RSA Insurance and Aviva share prices hit as experts warn Storm Eva could knock 0.25 percentage points off UK growth December 29, 2015 As people in Yorkshire and Lancashire spent a second day recovering from once-in-a-generation flooding, experts have warned the damaged wreaked by Storm Eva could hit the UK's GDP growth. Howard Archer, chief UK and European economist at IHS, suggested the impact could be felt both this year and next. "Looking at the extent of the [...]
The UK’s spending power fell to its lowest in 12 months in November December 29, 2015 It seems the UK's shoppers are feeling less flush, after a new survey found they had £193 of spare cash last month – that's £14 a week, compared with November last year. But while Asda's Income Tracker suggested weekly income has now risen by double digits for 13 months in a row, it was lower than the £17 [...]
Little festive cheer for investors as FTSE 100 finishes flat December 24, 2015 It seems Santa didn't have much in his sack for equities investors this year, after the FTSE finished the day's session flat at 6,254.64 points, just 0.22 per cent higher. It was a disappointing outcome, after the bluechip index showed signs of a late Santa rally yesterday, closing 2.6 per cent higher as mining stocks rebounded. But trading during this morning's [...]
The Christmas Dinner Index: Your Christmas dinner will cost one per cent less this year as mince pie prices fall December 24, 2015 Some festive news from RBS analyst Richard Ramsey, who has pointed out that the economics elves at Mintec have been hard at work figuring out how much the good people of Britain will shell out for their supper on Christmas day – and it turns out the price has fallen. The Christmas Dinner Index, which takes into account the costs of all [...]
Mortgage approvals dip in November – but are still 25 per cent higher than the same period last year December 24, 2015 It may be hours before the great Christmas getaway begins, but the British Bankers' Association (BBA) hasn't let that get in the way of bringing you Serious News. This morning the organisation said the number of loans dished out to homebuyers has dipped, falling to 44,960 in November, down from 45,463 in October. No festive frivolities there… The [...]
Wandisco share price leaps after big data contract wins December 24, 2015 Shares in big data company Wandisco jumped this morning, after it unveiled two "significant" new contracts with (unnamed) companies in the financial services and telecoms sectors. Shares were nine per cent higher at 85p in early trading. In a statement yesterday the company – one of the few listed companies able to boast headquarters in both California and [...]
People really do listen to Chris Rea when they’re driving home for Christmas – but Maria Carey is still festive top of the pops December 24, 2015 It turns out the nation's drivers are a pretty literal bunch when it comes to choosing their playlist for the car journey home. A survey by government body Highways England has found 20 per cent of people listen to Chris Rea's Driving Home for Christmas on the way home – more than The Pogues' Fairytale of New York, [...]
City A.M. advent calendar: Our review of 2015 in business news December 23, 2015 December is upon us, which can mean only one thing: time to make a cup of hot cocoa, recline beside a crackling fire, and review the year’s news. From the year in crowdfunding investments to the most diva-ish meltdowns of the year, we’ll have a new treat for you every day until Christmas. [custom id=”112″]
Robot reindeer: Robotics company Boston Dynamics gives us a glimpse of the dystopian future of Christmas December 23, 2015 Thought your job was in danger of being stolen by robots? Spare a thought for Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen et al, who are clearly about to be pushed aside, after US robotics company Boston Dynamics gave us an insight into the dystopian future of Christmas. In what was probably supposed to be a fun festive [...]
