FCA has the same ‘red flags’ as the Post Office, MPs say in fresh attack February 3, 2025 A parliamentary group on fairer finance has reignited its row with the Financial conduct Authority (FCA) today, comparing the watchdog to the Post Office and accusing bosses of engaging with criticism in a “disappointing, defensive and dismissive” way. In a new report, the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Investment Fraud and Fairer Financial Service, which counts [...]
Precious metals funds boom as investors seek safe haven assets February 3, 2025 Indian investment funds tanked during January, as gold and Latin America-focused UK funds led the way in the first month of 2025. 47 of the 49 Investment Association sectors delivered a positive return last month, with only India funds (-5.2 per cent) and UK smaller companies funds (-0.9 per cent) losing out, according to data [...]
Eurozone inflation unexpectedly rises as Trump trade war fears mount February 3, 2025 The headline rate of inflation picked up to 2.5 per cent in January, according to preliminary estimates from Eurostat.
Gold rush: Royal Mint says investors flocking to buy bullion before new tax year February 3, 2025 Gold bullion sales are soaring as investors seek to protect themselves against political and economic turmoil – and from capital gains tax too. The Royal Mint says its revenue from gold bullion sales rose nine per cent over 2024 to reach a new record high. These sales rose 153 per cent in the final quarter [...]
UK economy: Inflation worries build as manufacturing cost pressures surge February 3, 2025 S&P's purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the manufacturing index showed that input prices increased at "accelerated rates" last month.
HSBC: FTSE 100 lender’s stock drops after downgrade by Deutsche Bank February 3, 2025 HSBC’s stock price has dropped more than two per cent this morning after being downgraded by Deutsche Bank analysts from a Buy to a Hold. The FTSE 100 bank received a target share price of £9.10 from Deutsche Bank, compared to its current share price of £8.27. “After a substantial increase in share price, the [...]
3i Infrastructure hopes portfolio sales will boost share price February 3, 2025 3i Infrastructure has sounded an optimistic note about its future after selling part of its portfolio, despite the trust’s share price continuing to plateau. In a trading update today, the FTSE 250 trust noted that it had finally completed the sale of its stake in French independent green energy operator Valorem, with hopes that this [...]
UK risks being ‘incubator economy’ with tech firms moving abroad, Lords warn February 3, 2025 The UK is at risk of becoming an “incubator economy” with tech firms moving abroad, if action is not taken to support companies to scale up, a group of Lords has warned. Britain must do a better job supporting UK-based artificial intelligence (AI) and creative technology start-ups to grow into global competitors, the House of [...]
UK economy will ‘struggle’ to grow more than one per cent in 2025 February 3, 2025 The Big Four firm slashed its 2025 growth projections to 1.0 per cent, down from the 1.5 per cent forecast back in October.
Bank of England to cut interest rates as growth fears build February 3, 2025 Rate-setters are likely to signal a cautious approach for the remainder of the year given lingering price pressures in the economy.
