FTSE 100 close: Barclays, HSBC and Lloyds retrace losses as Ocado soars July 24, 2023 London’s FTSE 100 retraced early losses today to close in the black, driven higher by online supermarket Ocado surging after it settled a dispute over its warehouse technology. The capital’s premier index climbed 0.19 per cent to 7,678.60 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the [...]
Julius Baer records £6.4bn in new money after Credit Suisse collapse July 24, 2023 Swiss private bank Julius Baer has reaped the rewards of Credit Suisse’s collapse as it reported net inflows in the first half of the year. In the six months to June, the bank attracted CHF7.1bn (£6.4) in new money from wealthy clients, helping to bring assets under management to CHF441bn. This compared to net outflows of [...]
Federal Reserve and European Central Bank may back final rate rises this week, experts bet July 24, 2023 US Federal Reserve and European Central Bank officials could launch their final interest rate rises this week as inflation ebbs in their respective economic blocs, experts are betting. Members of the federal open market committee (FOMC) are on Wednesday tipped to raise borrowing costs 25 basis points to a range of 5.25 per cent and [...]
Banks in line for another round of bumper profit amid savings rate row July 23, 2023 The UK’s largest banks are set to report another round of bumper profits this week amid the furore over savings rates and growing concern about the health of the UK economy. Lloyds, Natwest and Barclays are expected to report another strong set of figures for the second quarter thanks to the impact of rising interest [...]
The Alzheimer’s ‘wonder drug’ isn’t the miracle we want it to be July 21, 2023 This week, a new miracle drug for Alzheimer's has raised the hopes for millions of families, but it might have done so with false promise, writes Michael Young.
Banks to avoid surge in delinquency even as average interest rate on credit card hits highest level this millennium July 19, 2023 The average rate of interest on UK credit cards hit their highest level in nearly 30 years last month, but experts suggested there would not be a surge in delinquencies. According to Bank of England data, the average rate of interest on a credit card surpassed 23 per cent in June for the first time [...]
Insurance chiefs back new Solvency II investment forum to help deliver £100bn in investment July 19, 2023 The heads of the UK’s major insurance firms have written in support of a new Investment Delivery Forum to help drive investment following the reforms to Solvency II. Established by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) earlier in July, the forum is designed to tackle the investment gap preventing investment from the insurance and long-term [...]
Banks must tell savers if better deals are available under Consumer Duty, FCA says July 18, 2023 The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has warned banks that they must inform savers if better deals are available once the new Consumer Duty comes into force at the end of the month. In a letter to the Treasury Select Committee, the FCA said it is “more critical than ever that borrowers and savers are offered [...]
Bosses from Natwest, Shell and Sainsbury’s join PM’s new taskforce to boost growth July 18, 2023 Top bosses from firms including Barclays, Aviva and Shell have joined the Prime Minister’s new business council aimed at supercharging the UK’s growth. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will chair the first business council meeting at No10 today, followed by a glitzy reception for scores of industry bigwigs to celebrate UK enterprise. CEOs including Alison Rose [...]
FTSE 100 close: Slowing China economy sends London index into red as Barclays and NatWest jump July 17, 2023 London’s FTSE 100 kicked off a fresh week today in downbeat fashion, dragged lower by signs that China’s economic recovery from the pandemic is whittling away. The capital’s premier index shed 0.38 per cent to close at 7,406.43 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the [...]