Coronavirus: Barratt Developments scraps dividend March 25, 2020 Housebuilder Barratt Developments has scrapped its £100m payout to shareholders over the business uncertainty caused by coronavirus. Barratt, which has closed all of its sites, said it expects the coronavirus outbreak to have a “significant impact” on construction output and reservations and has cancelled all previous financial guidance. The company said that due to the [...]
Facebook warns ad business weakened by coronavirus crisis March 24, 2020 Facebook has reported a “weakening” of its advertising business during the coronavirus crisis, despite a surge in people using its services. The social media giant said this evening that in countries taking “aggressive actions” to reduce the spread of the virus, its ads business has been “adversely affected”. However, in the countries hit hardest by [...]
US stocks jump on hopes of coronavirus stimulus package March 24, 2020 US stocks soared this evening on hopes that congress was close to agreeing a $2 trillion stimulus package to protect the economy from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Wall Street’s S&P 500 index closed 9.3 per cent higher today, while the Dow Jones industrial average soared 11.37 per cent – its biggest one day [...]
Coronavirus: UK grocery sales soar £470m due to panic buying March 24, 2020 Grocery sales at UK supermarkets soared by £467m as customers stockpiled amid escalating fears over the spread of coronavirus in the UK, according to the latest research. Food sales jumped 22 per cent year-on-year in the week ending 14 March driven by an increase in essential household items and long lasting foods. Supermarkets were forced [...]
US coronavirus: Trump aims for business as usual by Easter March 24, 2020 President Donald Trump said he wants to reopen the US within less than a month, despite the coronavirus pandemic that is spreading across the country. Millions of Americans are currently under state orders to stay at home, however Trump has indicated that he wants to get the economy up and running again as soon as [...]
UK coronavirus death toll: Biggest daily increase to 422 March 24, 2020 The UK coronavirus death toll has risen by the biggest daily amount to 422, according to the latest government figures. The death toll – which was correct as of 1pm this afternoon- represents an increase of 87 UK coronavirus deaths compared to yesterday. As of 9am this morning, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in [...]
Coronavirus: Moody’s downgrades Cineworld after site closures March 24, 2020 Moody’s has downgraded Cineworld after the cinema chain was forced to close all of its screens across the US and Europe in order to slow the spread of coronavirus. The two notch ratings downgrade was triggered by the temporary closures, which have been ordered by governments due to the coronavirus pandemic. Moody’s downgraded the cinema [...]
Sports Direct hikes prices after store closures amid coronavirus crisis March 24, 2020 Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct has reportedly hiked the price of some sports equipment by as much as 50 per cent amid the coronavirus crisis. The retailer has increased the price of exercise equipment such as skipping ropes and weights, according to documents seen by the Press Association. It comes on the same day Sports Direct [...]
Contactless spending limit increased in response to coronavirus March 24, 2020 The spending limit for contactless card payments will be increased next month in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Shoppers will be able to spend £45 using contactless payments, up from £30, from 1 April. The measure was already being considered by the industry but its introduction has been brought forward due to the coronavirus pandemic [...]
Deliveroo founder urges PM to back takeaway sector during coronavirus crisis March 23, 2020 The founder of the food delivery app Deliveroo has urged the government to relieve the pressure on supermarkets during the coronavirus crisis by funding a public information campaign explaining the safety of takeaway outlets. Will Shu has written a letter to the prime minister to say that the package of economic support announced by the [...]