HSBC set to unveil bigger profits as cost-cutting overhaul in focus February 16, 2025 HSBC is set to unveil bigger profits as investors prepare for an update on the bank’s cost-cutting overhaul, while earnings for Lloyds will be in focus amid a long-running motor finance probe. Rivals Barclays and NatWest set the tone for the banking sector when they reported stronger earnings this week, despite UK interest rates starting [...]
Analysts say ‘Buy’ Natwest shares after annual results February 14, 2025 Analysts have slapped a ‘Buy’ rating on Natwest shares after the bank’s annual results beat expectations. Peel Hunt analysts Robert Sage and Stuart Duncan said the lender’s strong performance in 2024 increased “conviction that market expectations can be delivered”. Natwest reported a £6.2bn pre-tax profit for 2024, up 0.3 per cent on 2023’s headline figure, [...]
WFH: Just one in 10 Gen Z want to be in the office full-time February 14, 2025 Only one in ten Gen Z employees want to work in the office full-time and more than half admit they are less industrious than their parents. According to a Times-led study into the generation, more than one in five respondents (21 per cent) of Gen Z, who are between 18 and 27 years old, spend [...]
Barclays puts aside £90m for motor finance scandal February 13, 2025 Barclays announced in its annual results it had set aside £90m to cover potential motor finance payouts, amidst ongoing disputes over the misconduct row. This follows the landmark Court of Appeal’s October 2024 judgment, ruling in favour of three consumers and determining that lenders were liable for paying undisclosed commission to car dealers who acted [...]
‘Temporary share price glitch’ sends Barclays shares lower February 13, 2025 Shares in Barclays slumped on Thursday morning after the bank posted its annual results. The Big Four bank reported a £8.1bn pre-tax profit, up 24 per cent from 2024, surpassing analyst expectations of £8.07bn. However, its stock dropped five per cent, as low as 290.34p after the market opened. Still, despite the drop, Peel Hunt [...]
Barclays beats expectations after Tesco Bank takeover February 13, 2025 Barclays surpassed analyst expectations in its annual results report on Thursday, after a strong year for its investment banking arm and day one benefits of its Tesco Bank takeover. The FTSE 100 bank reported a pretax profit of £1.7bn in the fourth quarter, ahead of the £1.62bn expected by analysts. For 2024 as a whole, the [...]
Barclays and Natwest to set tone for Big Four banks in year ahead February 12, 2025 As Britain’s Big Four banks prepare to post annual results, analysts expect “strong” performances, but warned of long-term challenges. Barclays and Natwest will lead the first round of results this week, with the pair reporting on Thursday and Friday respectively. This will be followed by HSBC on February 19 and Lloyds on February 20. The [...]
Rachel Reeves to meet bank bosses as growth agenda stalls February 10, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to meet top bank bosses this week in the latest attempt to kickstart her growth agenda. The embattled Labour chancellor has reportedly called in top executives at Barclays, Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest and Nationwide, according to Sky News’ Mark Kleinman. This comes as the government’s growth strategy continues to falter. [...]
Bank shareholders eye returns as Barclays and Natwest report February 9, 2025 Shareholders in two of the UK’s biggest banks will be hoping for further returns next week as they shed light on recent trading amid an uncertain economic backdrop. Barclays and NatWest will lead a raft of annual results updates by UK banks, after a recent positive period for the sector. Shares in both firms have [...]
Barclays says services are back to normal after technical issue ‘resolved’ February 2, 2025 Barclays has apologised to customers after technical problems caused disruption to services and payments over the weekend. The bank said the issue had been resolved on Sunday morning and delayed payments processed. Barclays had previously said affected customers could see an outdated balance with payments made or received not showing. On Sunday morning, a Barclays [...]