Retail stockpiling soars on Brexit uncertainty October 28, 2019 Retail stock levels in relation to expected sales soared to record levels this month as high street stores prepared for the crucial Christmas trading period and potential Brexit related disruption. The spike in stock adequacy, which reached the highest level since records began in 1983, came as retail sales declined for the six consecutive month. [...]
Children are dressing up as Boris Johnson for Halloween October 28, 2019 Two-thirds of Brits have named Boris Johnson as the “ghastliest figure of the 21st Century”, setting the scene for “hordes of mini Borises” this Halloween, according to the Beano. The survey, by children’s media company Beano Kids, also found that British children thought Boris Johnson was the second-scariest celebrity. Read more: EU scuppers Boris Johnson’s Halloween [...]
EU grants full Brexit extension until 31 January 2020 October 28, 2019 The EU has granted a three month extension to the Brexit process, paving the way for a general election this side of Christmas. This morning European Council president Donald Tusk tweeted that the EU27 member states would “accept the UK’s request” for Article 50 to be delayed until 31 January. That means Prime Minister Boris [...]
The six biggest bull runs since 1962 (and their corrections) October 28, 2019 The current bull market in US stocks started in March 2009 at the height of the global financial crisis and is the longest in recent history, beating the rally between July 1962 and May 1970 by over four years. At the time of writing, the bull market is still going. US stocks are up more [...]
HSBC weighs down FTSE 100 as election vote looms October 28, 2019 Britain’s FTSE 100 index has opened down this morning ahead of a crucial vote in the Commons on the government’s motion to hold a general election on 12 December. The blue-chip index dropped 0.39 per cent in early trading. Opposition parties have indicated they won’t support the government in the vote, which is scheduled for [...]
MPs to vote on Boris Johnson’s 12 December general election bid October 28, 2019 MPs will vote later today on Boris Johnson’s proposed general election date of 12 December. In order for the motion to pass, two-thirds of MPs (434) need to vote in favour of it under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act (FTPA). Read more: When will we have a UK general election? Jeremy Corbyn said that Labour would [...]
This will be much more than a Brexit election October 28, 2019 Labour is on the back foot. In recent weeks it has played an entirely defensive game — denying Boris Johnson his preferred EU exit date and further denying him a General Election on his terms. With each of these blocking moves, Labour backs closer into the corner, seemingly devoid of a strategy beyond frustrating a [...]
Rory Stewart: The mayoral candidate in need of a London story October 28, 2019 It might feel like a lifetime ago, but turn the clock back to the summer and for a brief moment it felt as if the Conservative party could be about to anoint Rory Stewart as Prime Minister. The dark horse candidate, who stood on a ticket of soft Brexit – code for being “anyone but [...]
Wealthy UK cities showing resilience to retail downturn October 28, 2019 A group of wealthy cities such as London and Cambridge are faring relatively well during the UK retail sector’s downturn while shops in poorer and more rural areas suffer, a new report has said. Read more: Retailers brace for tough Christmas as confidence slumps Shopping parks have also shown resilience as the bricks-and-mortar retail sector [...]
London’s Aim still well ahead of competitors despite rough year October 28, 2019 London’s Alternative Investment Market (Aim) remains by far the biggest growth stock market in Europe despite falling numbers of floats and questions over regulatory standards, new analysis has shown. Read more: Muddy Waters says Burford Capital ‘continues to evade key questions’ about its accounting In the year ending in September, £3.9bn of capital was raised [...]