FTSE 100 close: London markets rise despite Chinese deflation August 9, 2023 London’s markets closed higher on Wednesday as a toning down of Italy’s windfall tax on banks calmed investors despite more negative news from China. The FTSE 100 closed 0.80 per cent higher at 7,587.30 while the midcap FTSE 250, which is more aligned with the health of the domestic economy, ended 0.51 per cent higher [...]
Saudi Aramco profit plummets 38 per cent… to $30.1bn August 7, 2023 Saudi Arabian state oil giant Aramco reported a near 38% drop in second-quarter net profit on Monday amid weaker oil prices and thinner refining and chemicals margins, as it boosted its dividend with a new performance-linked payout. Aramco’s net profit fell to 112.81 billion riyals ($30.07 billion) for the quarter to June 30 from 181.64 [...]
Oil prices boosted by six weeks of gains as supplies tighten worldwide August 6, 2023 Oil markets will open trading on Monday having recorded six weeks of gains across both major benchmarks, as tightening supplies bolster prices.
What next for oil prices as US stockpiles slip and hope of China rebound rises August 2, 2023 Oil markets are benefitting from robust demand, with trading on both major benchmarks at a near four month-high.
AstraZeneca: Revenue boost despite welcome end of Covid-19 jab sales July 28, 2023 Britain’s biggest FTSE firm AstraZeneca reported an uptick in sales as oncology treatments helped pick up the slack from falling sales of Covid-19 medicines. The pharmaceutical company made over $22.2bn (£17.3bn) – a four per cent increase – during the first half of 2023, causing shares to spring over three per cent on market open [...]
Standard Chartered announces $1bn buyback scheme after profits soar on rising rates July 28, 2023 Standard Chartered announced a further $1bn (£780m) share buyback after recording better than expected results in the second quarter on the back of rising interest rates. Pretax profit at the bank climbed 18 per cent to $1.5bn, higher than the $1.4bn predicted by analysts. This came thanks to a 29 per cent increase in net [...]
Income falls for Total Energies as refining profits slump July 27, 2023 French oil company TotalEnergies posted a drop in second-quarter net income on Thursday, reflecting lower natural gas prices,
Volkswagen ‘stepping up the pace’ of China transformation as profits dip July 27, 2023 Volkswagen saw revenue growth of 18 per cent to €156.3bn (£134.3bn) in its half-year results, as chip shortage supply chain issues eased and the group ramped up its EV production. However, this was not enough to offset a year-on-year dip in operating profits, which came in at €11.3bn (£9.69bn) down from €13.2bn (£11.32bn). The German [...]
Nissan and Renault reach alliance deal as China struggles mount July 26, 2023 Nissan will invest up to $663m (£513m) in Renault’s new electric vehicle unit, the automakers said on Wednesday, as they finalised terms of their restructured partnership after months of negotiation clouded by tension. Sealing the deal is likely to be seen as a positive. Talks between the two had dragged on months longer than expected, due [...]
A chief exec pay boost won’t make up for ministers failing to stick up for scale-up firms July 26, 2023 Adding an extra zero onto chief executives’ salaries won’t restore the London Stock Exchange to its former glory.