UK economy: Services firms’ new orders fall for first time in over a year February 5, 2025 The survey showed that incoming work for services firms decreased in January, ending a 14-month period of continuous growth.
SSE reaffirms guidance as adverse weather drives renewables output February 5, 2025 Energy supplier SSE reaffirmed full-year guidance this morning as variable weather ramped up renewable energy output. The London-listed firm expects adjusted earnings per share of between 154p to 163p and also maintained its operating profit targets. Output from SSE renewables was up by just over a quarter year-on-year over the first nine months, reflecting the [...]
Grainger: Property giant benefits from higher rents and small landlord exits February 5, 2025 Property giant Grainger has reported double-digit growth in income driven by higher rents and the exit of private landlords from the rental market. Grainger, the UK’s largest listed provider of private rental homes, told markets this morning that total net rental income grew by 15 per cent in the four months to the end of [...]
FTSE 100 giant GSK eyes more than £40bn in sales by 2031 February 5, 2025 Pharmaceutical giant GSK has hiked its 2031 sales forecast to more than £40bn, up from £38bn, after reporting better than forecast fourth quarter earnings. The London-listed pharma giant reported core earnings per share of 23.2p for the quarter, a drop of around 20 per cent year-on-year. However, this was greater than the 19p that analysts [...]
Pandora: US drives double-digit growth in ‘outstanding year’ for Danish jeweller February 5, 2025 Danish jewellery brand Pandora has reported an “outstanding year” for the business despite continued caution in global markets. Organic growth at the jewellery brand was 13 per cent in the financial year 2024, above the already-upgraded guidance of 11 per cent to 12 per cent. This comprised seven per cent life-for-life sales growth and five [...]
Starmer’s EU-US high-wire act risks stumbling… February 5, 2025 From headaches over Europe, to managing Sino-philes vs sceptics, the job of a prime minister – particularly when it comes to foreign policy – can often resemble something of a high-wire act, usually minus a safety net. Get it wrong, and the consequences could be severe, but pull it off, and the rewards are plentiful. Enforcing [...]
CBI boss: ‘Not realistic or right’ to decouple from China February 5, 2025 Rain Newton-Smith, head of the UK’s leading business group, will urge the government to ignore the “siren call of protectionism” amid mounting tensions in the global economy. In a speech set to be delivered later today, the chief executive of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), will call on the government to forge deeper ties [...]
UK voters want ministers to prioritise growth over net zero, poll finds February 5, 2025 Voters in the UK say they want the government to prioritise economic growth over net zero, pollsters have found. Exclusive polling for City AM by Freshwater Strategy found seven in ten people said they would rather the government prioritise economic growth over achieving net zero by 2050. It comes after pollsters yesterday revealed a majority [...]
SIPP pensioners are the most confident in a comfortable retirement February 5, 2025 Workers with a self-invested personal pension (Sipp) are the most confident their savings will pay for their retirement, research shows. Around 20 per cent of the over-55s have a Sipp, according to behavioural finance firm Oxford Risk. This group is the most comfortable that their pension will keep them comfortable in retirement. But those approaching [...]
Sadiq Khan launches new nightlife squad to advise on replacing Amy Lamé February 4, 2025 Sadiq Khan has launched a new London nightlife taskforce which is expected to advise on whether the former Night Czar, Amy Lamé, should be replaced. The Mayor of London launched the new independent nightlife committee, which will be led by fabric nightclub founder Cameron Leslie, on Tuesday. It is aimed at supporting the capital’s nighttime [...]
