FTSE 100 close: London index bumps higher ahead of key inflation and wage numbers February 13, 2023 London’s FTSE 100 kicked off the week in busy fashion today ahead of a busy week of data that will provide more clues on the health of the UK economy. The capital’s premier index closed 0.83 per cent higher today at 7,947.60 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with [...]
FTSE 100 live: London index under pressure despite easing of UK recession woes February 10, 2023 The FTSE100 index was trading slightly lower, down 0.24 per cent, this morning despite the UK narrowingly avoiding recession. London’s premier index had fallen to 7,892.06 points – down from yesterday’s close – while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index was off 0.55 per cent. Standard Chartered’s shares fell nearly five per cent in early [...]
UK narrowly avoids recession as GDP remains unchanged but Jeremy Hunt warns country ‘not out the woods yet’ February 10, 2023 The UK very narrowly avoided a recession in the final months of last year but the economy contracted sharply over Christmas, official figures out today reveal. Gross domestic product (GDP) remained unchanged in the final three months of last year, meaning the country swerved the technical recession definition of two consecutive quarters of contraction, according [...]
Let’s be honest, we are suffering from a national crisis of bad vibes February 9, 2023 Strikes, NHS waiting lists, high energy prices and a constant stream of news about horrific crimes, natural disasters and economic gloom, Britain's Bad Vibes are keeping us down, writes Matthew Lesh
High Street retail race: Marks and Spencer predicted to overtake John Lewis by 2026 February 8, 2023 Marks & Spencer will overtake John Lewis in the rankings of the UK’s biggest retailers by 2026, according to a new sales forecast. Tesco will retain its position as the largest retailer, followed by Sainsbury’s, but Amazon is on track to move into the top three within the next few years, industry title Retail Week [...]
House prices are poised to slide in 2023 but straight into the hands of the lucky few February 7, 2023 There’s a pretty wild variety of house price predictions doing the rounds. Capital Economics have forecast they could fall 12 per cent, while experts at property search site Zoopla are a bit more optimistic. The consensus seems to be somewhere around a six per cent fall in 2023. One thing is certain: house prices are [...]
The world’s favourite airline? It’s certainly not British Airways anymore February 6, 2023 British Airways is getting its comms wrong. Banning pilots and hostesses from posting on social media while they work shows the airline prioritises money over its employees, writes Eliot Wilson
West needs to prepare for energy crunch next winter, analysts warn February 5, 2023 Experts have urged the West against complacency next winter, warning that the energy crisis could last for years to come.
Bank of England signals inflation has peaked but warns of 15-month long recession February 2, 2023 Inflation in the UK has peaked and is on course to fall rapidly over the coming year, easing the worst cost of living crisis in a generation, but a slow burning, mild recession is still a threat, the Bank of England said today. The rate of price increases is poised to more than halve from [...]
Christmas sales were a moment of reprieve as high streets play whac-a-mole February 2, 2023 Even the biggest retailers were severely dented by the pandemic, strikes, inflation and rising energy costs. It might be a game of whac-a-mole, but the high street is ready for another year, writes Richard Curry.