UK manufacturing activity plunges to seven-year low as economic slowdown bites September 2, 2019 UK manufacturing output crashed to a seven-year low in August as Brexit doubts intensify and a wider economic slowdown hurts firms, according to a closely followed measure of sector activity. Manufacturing output plunged to its worst level since 2012 last month, according to IHS Markit’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI). Read more: Toyota to halt production [...]
Dechra Pharmaceuticals hikes dividend but braces itself for no-deal Brexit September 2, 2019 Veterinary drugs maker Dechra Pharmaceuticals has steeled itself for a possible no-deal Brexit by shifting ownership of UK marketing authorisations to a new arm in the Netherlands. Dechra has also moved all its analytical testing methods for products created at its Skipton site in the UK to a new laboratory in Zagreb, Croatia as well [...]
Eurotunnel reveals new customs system as it says it’s ‘ready for Brexit’ September 2, 2019 Eurotunnel is ready for Brexit, it told investors today, as it aimed to quell fears that there could be disruption to the key trade route. Around 5,000 trucks use the Channel Tunnel every day and the Paris-listed company has introduced a two-lane system for trucks post-Brexit. Read more: Grayling admits cabinet overruled him on Eurotunnel [...]
Blue on blue: John Major to join anti-Brexiter Gina Miller’s prorogue battle against Boris Johnson August 30, 2019 Former Prime Minister John Major has pledged to join Remainer Gina Miller’s judicial review of Boris Johnson’s attempt to prorogue parliament in run up to Brexit. Major, a fierce critic of Brexit, will ask the High Court to join Miller’s existing review of Johnson’s decision to prorogue parliament for five weeks until 14 October. Court [...]
UK house prices remain stagnant as no-deal Brexit looms August 30, 2019 UK house prices grew at less than one per cent for the ninth month in a row in August, Nationwide figures revealed today, prompting calls for Boris Johnson to slash stamp duty. The value of homes did not grow between July and August, Nationwide’s House Price Index found. Read more: London commuter belt house prices [...]
Shoe Zone share price collapses as CEO quits amid sales target miss August 30, 2019 Investors trod all over Shoe Zone today after warned them it would miss full year sales targets and its chief executive officer, Nick Davis, quit with immediate effect. Aim-listed Shoe Zone’s share price plunged 37.8 per cent in early trading to leave shares languishing at 119.5p, down from yesterday’s close at 192p. Read more: Falling [...]
Mr Kipling owner Premier Foods appoints new CEO and chairman August 30, 2019 Premier Foods has appointed a Reckitt Benckiser veteran as its new chairman and promoted its UK managing director to the role of CEO. The Mr Kipling maker welcomes ex-Reckitt chief financial officer Colin Day as chairman, while UK MD Alex Whitehouse takes the helm at the British giant. Read more: Premier Foods eyes up ex-Reckitt [...]
Gym Group posts blistering rise in profits as memberships surge August 29, 2019 Gym Group posted a huge rise in profitability today as it revealed earnings came close to doubling in the first half of 2019. Read more: Four years on: The fitness techniques that turned our Life & Style editor into a gym bro The figures Pre-tax profits soared 80.5 per cent to £5.6m in the six [...]
Micro Focus share price nosedives as it issues stark revenue warning August 29, 2019 Micro Focus’ share price collapsed in early trading today as it issued a dramatic revenue warning to investors, saying sales could fall by double the previous forecast. The British IT company blamed macro factors such as Brexit uncertainty and economic concerns for its woes as customers held off from buying new technology kit. Read more: [...]
Boris Johnson’s parliament prorogation generates huge backlash August 29, 2019 A petition against proroguing parliament has gathered more than 1m signatures as Prime Minister Boris Johnson faces an angry revolt over his move. Thousands of protesters gathered outside parliament and Downing Street yesterday evening to voice their anger against the prorogation. Read more: Boris’ Brexit blindside: What the hell just happened? Demonstrators called the decision [...]