Local elections analysis: Do results suggest fear of complacency was misplaced? May 5, 2023 Poll leads can be a tricky thing for opposition parties, as Labour has shown in recent weeks. Lean in too far and risk appearing complacent. But downplay it too much, and you could fail to capitalise on a popularity boost. What everyone – from activists to frontbenchers – really want is cold, hard evidence of [...]
Splashing the cash on cardboard cut outs of King Charles, mugs and quiche: The Coronation top sellers May 5, 2023 Celebrations for King Charles III’s Coronation appear to have already started with Brits stocking up on nostalgic and whimsical goods to prepare them for the extra Bank holiday weekend. Discount supermarket Lidl said sales of quiche and champagne have increased 33 per cent and 50 per cent respectively, as shoppers look to pay homage to [...]
EP: 199 Newmarket & Hong Kong May 5, 2023 Saturday sees the first classic of the new flat season run at Newmarket when the 2,000 Guineas takes place with the unique World Pool markets in operation. Today we hear from master Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien who talks us through his runners in this important early season classic, plus we chat to Sam Hoskins from [...]
Coronation and your cash: How much have prices – and life in the UK – changed since 1953? May 5, 2023 When Queen Elizabeth II was crowned 70 years ago in 1953, the price of a pint was less than 10p, the average house price was around £1,800, and the average salary was £10 a week. But that’s not all that has changed, this year’s Coronation of King Charles III takes place in a nation where life [...]
FCA continues crypto ATM crackdown and warns of further action again ‘illegal’ sites May 5, 2023 The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said it had inspected sites in Exeter, Nottingham and Sheffield suspected of hosting illegally operated crypto ATMs, as part of a continued crackdown on the illegal sector. The city watchdog said the inspections were part of a joint operation with the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit, Yorkshire and Humber [...]
Banking shares: Regulators ‘increasingly attentive’ to role of short-sellers in possible 2008 repeat May 5, 2023 U.S. federal and state officials are assessing whether “market manipulation” caused the recent volatility in banking shares, a source familiar with the matter said on Thursday, as the White House vowed to monitor “short-selling pressures on healthy banks.” Shares of regional banks resumed their slide this week after the collapse of First Republic Bank, the third [...]
FTSE 100: IAG, BP and Shell guide index to cheery morning May 5, 2023 The FTSE 100 put on gains in early trading today, up more than 0.6 per cent an hour into Friday morning. Big gainers were BA-owner IAG, up more than 4 per cent after posting positive first quarter results this morning. And oil majors BP and Shell were also both happily in the green, building off [...]
Local elections: Tories suffer big losses including commuter belt councils Hertsmere, Brentwood, Windsor and Maidenhead May 5, 2023 The Conservatives have been hit by major losses in the local elections – losing over a third of their council seats so far. Losses include key commuter belt councils Hertsmere, Brentwood and Windsor and Maidenhead – which includes former prime minister Theresa May’s constituency. It was prime minister Rishi Sunak’s first significant electoral test since [...]
Holiday Inn chief steps down as group sees bookings hike despite ‘economic tailwinds’ May 5, 2023 The chief of Holiday Inn owner International Continental Hotels (IHG) is to step down from the helm after nearly six years. Keith Barr, group chief executive officer of the global hotel chain will be succeeded by Elie Maalouf, who currently heads up its American operations. Barr has worked within the brand for almost 14 years, [...]
Apple posts rare revenue drop but $90bn share buyback goes ahead May 5, 2023 Apple once again posted an, until now, rare revenue decline in its latest fiscal quarter, but said its overall business improved from the December quarter and sales of its iPhones were solid. The results were better than Wall Street’s muted expectations and Apple’s stock inched higher in after-hours trading. The latest numbers come after the company in February [...]
