Metro Bank swings to first annual profit since 2018 while slashing 1,000 jobs March 13, 2024 Metro Bank has swung to its first annual profit since 2018 after the branch-focused lender was rescued from potential collapse by a major refinancing package and embarked on a restructuring set to involve 1,000 job cuts.
UK economy takes first steps out of recession as growth returns in January March 13, 2024 The figures will raise hopes that the UK is already moving out of the shallow recession it fell into in the second half of last year.
A trade deal with Texas: The UK can learn from the Lone Star State March 13, 2024 There are three ways to look at the trade “co-operation” agreement which will be signed today between the UK and the great state of Texas. The first is as a largely pointless press release, a damning indictment of pre-Brexit promises of an all-singing, all-dancing trade deal with the entire United States, not just a particularly [...]
UK economy nearly a third smaller thanks to ‘catastrophically bad’ productivity slowdown March 12, 2024 Since the financial crisis, productivity growth in the UK has slowed significantly from its pre-2008 trend and has fallen behind international peers.
Mortgage arrears surge 50 per cent to seven-year high as Brits squeezed by higher rates March 12, 2024 The proportion of UK mortgages in arrears rose to its highest level since 2016 at the end of 2023, according to data from the Bank of England, as borrowers are squeezed by high interest rates and household costs.
Bank of England’s fears of a tight labour market will remain despite growing slack March 12, 2024 Although almost every measure suggested a softer labour market than expected, the downside surprises were small and show a labour market that is still tight in historical terms.
Wage growth slows faster than expected and unemployment picks up slightly March 12, 2024 Developments in the labour market are crucial for assessing whether inflation is under control, enabling the Bank to ease the cost of borrowing.
Silicon Valley Bank one year on: Is another banking crisis around the corner? March 12, 2024 One year on from the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank - could another crisis be around the corner?
FTSE 100 today: London markets set for cautious open as U.S. inflation data looms large March 12, 2024 Asian stocks surged, and Oracle's shares soared over 14%. Bitcoin also broke records, surpassing $72,000. Market focus now shifts to forthcoming UK employment data and US inflation figures for key insights into economic trends.
Pound Sterling makes strong start to 2024 as UK recovery from recession to continue March 11, 2024 Paul Robson, head of G10 FX strategy at Natwest, also drew attention to the UK's increasingly supportive political background.