US markets tumble as Fed signals fewer interest rate cuts in 2025 December 19, 2024 US markets plunged last night after the Federal Reserve signalled that it would take a more cautious path to interest rate cuts next year. Following the Fed’s announcement, the Dow Jones fell 2.6 per cent, the S&P 500 fell three per cent, and the Nasdaq fell 3.6 per cent. This was the biggest decline in [...]
Outsourcing giant Serco: Shares spike as business pipeline “at its best for a decade” December 19, 2024 British outsourcing giant Serco has said that its pipeline of business opportunities is at its strongest in over a decade thanks to a boost from North American defence contracts. Shares subsequently spiked more this seven per cent in early trades. The FTSE 250 firm told markets this morning that underlying operating profit was £270m in 2024, [...]
Household water bills to rise by an average £31 a year from April December 19, 2024 Household water bills in England and Wales will increase by an average £31 a year over the next five years, regulator Ofwat has announced.
CHMC ACCREDITATION: Elevating Standards in the UK’s Professional Services Sector December 19, 2024 Competition is alive and well in the UK’s professional services sector. It drives businesses to continually evolve and adapt and SMEs are always seeking ways to stand out and break through. Professionals are continually looking to improve their skills, develop their talents and prove their worth. Buyers are insisting on ever-greater value for money and [...]
Ed Warner: Why the anti-doping fight desperately needs a shot in the arm December 19, 2024 Confirmation that Mykhailo Mudryk has failed a routine anti-doping test must rightly trigger the usual essential caveats. Chelsea’s Ukrainian winger has only been provisionally suspended. This is simply the start of a process with the facts to be established and the outcome far from certain. What is clear is that Mudryk’s case will be another [...]
I’m putting Markel International ‘on the map’, says president December 19, 2024 The London insurance market is the "jewel in the crown'", it's no surprise that US insurer Markel International has the City at the heart of its strategy
Why one US hedge fund is taking aim at the UK’s biggest investment trusts December 19, 2024 A shake up could be coming for the UK’s investment trust industry after US hedge fund Saba Capital launched a campaign to topple the boards of seven different companies yesterday. “Like the Ghost of Christmas Past, Saba has descended upon the investment trust industry, urging self-reflection,” said Shavar Halberstadt, analyst at Winterflood. There have been [...]
Bleak midwinter for the economy? It could be worse… December 19, 2024 The political and economy outlook for the UK may seem gloomy, but spare a thought for our European counterparts, says Tim Sarson It’s the last working week of 2024 for many of us. I’ll be switching off the laptop on Friday afternoon and packing up for what I hope is a restful Christmas break, give [...]
Devolution will give London the powers it needs to thrive December 19, 2024 The government’s plans for a new era of devolution means three things for London, all of which have the potential for the better and for good, says Sadiq Khan When the late, great John Prescott outlined his vision for a Mayor to lead our capital, he said it would “provide a choice and a voice [...]
The class divide: Why social mobility is the missing piece in DEI December 19, 2024 Any DEI framework that’s focused on ethnicity but silent on the messy realities of social mobility risks letting down the very people it’s trying to champion, says Eliza Filby A couple of months ago I was running a workshop for trainees at an international law firm in the UK helping bright Gen Z recruits integrate [...]