As it happened: Stocks fall as oil creeps up; Trump to ‘finish job’ in Iran July 9, 2026 Welcome back to the City AM liveblog. The escalation of the conflict in the Middle East has wiped out the recovery across global markets that had slowly took place over the last few weeks. The US and Iran exchanged further fire overnight, with America’s central command stating it had hit around 90 Iranian targets in [...]
If Burnham wants growth he’ll have to save the City July 9, 2026 Quite the roll call: Beazley, Tate & Lyle, Intertek, Schroders, easyjet. Companies abandon their public listing for their own reasons but the cumulative impact cannot be ignored and, given the dearth of any substantial new entrants, it cannot be dismissed as the healthy churn of dynamic capital markets. Far from it. A typically punchy note [...]
‘Moment of jeopardy’: City leaders issue rallying cry to safeguard London’s future as top financial hub July 9, 2026 London stands at a “moment of jeopardy”, top business leaders have warned, as they issued a rallying cry to secure the Square Mile’s future as a top global financial hub. The City bigwigs, including Soc Gen UK chief executive Thierry d’Argent, London Metal Exchange boss Matthew Chamberlain and former City minister Bim Afolami, have called [...]
‘One-two punch’ – Families face huge capital gains death tax under Burnham July 9, 2026 Bereaved families could face a huge tax bill under an Andy Burnham premiership if the likely next Prime Minister presses ahead with a policy to hike capital gains tax on assets of the deceased. Supporters of Burnham, including the former health secretary Wes Streeting and ex-transport minister Louise Haigh, have said previously they believe wealth [...]
IMF offers UK modest growth upgrade despite fresh Iran war tension July 8, 2026 The UK economy is set to grow just one per cent this year, according to the The International Monetary Fund (IMF), following a modest revision from its previous gloomy prediction. The IMF said the consequences Iran war, which has led to continued disruptions across the economically-critical Strait of Hormuz, would soften momentum across the UK [...]
Senior exec layoffs surge as firms brace for major employment law change July 8, 2026 Senior exec exits from top businesses have surged since the start of the year as firms quietly clear out highly-paid staff before fresh costs associated with the Employment Rights Act changes come into force. Law firms have seen a “massive uptick in inquiries” from top staff exploring their legal options after being told they face [...]
Kendall blasts ‘unacceptably slow’ online safety laws as VPN loophole grows July 8, 2026 Liz Kendall has admitted parliament is moving “unacceptably slow” on regulating online platforms, as ministers face questions over whether teenagers will simply use VPNs to dodge the UK’s incoming under-16 social media ban. Speaking to the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee on Wednesday, the tech secretary said the eight-year journey from the first ideas behind [...]
State-backed pension scheme plans to pump £1bn into start-ups July 8, 2026 The UK’s largest state backed pension scheme is planning to invest up to £1bn in venture capital by the end of the decade in a bid to boost returns for its members and fuel economic growth. The National Employment Savings Trust, dubbed Nest, said its plans to expand into high-growth private companies will begin with [...]
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 [...]
The former African gold miner taking on the billionaire Issa brothers July 8, 2026 Roadside Real Estate has been along a weird and wonderful journey since it was first floated on the stock market. The company began life as Sovereign Mines of Africa, hunting gold deposits in the farthest corners of the African continent. But in 2016 the firm had a change of heart and decided to sell its [...]