As it happened: Oil prices tumble as Bessent says US-Iran deal imminent; miner stocks rally August 4, 2026 Welcome back to the City AM FTSE 100 liveblog. The price of oil tumbled on Tuesday afternoon after a senior Trump ally said that a deal over control of the Strait of Hormuz could be agreed with Iran in the coming days. The price of Brent crude – the international benchmark for oil – tumbled [...]
Shipbroker shares fly on Iran war windfall August 3, 2026 Shares in Clarksons climbed as much as nine per cent on Monday, after the ship broker revealed a record performance in the first half of the year and told shareholders to expect full-year results “materially ahead” of expectations. Pre-tax profit at the shipping juggernaut was 39 per cent higher than the same period last year, [...]
Manufacturers overcome gloomy economy as output surge continues August 3, 2026 Manufacturers have overcome a gloomy economic outlook across the country as businesses boosted production to levels not seen in almost two years, new data has revealed. According to S&P Global’s monthly survey of output across manufacturers, business activity continued to increase in what was the ninth consecutive month of growth in the sector. The purchasing [...]
As it happened: UK stocks cool after Astrazeneca drags; Trump and Iran clash over peace talks August 3, 2026 Welcome back to the City AM liveblog. The London stock market is starting the new week relatively mixed after Donald Trump hinted a deal between US and Iran on the Strait of Hormuz is near, but was contradicted by communication from Tehran. The US President has said that Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Iran [...]
Trump suspends strikes amid new peace hopes August 2, 2026 President Trump has said the “perimeters of a deal” have been agreed with Iran, prompting him to call off strikes in the Middle East. The US president said that Iran and Gulf region countries had “asked” the US to suspend strikes due to the workings of a new peace deal. In a Truth Social post, [...]
Will Formula 1 need to refund sponsors for cancelled Middle East races? August 2, 2026 Anna Sowerby dissects what happens with sponsorship agreements when events, such as Formula 1 Grands Prix, are cancelled As we enjoy yet another blockbuster summer of sport, the current global landscape is a stark reminder of just how quickly situations can change and put events at risk of being cancelled. The obvious example being the [...]
BP eyes finalising sale of solar arm to Kuwait-backed wealth fund July 25, 2026 Oil giant BP is in advanced talks to sell its solar power business to an investor backed by Kuwait’s sovereign wealth fund as it moves away from pushing net zero. Private equity firm Qualitas Energy, and Wren House, the infrastructure arm of Kuwait Investment Authority, have joined forces to bid for Lighthouse, BP’s solar business. [...]
Burnham’s cost of living push under threat as oil hits $100 July 23, 2026 The benchmark oil price has hit $100 per barrel amid a re-escalation of war in the Middle East, undermining Andy Burnham’s cost of living drive. Brent crude oil prices inched past the $100 milestone on Thursday afternoon following attacks by the Houthis, an Iran-backed militia based in Yemen, on two Saudi Arabian tankers. The recent [...]
Oil prices return to crisis levels July 22, 2026 Oil prices have returned to levels not seen since the beginning of June, after both the US and Iran warned that hopes of a return to peace negotiations were premature. The spot price of Brent crude broke $95 a barrel on Wednesday morning for the first time since the warring parties agreed a 60-day ceasefire [...]
Layoffs and an executive exit: What’s going on at London’s first listed law firm? July 22, 2026 Gateley, the City’s first listed law firm, is set to lose its chief executive and axe dozens of jobs as it grapples with a swelling cost base and fears of a slowdown in client spending. The group, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM), informed shareholders on Tuesday that chief [...]