FTSE 100 dips as coronavirus infections come back into focus November 18, 2020 The FTSE 100 has fallen for a second day as investors return their focus to rising coronavirus cases and new restrictions after positive vaccine news boosted global markets. London’s blue-chip index was down 0.5 per cent shortly after the open, taking it to 6,336 points. The FTSE 250 of slightly smaller firms was 0.2 per [...]
UK inflation picks up despite lockdowns as clothing prices rise November 18, 2020 Prices picked up across the UK economy in October, the latest figures have shown, with clothing pushing inflation higher after disruption to the sector earlier in the year. Consumer price index inflation came in at 0.7 per cent on an annual basis last month, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. That was up from [...]
Spending watchdog criticises government over £18bn Covid contracts November 18, 2020 The UK’s public spending watchdog has slapped the government on the wrist for failures of transparency when awarding lucrative private contracts worth around £18bn to companies during the coronavirus crisis, highlighting errors and potential conflicts of interest. The National Audit Office’s (NAO) report comes amid claims that the government has awarded contracts to businesses with [...]
FTSE 100 and US stocks slip as investors focus on virus November 17, 2020 The FTSE 100 fell along with global stocks after jumping yesterday, as investors eased off on their rush into risk assets with months of uncertainty still ahead for the global economy. Drug firm Moderna’s announcement that its vaccine had shown to be almost 95 per cent effective in late-stage trials cheered markets yesterday, sending the [...]
Number of listed firms on London’s stock market shrunk faster than European rivals November 17, 2020 The tally of companies choosing to list on the London Stock Exchange contracted sharply over the last decade as companies increasingly choose to raise money through private equity deals, a trend also seen in the wider European market. The London Stock Exchange lost 378 companies on net between 2010 and 2018, a 21 per cent [...]
BoE governor Andrew Bailey: Vaccine ‘a big step forward’ for UK economy November 17, 2020 Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey has called the development of seemingly effective coronavirus vaccines “a big step forward” for the economy that could help lower uncertainty and get firms investing again. Speaking at lobby group The City UK’s conference, Bailey said both coronavirus and Brexit had “increased uncertainty” and “restrained investment”. He also said [...]
UK Brexit chief says trade deal could be struck ‘early next week’ November 17, 2020 The UK’s chief Brexit negotiator David Frost has reportedly told Prime Minister Boris Johnson to expect a trade deal with the EU “early next week”. The Sun reported that Frost said there was a “possible landing zone” that could be reached as early as next Tuesday. Britain and the EU are entering a key phase [...]
Indonesian wealth fund to offer multiple investments to raise $15bn November 17, 2020 Indonesia’s new sovereign wealth fund will try to raise $15bn (£11.3bn) through specific industry funds as it tries to boost the flow of money into the country, according to finance minister Sri Mulyani. Sri Mulyani told Reuters that investors “will have the flexibility to invest in many portfolios”. These sectoral funds would come under a [...]
Boris Johnson in hot water after calling Scottish devolution a ‘disaster’ November 17, 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson has riled Scottish independence campaigners and some of his own party after calling the devolution of powers to Holyrood “a disaster”. The comments came during a call with around 60 English Conservative MPs, during which Johnson promised to pump money into infrastructure projects in the north. His comments were seized upon [...]
Hungary and Poland veto EU budget and coronavirus recovery fund November 16, 2020 Hungary and Poland have effectively vetoed the European Union’s budget and coronavirus recovery package in response to plans to make access to funds conditional on adhering to the rule of law. The veto came as top EU officials and countries’ ambassadors today discussed the €1.1 trillion (£990bn) budget, which covers 2021-27, and the €750bn coronavirus [...]
