Investors continue to opt for gold driving global demand July 31, 2025 Global demand for gold shows no sign of slowing down as investors and central banks continue to hoover up the safe haven asset. The precious metal rallied over the first half of the year, recording a 26 per cent rise against the dollar and outperforming almost all other major asset classes, according to the latest [...]
Schroders bounces back after weak performance July 31, 2025 Asset manager Schroders has rallied from a poor first quarter caused by tariff turmoil, through strategic investment in line with its three year transformation plan. Assets under management (AUM) remained stable at £776.6bn, down slightly from £778.7bn recorded the previous year, as improved performance and investment of £24bn was offset by foreign exchange movements due [...]
EU-US trade deal faces criticism from European leaders July 28, 2025 European leaders have poured scorn on the EU-US trade deal struck by President Donald Trump and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen over the weekend, with many viewing the agreement as a victory for Trump rather than their own countries. While the pact announced on Sunday has helped dodge a potential transatlantic trade war, [...]
Euro weakens as markets rally following EU-US trade deal July 28, 2025 The euro fell against the dollar in early morning trading, as currency markets focused on the risks to the European economy from the EU-US trade deal despite a positive reaction from global stock markets. The currency was down 0.5 per cent against the dollar at $1.169, wiping away gains made last week after Trump’s “big [...]
UK retail sales bounce back as Brits enjoyed warmest June on record July 25, 2025 Sales for UK retailers rose last month as Britons enjoyed the warmest June on record, which helped drive sales of food and drink, according to official figures. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said overall retail sales volume rose by 0.9 per cent in June, following a 2.8 per cent fall in May, as consumers [...]
Lloyds reports strong growth as UK economic conditions improve July 24, 2025 Lloyds bank has reported a strong financial performance in the first half of the year, achieving income growth and showing continued momentum across the business. The FTSE 100 giant, which includes Lloyd’s, Halifax and Bank of Scotland recorded a statutory profit after tax increase of £2.5bn, up 4 per cent year on year, with a [...]
UK SMEs paralysed by fear despite ‘sitting on piles of cash’ July 17, 2025 Small-to-medium sized companies in the UK (SMEs) are “paralysed by fear” because of geopolitical uncertainty and a lack of clear economic policy, according to new research. Accounting and advisory group Azets said a large number of SMEs are “sitting on significant piles of cash” but are nevertheless holding back on investment. The warning, issued by [...]
Lammy: Iran blocking Strait of Hormuz would be ‘catastrophic mistake’ June 23, 2025 Foreign secretary David Lammy has warned Iran that blocking the crucial Strait of Hormuz shipping lane would be a “mistake” after the nation vowed repercussions following the US’ attacks. Lammy told the BBC this morning: “It would be a catastrophic mistake. It would be a mistake to blockade the Strait of Hormuz.” The foreign secretary [...]
Reeves’ spending spree could open £20bn gap – which taxes will rise? June 12, 2025 Rachel Reeves splashed the taxpayer cash in her inaugural Spending Review, raising expectations the Chancellor may be coming back for more tax revenue in the Autumn if her growth ambitions are not met. Reeves is set to hand out an extra £190bn in government spending over the course of the parliament, in what she described [...]
Londoners most at risk of online fraud, report reveals June 10, 2025 Londoners are at significant risk of digital and financial exclusion after new data revealed one in four people in the UK capital lack confidence in money management. According to research from WPI Economics and Virgin Money, Londoners are twice as likely to experience both digital and financial exclusion than those living in the South East. [...]