Natwest shares rise after strong results and deal for part of Metro Bank’s mortgage book July 26, 2024 Natwest became the latest bank to report a fading boost from higher interest rates as it announced the acquisition of part of Metro Bank's mortgage book.
Lloyds Bank profit slides as interest rate boom slows July 25, 2024 Lloyds Banking Group recorded a slide in profit in the first half of the year after a surge in costs and a slowdown in the amount of cash it was making on the back of interest rates. The group – which owns Lloyds Bank, Halifax, Bank of Scotland and Scottish Widows – reported a pretax [...]
Yorkshire Building Society sees profit fall as rate tailwind eases July 25, 2024 Profit fell at Yorkshire Building Society as margins in the mortgage market were compressed by the plateau in interest rates. In the first six months of the year, the building society’s pretax profit fell to £158.1m from £180.6m in the same period last year. The fall in profit was largely due to lower net interest [...]
De La Rue: Banknote maker hopeful takeover will end in ‘coming months’ amid sliding revenue July 25, 2024 Banknote printer De La Rue has said it believes takeover talks will reach a "successful conclusion in the coming months", as it reported a dent in full year revenue.
The UK economy has defied gloomy expectations. Can this continue? July 25, 2024 The UK economy has surprised pundits again and again this year, growing at a much faster rate than almost anyone had expected.
Six graphs the Bank of England will study before August interest rate decision July 24, 2024 For the first time since last September, there is genuine uncertainty about the Bank of England’s next move on interest rates. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will meet next Thursday, with markets putting the odds of a cut at about 40 per cent. There’s enough evidence of disinflation to warrant a cut. Similarly, more hawkish [...]
Fiscal prudence? The iron chancellor doth protest too much July 24, 2024 Rachel Reeves’ decision to expand the powers of the OBR suggests apprehension, not confidence, writes Tim Focas. Rachel Reeves has promised to be an “iron chancellor” embodying fiscal constraint and discipline. Yet, her first legislative move to enhance the powers of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) raises questions about her own confidence in living [...]
Bullish analysts think sterling’s rally will continue despite chance of interest rate cuts July 23, 2024 Sterling has been one of the strongest performing currencies this year on the back of sticky inflation and stronger than expected growth.
Arbuthnot: Profit dips after rate hikes catch up with historic bank July 23, 2024 Arbuthnot Banking Group saw profit dip in the first half of the year, as existing fixed rate deposits have continue to reprice onto higher terms as they are renewed.
Make no mistake, tax rises are on the way July 23, 2024 Evidence is piling up that Chancellor Rachel Reeves will almost certainly be forced to raise taxes this autumn, Chris Dorrell writes