JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs to lead Wall Street profit haul on back of Iran war April 9, 2026 Top Wall Street banks are tipped to reveal huge profit growth next week amid firm investment banking activity and soaring trading volumes on the back of volatility in the Middle East. Goldman Sachs will issue the starting gun on US banks earnings season on Monday, where boss David Solomon has already teased a boom in [...]
‘Dragged out of the dark ages’: Investment industry welcomes risk warnings review April 9, 2026 The UK investment industry has welcomed the findings of the Risk Warnings Review, emphasising the need to remove the extremes-focused view on investing. The review, a study commissioned by the Chancellor as part of the Leeds Reforms, found that consumers’ perception of risk has seriously hindered investing in the UK, with the state of risk [...]
Bill Ackman in talks to launch fund in bid to pounce on investor complacency April 9, 2026 Bill Ackman is reportedly in talks to launch a new fund in an attempt to copy the success of doomsday trades the investor made during the covid pandemic. The billionaire hedge fund manager’s investment company Pershing Square would use the fund to make “asymmetric” trades aimed at profiting by betting against the leading market narratives, [...]
Peace in Iran – but for how long? April 9, 2026 Markets are decidedly relieved at news that despite unhinged threats from the orange occupant of the White House, a civilisation has not in fact been wiped out and the US reached a temporary ceasefire with Iran. But as Trump gets around the negotiating table – let’s hope he can stay awake – how certain can [...]
The UK’s risk aversion culture is holding back investment April 9, 2026 The UK perception of investment risk is holding back a wave of capital into equities as Brits continue to view the stock market as a casino and squirrel their savings away in the safety of cash. The UK investment sector has become plagued by the widespread, standardised use of risk warnings, which instead of telling [...]
Close Brothers and First Rand look to park motor finance row April 8, 2026 After countless speed bumps, sharp handbreak turns and a fair few false starts, the two banks that took the motor finance scandal to the top finally look to put it in the rearview mirror. Close Brothers and Aldermore owner First Rand have sought to wrap up the over two-year long saga after the financial watchdog [...]
‘Significant backlog’ for Tribunal cases as new workers’ rights come into law April 8, 2026 Concerns have been raised about the “ongoing and significant” backlog at the Employment Tribunal as new worker rights come into play this week. The Law Society, while welcoming the launch of the Fair Work Agency (FWA), raised concerns that the new agency will be equipped to tackle the case backlog. Between Monday and Tuesday, a [...]
Oil slides and stocks surge as US hails ‘chance at peace’ April 8, 2026 Global markets breathed a much-needed sigh of relief on Wednesday morning after it emerged Donald Trump reached a temporary ceasefire agreement with Iran, just hours before a high-stakes deadline in which the US president had threatened to destroy bridges, power plants and swathes of Iranian infrastructure. On Tuesday Trump set a dramatic ultimatum that “a [...]
Energy bills threat recedes but retail and hospitality remain on brink April 8, 2026 Retail and hospitality leaders are optimistic that the Iran-US ceasefire could spare them from the worst energy bill shocks, but are urging the government to address an array of other cost pressures. British businesses had warned that the soaring energy prices caused by the war in the Middle East could be devastating if the conflict [...]
‘Beautiful thing’: Trump moots US-Iran tax for ships in Strait of Hormuz April 8, 2026 President Trump has floated the prospect of a “joint venture” with the Iranian leadership on administering a tax on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz in a new peace deal for the region. Trump said both the US and Iran could jointly tax ships passing through the stretch of water, which is critical for [...]