Shell to post lower 2024 profit after year of faltering oil demand January 26, 2025 Shell is expected to post lower annual profit than the previous year next week, after the energy giant was hit by weak oil prices and faltering demand for the fossil fuel. The London-listed company is scheduled to announce its financial results for the calendar year 2024 on Thursday. Analysts have forecast that it will post [...]
City broker slashes price target for Primark-owner Associated British Foods January 24, 2025 Analysts at Panmure Liberum downgraded their rating for Primark-owner Associated British Foods from ‘Buy’ to ‘Hold’ after Primark underperformed over the festive quarter. Panmure downgraded its target price for ABF to 1900p from 2800p. Its share price currently sits at 1,892.50p after falling five per cent in the last five days. Associated British Foods reduced [...]
Smartphone dominance: Samsung races Apple with new AI launch January 23, 2025 Samsung launched its new artificial intelligence (AI) powered series, marking the latest salvo in its ongoing battle with Apple for dominance in the global market. While Apple continues to hold its commanding lead in the US, with 53 per cent market share compared to Samsung’s 23 per cent; the latter is betting on its AI [...]
UK entrepreneurs have mixed views on Trump agenda January 22, 2025 Two thirds of British entrepreneurs see Donald Trump’s second term in office as “good for business” as it could provide opportunities for expansion and growth, but fears linger of the impact of US trade policy. Helm, a group of 400 UK entrepreneurs with a combined revenue of £8bn, found that while 66 per cent of [...]
‘Horrified’: All Saints founder slams Shein for fast-fashion practices January 18, 2025 The founder of British clothing brand All Saints has said he would be “horrified” if fast-fashion firm Shein is allowed to list in London, describing the Chinese-founded company as the “worst” offender in the sector. “Fast fashion really has changed the whole industry, because it’s now like a race to the bottom… The planet cannot [...]
Trump to ‘save’ Tiktok as RedNote rises ahead of Sunday’s ban January 16, 2025 President Donald Trump has reportedly considered rescuing the Chinese-owned social media app Tiktok from its looming ban. Once in office, Trump may suspend the enforcement of the ban-or-sale law through executive order, reported the Washington Post. He has been exploring unconventional ways in which he could save the app, which now hosts over 170m users [...]
Polestar 2 review: Popular premium EV now tops 400 miles January 13, 2025 First launched in 2022, the Polestar 2 was the first fully electric model from the Chinese-owned Swedish brand. However, things move fast in the EV market, so Polestar has given its stylish crossover a substantial overhaul. The Polestar 2 faces a lot more competition than when it initially went on sale. The market for electric [...]
Chinese investment of £600m in UK ‘a start’, says Cabinet minister January 12, 2025 China committing to putting £600m in the UK is “a start” and “will lead to future investment”, a Cabinet minister has said. Science Secretary Peter Kyle said the Chancellor has returned with “solid commitments for investment” as the Government commits to “rebuilding the relationship with China”. Rachel Reeves has been criticised by the Conservatives and [...]
Reeves vows ‘action’ to meet fiscal rules amid rise in borrowing costs January 11, 2025 Rachel Reeves has said she will “take action” to meet her fiscal rules following turbulence on the gilt markets. Increases in the Government’s borrowing costs have sparked concern that the Chancellor will be unable to meet her debt and spending targets, requiring either tax rises or deeper spending cuts when she delivers a fiscal statement [...]
Rachel Reeves says fiscal rules ‘non-negotiable’ during bid to boost ties with China January 11, 2025 Rachel Reeves vowed to stand by her “non-negotiable” fiscal rules, as her mission to China was overshadowed by further turbulence in the gilt markets. Visiting bicycle-maker Brompton’s flagship Beijing store on Saturday, the Chancellor declined to give a running commentary on the financial markets in the UK, but said the rules she set for herself [...]