. Shoppers are ready to pounce on big ticket purchases at Black Friday and over the festive period, research by GfK has found. Intention to splurge on expensive products jumped seven percentage points over the last month, climbing [...]
FTSE 100 close: Barclays, HSBC and Easyjet shine on otherwise poor day in London January 25, 2023 London’s FTSE 100 today gave up morning gains to finish lower before stronger-than-expected retail earnings provided a balm against recession fears. The capital’s premier index fell 0.22 per cent to 7,740.34 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the UK economy, slid 0.38 per cent to [...]
London’s FTSE 100 jumps amid receding recession jitters July 18, 2022 Recession fears among investors eased today ahead of a bumper week of economic data. London’s premier FTSE 100 index jumped 0.9 per cent to 7,223.24 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the UK economy, climbed 0.96 per cent to over 19,000 for the first time [...]
EV sales drive new car market growth in September October 5, 2022 The sale of electric vehicles (EVs) has driven a 4.6 per growth in September’s new car market, according to data published today. Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reported that new electric vehicle registrations grew by 16.5 per cent to more than 38,000 units. After March, September is the second-biggest month [...]
Next week in the City: Prudential, Bunzl and Grafton update investors August 26, 2023 Despite an August lull taking hold of the corporate calendar, Prudential, Bunzl and Grafton.
Post SVB reforms to UK banking regulation leaves sector divided April 19, 2023 Figures in the banking sector are divided over suggested reform to deposit protection, with regulators reported to be mulling raising the deposit insurance threshold in the wake of the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) last month. According to a report from the Financial Times, regulators are considering updating the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) [...]
Next: Prices to rise in the spring – but boss hopeful inflation will ease in second half January 5, 2023 Next has warned it will lift prices further in the spring as the retailer’s chief said he was optimistic that inflation would let up in the second-half of the year. The fashion firm hiked its full-year profit guidance after seeing better than expected sales over the Christmas shopping period. The high street staple lifted its [...]
Bank of England risks tipping UK economy into recession with further interest rate hikes, MPC’s Dhingra warns March 8, 2023 The Bank of England risks tipping the UK economy into recession if it raises interest rates too aggressively and worsening the cost of living crisis, a top official said today. Swati Dhingra, an external member of the Bank of England rate setting monetary policy committee (MPC), warned “overtightening poses a more material risk at this [...]