FTSE 100 close: London pares gains as BP slump offsets inflation hope October 31, 2023 London's FTSE markets climbed on Tuesday morning as investors received another boost from falling food inflation but oil giant BP slumped after a poor set of results.
London business confidence improves heading into Christmas October 31, 2023 London firms are growing increasingly confident heading into the Christmas period as inflation falls and firms have more certainty over the future of rate hikes.
Banks slammed for ‘doing as little as they can get away with’ to help savers October 30, 2023 The UK's biggest banks are "trying to do as little as they can get away with" to help savers as interest rates look set to stay high, a top Tory MP has said.
Gold consolidates price rally as Middle East uncertainty weighs on investors October 30, 2023 Safe haven demand for gold remains high amid fears of further geopolitical uncertainty
Oil prices could surge above $150 per barrel if Hamas-Israel conflict escalates October 30, 2023 Oil prices have dipped in this morning's trading, with investors waiting to see whether the US Federal Reserve hikes rates again.
Fall in bank lending adds to fears that UK recession already underway October 30, 2023 The higher cost of borrowing is weighing heavily on consumer demand for new loans in a sign that the Bank of England's interest rate hikes are slowing economic activity.
Banks face tougher competition as profits boost from higher rates fades October 30, 2023 The UK’s major listed banks have warned that the tailwind from high interest rates that has driven bumper profits over the past year is coming to an end as lenders compete to offer better deals to customers. Barclays, Lloyds, NatWest, Standard Chartered and Santander reported third-quarter earnings last week, while HSBC released its results today. [...]
FTSE 100 close: London rises on HSBC profits in a busy week for central banks and energy giants October 30, 2023 On the FTSE 100 HSBC revealed that profits had more than doubled on last year thanks to the impact of higher interest rates
Markets: Asian exchanges open slow as Israel-Gaza conflict weighs on sentiment October 30, 2023 Asian share markets were mixed on Monday as Israel’s push into Gaza stirred fears of a wider conflict ahead of central bank meetings in the United States, Britain and Japan, the latter of which might see a policy tightening. The earnings season also continues with Apple, Airbnb, McDonald’s, Moderna and Eli Lilly & Co among the [...]
As banks refuse to pass on interest rates, they lose customers’ faith October 30, 2023 As banks refuse to pass on interest rates, their customers are deserting them, writes Victor Trokoudes.