Reeves to deliver ‘stability’ Spring Statement amid turmoil in Iran March 3, 2026 Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to deliver a Spring Statement trumpeting the UK’s economic stability against the backdrop of a war in the Middle East, with official forecasts expected to touch on lower growth, falling inflation and higher unemployment over the coming months. In an address to the House of Commons around 12.30pm today, Reeves [...]
Dow Jones slides as FTSE 100 extends losses amid Iran strikes March 2, 2026 Wall Street joined Europe as markets opened on Monday with losses spread across the board as tensions escalated across the Middle East. The Dow Jones dropped nearly one per cent on open to 48,534.58 whilst the S&P 500 shed around 0.7 per cent to 6,828.47. The tech-heavy Nasdaq tumbled 0.7 per cent to 22,505.32. In [...]
Ex Goldman chief: I smell another financial crisis March 2, 2026 Goldman Sachs’ top boss throughout the 2008 financial crisis has sounded the alarm that the global economy was drawing closer to another crash. Billionaire investment banker Lloyd Blankfein, who served at the helm of Goldman from 2006 until 2018, said: “I don’t feel the storm, but the horses are starting to whinny in the corral.” [...]
Manufacturing exports highest in four years despite jobs decline March 2, 2026 Export orders across the manufacturing sector hit its highest level in four years and a half despite a continued decline in employment across the sector, new research has shown. S&P Global’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI) has pointed to upbeat news on the UK economy ahead of tomorrow’s Spring Statement, which will be delivered by Chancellor [...]
Private sector to decline but City to buck trend March 2, 2026 Activity in the private sector is forecast to decline over the next three months but firms across business and professional services are set to enjoy their best quarter since 2024, the UK’s leading industry group has said. The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has found that most firms expect activity to fall in the next [...]
Oil prices spike as UK base hit by Iranian missile March 2, 2026 Oil prices spiked this morning as tensions continued to escalate in the Middle East, raising concerns that a key shipping route could be halted and an Iranian missile attack on an RAF base could drag the UK into a regional war. The cost of a barrel of brent crude – the international benchmark for oil [...]
FTSE 100 Live: Gas price surge after LNG halt, stocks slide amid Iran conflict March 2, 2026 Good morning and welcome to the City AM liveblog. Global markets were in store for another dose of risk to kick off the new week after tensions in the Middle East reached a boiling point over the weekend. The cost of a barrel of brent crude – the international benchmark for oil prices – climbed [...]
Business confidence slumps ahead of Spring Statement March 2, 2026 Business confidence slumped back in February as directors’ frustration with the state of the UK economy grew, new research has shown. The Institute of Directors’ latest business confidence survey has uncovered bosses’ exasperation with the UK economy and the level of employment taxes preventing them from taking on more workers. The IoD said its economic [...]
Investors tremble as Iran risks oil price spiral with attack on Strait of Hormuz February 28, 2026 City analysts and policymakers are on edge as a possible attack by Iran on the Strait of Hormuz could send oil prices spiralling. Investors fear a new inflationary shock could hit major economies including the UK as a result of full-blown war between the US and Iran. Many had pinned hopes on nuclear programme negotiations [...]
Consumer confidence slips in latest setback for Labour February 27, 2026 Consumer confidence slipped slightly in February despite hopes of a turnaround, adding to fears the UK economy could slump this year. A closely-monitored survey conducted by the research firm GfK said consumer confidence dropped by three points to -19. The reading reflects dampened spirits among British consumers in what will likely worry Labour strategists keen [...]