UK PMIs: Services activity plunges to lowest level since May February 3, 2021 UK services activity fell to its lowest levels since last May as stricter coronavirus lockdowns battered the country’s businesses. The IHS Markit/Cips purchasing managers (PMI) index for services registered 39.4 in January, with any score below the 50 mark indicating contraction. That’s more than a 10 point drop from last month’s reading, one of the biggest falls [...]
Swiss stocks given all clear to resume trading in London February 3, 2021 Shares in Swiss companies will once again be traded on UK exchanges after Switzerland’s financial regulator gave the move the all-clear this morning. Since June 2019, a spat between the EU and Switzerland has meant that the bloc’s exchanges have been banned from Swiss shares. But with the UK no longer a member of the [...]
UK airports launch fresh bid for new government support February 3, 2021 The UK’s airports have today launched a fresh bid for more financial support from the government as the pandemic shows no signs of abating. The Airport Operators’ Association (AOA) today said that it did not expect passenger numbers to recover to pre-Covid levels until 2025 at the earliest. It said that the coming summer needed [...]
Ryanair ‘jab & go’ ads deemed ‘misleading’ by watchdog February 3, 2021 The advertising watchdog has banned Ryanair from airing its controversial “jab & go” advert, in ruling published today. The Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) said it had received 2,370 complaints over the advert – the third most for any single ad. ASA said that the campaign, which encouraged people to book flights with Ryanair after getting [...]
Oil prices hit highest levels in a year as producers cut output February 2, 2021 Oil prices rose more than 2.5 per cent today to reach its highest since last February after major producers showed they were reining in output roughly in line with their commitments. Brent crude was up 2.5 per cent at $57.77 a barrel for its third straight day of gains and the highest levels in 12 [...]
Octopus snares Ofwat chief executive as rapid growth continues February 2, 2021 Fast-growing energy firm Octopus has lured Ofwat chief executive Rachel Fletcher away from the water regulator, it was announced today. Fletcher, who spent three years at Ofwat, will become the challenger brand’s director of regulation and economics. Octopus is one of the UK’s fastest growing companies, and last year acquired the rare “double unicorn” status [...]
Ferrovial in new attempt to offload Amey February 2, 2021 Spanish infrastructure firm Ferrovial has getting ready for a second attempt at a sale of outsourcing firm Amey. Sky News reported that the firm had appointed Morgan Stanley to run the sale, which comes two years after a prior attempt to sell the services group. The company is one of the UK’s biggest outsourcing firms, [...]
Revealed: The London bus drivers ‘abandoned’ to the pandemic February 2, 2021 London bus drivers have told City A.M. they were “abandoned” by their employers and unions alike and forced to fend for themselves as the coronavirus pandemic swept across the UK. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a number of drivers revealed to City A.M. the personal risks to which they have been exposed while keeping essential [...]
Global business travel to grow a fifth this year February 2, 2021 Global business travel spending will begin to recover this year but will not return to pre-pandemic levels until the middle of the decade. According to the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), spending will increase 21 per cent this year to $842bn (£615bn). The increase comes after spending fell more than half in 2020 due to the pandemic. The [...]
BP posts $5.7bn annual loss after coronavirus decimates oil market February 2, 2021 Oil supermajor BP swung to a $5.7bn ($4.2bn) reported loss in 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic sent oil demand plummeting. The combination of lower oil and gas prices, significant exploration write-offs and refining margins and depressed demand sent the firm deep into the red after 2019’s $10bn profit. The firm also undershot analyst expectations for [...]
