Markets: FTSE 100 slumps to near three-month low September 20, 2021 The FTSE 100 index dipped 0.86 per cent today, closing at 6,904, as financial stocks and mining companies were hammered. The capital’s premiere index fell to lows of 6,828, down 1.6 per cent compared to the previous close, as concerns about inflation spooked investors. Financial stocks led the declines with Prudential down 8.4 per cent [...]
Brexit: EU boss Sefcovic warns Northern Ireland protocol haggling will prompt ‘instability’ September 10, 2021 European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic today said the controversial Northern Ireland Protocol – a policy of trade checks for good moving between Great Britain and the EU via the island of Ireland – must be “properly implemented”. The Brussels representative also warned the UK that any renegotiation of the Northern Ireland Protocol would cause “instability, [...]
No more green lists and amber lists? Traffic light system set to go by October September 9, 2021 The traffic light system for travel during the Covid era – detested by the industry as complex and unecessary – looks set to be replaced, with an announcement due by the end of the month. The UK government is due to assess the necessity of the system, which delegates destinations as green list, amber list [...]
Emma Raducanu into US Open semi-finals as dream run continues September 8, 2021 The next British teen tennis star Emma Raducanu extended her dream run at the US Open by beating Belinda Bencic 6-3 6-4 to reach the semi-finals. The 18-year-old Kent native became the first qualifier in US Open history to reach the last four after beating the reigning Olympic champion. Raducanu, ranked 361 in the world [...]
Smiths Group shares jump after it gets ‘superior’ £1.75bn offer for medical unit September 8, 2021 FTSE-100 tech company Smiths Group was among the biggest gainers today after it agreed to sell its medical unit to ICU Medical for around £1.75bn. Smiths could also bank a $100m bonus from the deal, dependant on the ICU Medical’s future share price. It led Smiths to recommend shareholders back the new “superior” offer instead [...]
Shakespeare on advertising: Wetherspoons beer shortages hit public perceptions September 8, 2021 Cut-price pub chain JD Wetherspoon was in the news recently following reports that supplies of Heineken, Carling, and Coors have run out in some of its locations across the UK. While some have argued that Brexit has impacted supply chains, company founder Tim Martin has attributed the issues to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Whatever the [...]
David Davis blasts voter ID plan as ‘illiberal’ solution as bill passes first hurdle September 7, 2021 Former Brexit Secretary David Davis has hit out at UK Government plans to introduce voter ID laws at future general elections. Davis said the plans to demand potential voters produce photgraphic ID is an “illiberal” solution in search of a “non-existent problem”. The Elections Bill will make it a requirement for voters to show an [...]
Bank of England hawk Saunders suggests interest rates will rise in 2022 September 7, 2021 Your mortgage rate looks more likely to rise next year, according to one Bank of England rate-setter. The Bank of England may need to increase interest rates next year if the UK’s GDP recovery momentum holds and inflation becomes stickier, policymaker Michael Saunders said today. Saunders, who in August voted for an early stop to the BoE’s [...]
KPMG and ex-partner accused of misconduct in FRC’s investigation into Carillion audit September 1, 2021 KPMG, ex-partner Peter Meehan and current and former staff at the Big Four accountant are alleged to provided false and misleading information to a City watchdog investigating its audit of collapsed construction giant Carillion. The allegations are part of a Formal Complaint issued this morning by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) in connection with the [...]
City A.M. TV: A market snapshot August 31, 2021 Markets responded well to Fed Chair Powell’s key speech last Friday. The main US equity index rallied both on the speech and then continued its strength during yesterday’s US session (whilst the UK was closed for bank holiday). As well as new record highs for the S&P500 and NDX100, Powell’s dovishness also brought about a [...]