UK economy shakes off recession fears with growth in July September 9, 2019 The UK economy grew by more than expected in July, official figures have shown, allaying fears that Britain could be heading for a recession. Read more: Into the red: UK economy shrinks for first time in seven years British GDP expanded by 0.3 per cent month on month in July, after stagnating in June. Economists [...]
London’s private sector growth outperforms rest of country in August September 9, 2019 Growth in London’s private sector slowed in August, but the capital outperformed the UK as a whole as new business, activity and employment all expanded. Read more: UK economy close to recession after stagnant services sector data Despite the expansion, companies’ overall confidence fell to a five-month low in August as Brexit uncertainty weighed on [...]
Retail footfall drops again in August as economy slows September 9, 2019 The number of Britons venturing out to visit shops fell again in August, bringing yet more problems for a retail sector that has suffered a number of casualties this year. Read more: Hot weather fails to heat up retail sales in August Footfall fell by 1.3 per cent in August year on year, compared to [...]
Accuracy of Companies House data questioned by reporting firm September 8, 2019 An organisation that produces reports into the health and credit-worthiness of small firms has cautioned that there is no guarantee that the Companies House data it uses is accurate. Read more: Goals up for sale in wake of £12m fraud accusations Company Watch, a City-based provider of company assessments, has added a disclaimer to its [...]
Sainsbury’s planning major changes to struggling bank arm September 8, 2019 Sainsbury’s is plotting a radical overhaul of its loss-making banking arm as it reconsiders its business model in the wake of its failed merger with Asda. Read more: Sainsbury’s partners with Deliveroo on pizza takeaway service The household name is weighing up its options ahead of a meeting with investors in two weeks’ time. The [...]
Swiss stock exchange boss urges London to protect itself in EU negotiations September 8, 2019 The boss of Switzerland’s biggest stock exchange has warned Britain to be ready to protect its financial services industry against measures from the European Union. Read more: Swiss minister says country unlikely to sign EU deal soon Jos Dijsselhof’s Zurich-based Six exchange is at the centre of the EU’s row with Switzerland over trading that [...]
UK firms appoint staff at slowest rate in three years September 6, 2019 Companies hired permanent workers at the slowest rate in over three years in August, according to a new survey, in a sign that the jobs boom in Britain is slowing. Read more: BoE’s Mark Carney says UK now better-prepared for no-deal Brexit August also saw the weakest increase in total job vacancies in over six [...]
Sold! Sotheby’s shareholders approve $3.7bn sale of historic auction house September 5, 2019 Sotheby’s shareholders have approved the $3.7bn (£3bn) sale of the auction house to French-Israeli billionaire art collector Patrick Drahi. Read more: Going, going, gone: Sotheby’s sold for $3.7bn to telecoms mogul The sale today garnered the approval of over 90 per cent of shareholders in Sotheby’s, the New York-headquartered auctioneer which was founded in London [...]
Wework considers cutting its listing valuation by half September 5, 2019 Wework’s parent company is considering dramatically slashing the valuation it will seek when it sells shares on the public stock market for the first time. Read more: Wework adds woman to board after criticism ahead of listing New York-based the We Company is deliberating seeking a valuation of just over $20bn (£16.2bn), people with knowledge [...]
Global stock markets climb after US and China agree to talks September 5, 2019 Stock markets have risen around the world today after the US and China agreed to resume talks over their trade war. Read more: Donald Trump says China talks going well as he turns fire on EU China’s commerce ministry today said high-level negotiations will begin in October, with preparatory meetings scheduled for the middle of [...]