FTSE 100 on course for monthly decline as record GDP drop confirmed September 30, 2020 FTSE 100 flat as government figures confirm a masssive fall in UK GDP
State-owned bank raised concerns over bounce back loans’ fraud risk September 30, 2020 The state-owned British Business Bank issued formal objections to the government’s coronavirus Bounce Back Loan and Future Fund schemes ahead of their launch, newly-released documents show. In letters sent to business secretary Alok Sharma in May, BBB chief executive Keith Morgan raised concerns including the BBL scheme’s “very significant fraud and credit risks” and whether [...]
BoE’s Andy Haldane warns against ‘Chicken Licken’ economic pessimism September 30, 2020 The Bank of England’s chief economist said there was a risk that overly pessimistic “Chicken Licken” views about the impact of Covid-19 would hold back Britain’s economic recovery from the pandemic. In a speech given today, Andy Haldane said that authorities such as the BoE have a “public responsibility to avoid economic catastrophizing” during the [...]
Coronavirus: TSB to axe a third of branches and over 900 jobs September 30, 2020 TSB has announced plans to close 164 branches and cut over 900 jobs as the British lender grapples with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The lender said the cuts – which represent a 10 per cent reduction in the bank’s workforce and the loss of a third of its branches – were part of [...]
London businesses among most confident in the UK, survey shows September 30, 2020 London businesses were among the most confident of any UK region in September, a new survey showed, with sentiment across the country reaching its highest level since lockdown began in March. Business confidence in the capital rose nine points during September to minus four per cent, according to Lloyds Business Barometer. While overall UK confidence [...]
FTSE 100 sinks ahead of Brexit talks and US presidential debate September 29, 2020 The FTSE 100 lost momentum today as rising coronavirus cases kept investor sentiment subdued ahead of the next round of Brexit negotiations and the first US presidential debate. The blue-chip index had slipped 0.72 per cent by lunchtime after following global stocks higher yesterday in a so-called relief rally. Read more: Hotel Chocolat swings to [...]
UK mortgage approvals hit 13-year high in August as post-lockdown surge continues September 29, 2020 UK mortgage approvals hit a 13-year high in August as pent-up demand post-lockdown continued to boost the housing market, but consumers became more cautious about day-to-day borrowing. Mortgage approvals for the month were 84,700, according to new data from the Bank of England — the highest rate of approvals since October 2007, just before the [...]
AA extends takeover offer deadline as interim profits slip September 29, 2020 AA has extended the deadline for private equity suitors to make a takeover offer for the company, as the roadside assistance group reported a drop in profit as the pandemic hit its operations. The company confirmed last week that it was in talks about a possible all-cash offer from a consortium made up of private [...]
Exclusive: MPs slam ‘inconsistency and incompetence’ as SMEs struggle to get bounce back loans September 28, 2020 Banks have been told to ensure that no small businesses are “locked out” of government-backed coronavirus loans, after firms were left unable to access the loans despite being eligible for funding. MPs said lenders accredited under the scheme should re-open applications for bounce back loans (BBLs), designed to help small companies weather the pandemic. Barclays [...]
FTSE 100 climbs as ‘relief rally’ pushes global equities higher September 28, 2020 The FTSE 100 has started the week off strong, climbing as much as 1.69 per cent amid a global “relief rally” as investors rushed to buy up shares in beaten-down sectors after last week’s sharp stock market sell-off. Blue chips HSBC and spirits-maker Diageo helped boost the British blue-chip index on Monday, which was also [...]
