Hercules PLC: Powering Britain’s infrastructure ambitions May 21, 2025 The UK stands on the cusp of an unprecedented infrastructure revolution. With governmental commitments indicating significant investment (plans previously cited at £700bn-£750bn), the nation is poised to transform its transport networks, energy systems, and digital infrastructure. This undertaking will not only require capital but also a large, skilled workforce that can adapt to the nation’s [...]
UBS creates AI tool to monitor interest rate cuts May 21, 2025 UBS has created an AI model that takes a view on central bank’s hawks and doves when interest rates are set in a bid to cut through the noise of hard-to-read press conferences. In a new policy paper spanning 38 pages, the Swiss bank revealed that its new tool is adept at “measuring the tone [...]
Europa League final: Why winning competition is worth £120m May 21, 2025 Tonight in Bilbao, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur will be hoping to salvage their season by winning the Europa League final. The two teams are currently 16th and 17th in the Premier League, a far cry from the top-five finish required for a place in next season’s Champions League. However, winning the Europa League would [...]
Close Brothers shares drop as costs rise from motor finance threat May 21, 2025 Close Brothers said fees and expenses were still at an “elevated level” in a third-quarter update on Wednesday as motor finance troubles continued. The group’s net expenses hit £13.9m for the period, compared to £11.6m for the third-quarter in 2024. The lender said it continued to experience heightened “professional fees and expenses” following the Financial [...]
Reeves’ taxes push inflation to 3.5 per cent in ‘Awful April’ May 21, 2025 Inflation bounced back up to 3.5 per cent in April, official data has revealed, underlining the cost burden firms are taking on after Chancellor Reeves’ tax hikes on employers and rise to the national living wage came into effect. Consumer price inflation rose by 1.2 per cent on a month-on-month basis, higher than the last [...]
Currys: Shares dip despite interest rates helping sales at retailer May 21, 2025 Electrical retailer Currys has reported a jump in profit after sales jumped thanks in part to a boost from lower interest costs. In a trading update on Wednesday, the firm said it expects pre-tax profit to come in at £162m, up 37 per cent year-on-year. Previous guidance had indicated profit for the period ending May [...]
M&S raises dividend after profit surge – despite cyber hit May 21, 2025 Marks and Spencer has boosted its dividend after reporting profit at a 15-year high, despite the significant impact of its ongoing attack. M&S told investors it would raise its yearly dividend by 20 per cent to 3.6p this year. The dividend boost came after the high street darling told markets that profit before tax and [...]
Red Bull diluted: Energy drink giant reduces stake in Leeds United May 21, 2025 Red Bull’s stake in Leeds United has reduced to below 10 per cent after the German energy drinks company declined the opportunity to invest in the issue of £120m of new shares ahead of the club’s return to the Premier League. The new funding has been provided by members of the 100-strong consortium of investors [...]
Pisces has the potential to flourish – if the FCA plays its cards right May 21, 2025 New Pisces markets could begin trading before the end of this year, in what the government hopes will be a boost for fast-growing companies in search of a stepping stone before reaching IPO. The framework, known as the Private Intermittent Securities and Capital Exchange System, will allow the creation of a new type of private [...]
Uber unveils tie-up with Eurostar challenger May 21, 2025 Uber is planning a partnership deal with one of the firms seeking to oust Eurostar as the sole operator of the Channel Tunnel. Gemini Trains, spearheaded by the Labour peer Lord Berkeley, is one of several competitors looking to break Eurostar’s 30-year monopoly on cross-channel services. Passengers will be able to book tickets via the [...]