UK borrowing costs soar as Iran ceasefire collapses July 14, 2026 The UK’s borrowing costs have sailed past five per cent for only the third time since the onset of the Iran war, in a headache for Andy Burnham just days before he enters Downing Street. The yield on the UK’s 10-year government bond – the benchmark for a country’s long-term ability to borrow – climbed [...]
As it happened: FTSE 100 recovers after oil surge dampens mood; Strikes in the Strait of Hormuz July 14, 2026 Welcome back to the City AM liveblog. Oil prices are marching higher after the latest wave of military action in the Middle East following the US reinstating its blockade on imports from Iran. Brent crude – the international benchmark for oil prices – surged above $84 per barrel on Tuesday, bringing gains for the week [...]
Could an England World Cup win boost the markets? July 14, 2026 The equity markets of World Cup-winning countries frequently outperform immediately after victory. A Goldman Sachs study of tournaments from 1974-2014 found that every winner except Brazil in 2002 subsequently enjoyed a period of market outperformance, says Helen Thomas If football finally came home, what might it do for financial markets, aside from a late start [...]
Strait of Hormuz ‘closed’ as Iran and US exchange strikes July 12, 2026 Iran has declared the Strait of Hormuz closed as it trades fresh strikes with the US over the alleged unauthorised passage of a ship through the vital trade route. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said on Sunday morning that the waterway, which usually accounts for a quarter of the world’s maritime oil trade, will be [...]
UK borrowing costs surge as Trump declares Iran ceasefire over July 8, 2026 UK borrowing costs surged and the price of oil leapt to a two week-high on Wednesday after Donald Trump suggested his already-fragile ceasefire deal with Iran was over. The yield on ten-year gilts – the primary benchmark for how much it costs the government to borrow – stormed 11 basis points higher to 4.96 per [...]
As it happened: FTSE 100 slump as oil soars; Trump says Iran will be ‘hit hard’ tonight July 8, 2026 Welcome back to the City AM liveblog. Global markets are strapping in for a return to risk-aversion after the US and Iran traded strikes overnight following the breakdown of a peace deal in the Middle East. The US kicked off its “series of powerful strikes” late Monday night. The nation’s Central Command said the attacks [...]
Andy Burnham will be ‘in hock’ to the bond markets whether he likes it or not June 24, 2026 With the highest gilt yields in the G7, more borrowing is no longer an option for the next Prime Minister. That leaves the traditional options: raise taxes, cut spending or embark on more ambitious supply-side reforms in areas such as planning, says Daniel Mahoney Governments needing money usually have three options: tax more, spend less, [...]
As it happened: Stocks recover after markets rocked by tech-sell off; US claims ‘good foundations’ of Iran deal June 23, 2026 Welcome back to the City AM liveblog. Markets have shrugged off the latest developments in US-Iran peace with the FTSE 100 falling at open as London got swept up in the wider sell-off that rocked Asia and Wall Street overnight. This comes despite some progress in the Middle East, with Trump’s Vice President JD Vance [...]
Speed or stability? Bond markets strap in for Andy Burnham coronation June 22, 2026 City bond traders are strapping in for a “jumpy” ride as Andy Burnham looks set to cruise into Downing Street uncontested – even if a coronation helps head off the worst volatility, analysts have said. The former Manchester Mayor’s bid for the top job won a major boost today as former health secretary Wes Streeting [...]
Interest rates set to be held as inflation to remain ‘elevated’ despite Iran peace deal June 15, 2026 Interest rates are expected to be left unchanged as Bank of England policymakers wait to find out whether the Iran war peace deal holds up. The Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is set to keep interest rates at 3.75 per cent at a decision later this week. Its decision would suggest that the Bank is [...]