US GDP plummets 31 per cent in second quarter to lowest on record September 30, 2020 US GDP plummeted 31.4 per cent in the three months to July to the lowest level on record, data revealed today, as President Donald Trump scrambles to restore the economy ahead of the presidential election next month. Annualised figures released today by the US Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) revised up an earlier estimate which [...]
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 [...]
SSE remains on track for £250m coronavirus hit September 30, 2020 Energy giant SSE today confirmed that it was on course for a £120m to £130m hit for the first six months of the year due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Back in July, when it unveiled its full year results, the firm warned that the pandemic, which has caused power demand to drop, [...]
Coronavirus: UK economy slumped by a fifth in second quarter September 30, 2020 The UK economy suffered a record-breaking collapse in the second quarter, slumping 19.8 per cent as the coronavirus pandemic hammered demand and left swathes of the economy unable to operate. Gross domestic product shrank by 19.8 per cent in between April and June, the Office for National Statistics said, slightly less than the initial 20.4 [...]
David Beckham’s e-sports team Guild raises £20m ahead of market debut September 29, 2020 David Beckham’s e-sports company has raised £20m ahead of its plans to list on the London Stock Exchange this week. The company, which announced plans to float earlier this month, will be the first e-sports enterprise to go public in Britain. On Tuesday Guild said its oversubscribed offering of 250m shares was priced at 8 [...]
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 [...]
FTSE 100 dividend payouts fall to lowest level in nearly a decade September 29, 2020 Dividend payouts by FTSE 100 firms have dropped to their lowest point in nearly a decade as the pandemic forces companies to slash payments. Dividend payments for FTSE 100 firms are forecast to plunge 24 per cent this year, according to AJ Bell. It follows an 11 per cent drop in 2019, leaving the total [...]
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 [...]
Cairn Energy plunges to $324m loss after hefty one-off charge September 29, 2020 Oil explorer Cairn Energy today booked a $324m (£251.8m) loss for the first half after it was hit by a hefty impairment charge related to its assets in Senegal. However, the FTSE 250 firm said that it had safely managed the coronavirus crisis and was well positioned to generate future growth. The figures In a [...]
Octopus wraps tentacles around US with Evolve Energy purchase September 29, 2020 Challenger energy brand Octopus has today continued its international expansion with its first foray into the massive US market. The firm, which has grown rapidly since launching four years ago and now boasts 1.7m accounts in the UK, has bought American supplier Evolve Energy in a $5m (£3.9m) deal. The acquisition is the first step [...]