Little ‘Christmas cheer’ as UK consumer confidence falls November 20, 2020 New coronavirus restrictions and rising cases knocked UK consumer confidence in November, a survey has shown, as people became more gloomy about their future economic health. The closely watched consumer confidence index from researcher GfK fell two points to minus 33 in November, its lowest reading since June. Britain’s economy has been hit particularly hard [...]
FTSE 100 and global stocks fall after vaccine sugar-rush November 19, 2020 The FTSE 100 and global stocks dropped as worries about rising coronavirus cases and longer-than-expected lockdowns knocked the index after positive vaccine news drove it higher yesterday. London’s main stock index fell 0.9 per cent to 6,327 points by mid-afternoon. The FTSE 250 of slightly smaller firms also fell 0.9 per cent. In the US, [...]
UK salaries rise by 1.7 per cent on low inflation November 19, 2020 UK employees in the private sector received a better-than-forecast average salary increase this year next year are set to be muted. ECA International’s Salary Trends report reveals most employees received a 1.7 per cent salary increase, ahead of the forecasted 1.1 per cent due to low inflation. Real salary increase is based on the difference [...]
US unemployment benefit numbers spike on fresh Covid-19 resurgence fears November 19, 2020 The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits unexpectedly rose last week as new business closures to control the spiraling Covid-19 infections unleashed a fresh wave of layoffs and further slowed the labor market recovery.
UK manufacturing orders drop as near-term outlook darkens November 19, 2020 Britain’s manufacturers suffered a fall in orders in November as governments tightened coronavirus restrictions in a bid to halt the rapid spread of coronavirus, a survey has shown. The CBI’s monthly measure of manufacturing order books fell to a score of minus 40 in November. It had picked up sharply to minus 34 in October, [...]
Treasury launches listings review to lure companies to float in the UK November 19, 2020 The Treasury has today launched a review into the rules governing public listings in a bid to lure firms to float in the UK. Former British commissioner to the EU Lord Hill will lead the review which is aimed at helping to shape the UK’s financial services industry after Brexit. Lord Hill will present his [...]
One in seven UK companies at risk of collapse as recovery slows November 19, 2020 Around one in seven UK companies said they were at risk of collapse as the economy faces a tough winter with coronavirus cases still surging and an England-wide lockdown in place. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said 14 per cent of UK companies reported having “low or no confidence” that they would survive the [...]
ECB’s Lagarde: EU must release Covid recovery funds ‘without delay’ November 19, 2020 European Central Bank (ECB) president Christine Lagarde has urged EU countries to solve their disagreements over the €750bn (£670bn) recovery fund, amid fears that delays could damage economies facing a tough winter of rising coronavirus cases. Lagarde told the European Parliament that the budget package – which amounts to around €1.8 trillion overall – “must [...]
Struggling Cineworld leads the list of 10 most shorted UK stocks November 19, 2020 Investors have taken big bets against cinema group Cineworld and energy firms Premier Oil and Tullow Oil, with Blackrock taking the highest number of short positions in the UK market, new analysis has shown. Behind Cineworld, Premier and Tullow, the most shorted stocks as of 12 November included oil services firm Petrofac, lender Metro Bank [...]
CMC Markets posts record results as pandemic fuels trading activity November 19, 2020 CMC Markets enjoyed a bumper start to the year after more than doubling its income in the first half, capitalising on market volatility amid the pandemic. The trading platform reported a record £230.9m in net operating income for the six months ended 30 September, up from £102.3m in the same period last year. CMC, whose [...]