City frets over steeper Bank of England rate rise after GDP boost in May July 13, 2022 A better than expected assessment of the UK economy was not enough to push London’s top indexes higher today. The capital’s premier FTSE 100 index dropped 0.74 per cent to 7,156.37 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the UK economy, fell 0.76 per cent to [...]
London markets ignore Johnson exit as banks lead FTSE 100 higher July 7, 2022 London markets today shrugged off prime minister Boris Johnson bowing to days of pressure and ministerial resignations and quitting office. The capital’s premier index jumped 1.14 per cent to 7,189.08 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, climbed 1.51 per cent to 18,875.53 points. Investors have been muted to the upheaval at Westminster over [...]
Pandemic-born businesses could add over £20bn to UK economy, study shows July 7, 2022 Businesses started during the Covid pandemic could add £20.4bn to the UK economy as the number of start-ups during the pandemic grew. About 800,000 companies were registered in the first year of the pandemic in the UK, 22 per cent more than the year before, a joint report by CBI Economics and NatWest showed. 80 [...]
UK Finance chair Bob Wigley: We need to create ‘reasons for banks to be in London’ July 4, 2022 Bob Wigley, a seasoned City veteran, knows a thing or two about banking. He has chaired UK Finance, the British banking sector’s representative body, since its creation in 2017 by condensing several lobby groups into one. He was also instrumental in setting up TheCityUK, spent over a decade with investment banking giant Merrill Lynch and [...]
UK banks’ profits surge past French rivals for first time since before Brexit vote July 4, 2022 Profits at Britain’s banks have topped their French counterparts for the first time since before the Brexit vote, reveals a fresh study published today. The UK’s largest lenders posted pre-tax profits of $55.1bn (£45.6bn) last year, slightly higher than the $54.8bn (£45.3bn) registered by French banks, according to The Banker’s annual top 1,000 world bank [...]
Turbulent market pushes government to extend timeline for selling NatWest stake June 22, 2022 The UK has extending its trading timeline for when it will finally sell its taxpayer stake in NatWest by another year, as economic conditions worsen. In a statement this morning, the government said it will only dispose of its remaining 48.5 per cent share in NatWest “when it represents value for money to do so [...]
Exclusive: Revolut boss criticises FCA over sluggish progress on banking licence June 15, 2022 The founder of fintech giant Revolut has criticised the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) after the firm’s progress towards a full banking licence had been "slower” than expected.
London outpaces UK growth in May but signs of hard times begin to emerge June 13, 2022 LONDON’S businesses outperformed the rest of the UK in May but there are signs staff shortages and inflation are starting to bite, according to a closely-watched business activity index. Natwest’s monthly tracker of both manufacturing and services suggests London’s businesses continued to expand last month but at the slowest rate since the ‘pingdemic’ last year. [...]
Swelling of ‘generation rent’ means many won’t be homeowners until 40s, 50s or even pension age June 8, 2022 Almost 15 per cent of renters think they may be picking up their pension before becoming homeowners, as the cost of living crisis continues to eat into savings. With so-called ‘Generation Rent’ continuing to be impacted by soaring house prices that prevents them from getting onto the property ladder, a new survey commissioned for NatWest [...]
What impact could Monkeypox have on the FTSE 100? June 6, 2022 Defensive stocks Fortunately for the FTSE 100, oil majors BP and Shell are profiting from the rising price of Brent Crude. Likewise, the big four banks —HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds and NatWest — are seeing profit spikes with every base rate increase. With CPI inflation at 9% and rising, many more could be on the way. And [...]