UK economy: Experts cut forecast as coronavirus cases surge October 29, 2020 Analysts have become significantly more pessimistic about the UK economy, saying the surge in coronavirus cases and new restrictions will weigh on the recovery as the year runs into 2021. Economists say chancellor Rishi Sunak’s more generous employment support scheme will help limit some damage in the jobs market. But they warn that new lockdowns [...]
FTSE 100 falls and US stocks mixed as coronavirus cases rise October 27, 2020 The FTSE 100 fell in afternoon trading after a choppy morning session, while US stocks were mixed amid rising coronavirus cases and some worrying economic data. London’s main stock index was last down 0.8 per cent at 5,745 points, having also fallen yesterday. Read more:HSBC to overhaul business model and accelerate plan to slash costs [...]
Wall Street leads global stocks slump as Covid-19 infections rise October 26, 2020 Wall Street suffered its worst daily decline in weeks today as global stock markets posted losses amid a rise in new Covid-19 infections. There was a sea of red across the major US indices as markets closed this evening, with the S&P 500 posting its sharpest daily fall in four weeks. The downbeat sentiment across [...]
Banks hike mortgage interest rates amid boom in applicants October 24, 2020 Banks are reportedly hiking mortgage interest rates in order to deter prospective buyers as they struggle to meet a spike in demand for home loans amid a buoyant housing market. Lenders are turning away mortgage business as the ability to process applications has been slowed by home-working during the coronavirus pandemic. The housing market has [...]
FTSE 100 jumps amid strong earnings but US stocks mixed October 23, 2020 The FTSE 100 jumped on the final day of a tough week for markets, as investors found some optimism in company earnings, but US stocks were more mixed. The UK’s main stock index was boosted by upbeat results from lender Barclays (BARC). New stimulus measures from chancellor Rishi Sunak yesterday also helped stocks. Read more: [...]
Jes Staley confirms intention to stay on as Barclays beats expectations October 23, 2020 Jes Staley has signalled his intention to remain at the helm of Barclays after the bank reported better-than-expected results in the third quarter. In a call with reporters Staley said he would like to lead the bank for two more years, after Barclays today reported a return to profit for its consumer division. Between July [...]
Snakes and Ladders: Who is moving jobs in the City this week? October 21, 2020 Snakes and Ladders provides a roundup of the most important hires and job moves across the City, every Wednesday afternoon. Email citymoves@cityam.com to be featured. City firms are continuing to adapt to the challenges and opportunities presented by the pandemic as they vie to be in prime position to recover from the economic fallout of [...]
Jes Staley set ‘to stay on at Barclays for two more years’ October 19, 2020 Jes Staley is reportedly set to stay on as chief executive of Barclays, despite the lender coming under pressure to replace the controversial American. The bank is not expected to announce any succession plans when it reports third quarter earnings on Friday despite activist investor Edward Bramson recently renewing his attack on Staley, The Telegraph [...]
UK can be a ‘free agent’ in financial markets after Brexit, says think tank October 19, 2020 The UK can be a significant “free agent” in the global banking and financial markets once Brexit is over, a new report claims. As negotiations continue in the next few weeks and Bois Johnson steps up his no-deal rhetoric, the UK’s banking and finance industry is in for a seismic change. A report by think [...]
G4S rebuffs Gardaworld’s takeover offer as it “significantly undervalues” company October 19, 2020 G4S (GFS) has dismissed Gardaworld’s hostile takeover bid, after the outsourcing giant claimed its 190p per share offer “significantly undervalues the company and its prospects”. In a filing to the London Stock Exchange, G4S said its board had unanimously rejected Canadian rival Gardaworld’s offer because it was “not in the best interests of shareholders or [...]