Mortgage costs slip for first time since May as Bank of England rate bets cool on inflation drop July 20, 2023 Mortgage rates have dropped for the first time in two months, sparked by banks passing on a reduction in interest rate bets after yesterday’s better than feared inflation figures. The average rate on two-year mortgages fell to 6.79 per cent yesterday from 6.81 per cent, according to financial data provider Moneyfacts. It is the first [...]
Premier Foods has no plans for price increases as cost inflation ‘now past its peak’ July 20, 2023 Mr. Kipling maker Premier Foods said that it now believes that the recent period of significant input cost inflation has “now passed its peak”, with the group no longer planning for further price increases during the year. It comes as inflation fell to its lowest level this year of 7.9 per cent, giving shoppers hope [...]
Inflation tumbles faster than expected to its lowest level in over a year at 7.9 per cent July 19, 2023 Inflation has slimmed to its lowest level in over a year and is falling faster than expected, raising the chances of the Bank of England hiking interest rates at a slower pace next month, official figures out today reveal. The rate of price growth fell to 7.9 per cent in June, down from 8.7 per [...]
Why lower inflation should cause the Bank of England to tread carefully July 19, 2023 And breathe. The City and Bank of England have waited a long, long time for the Office for National Statistics to provide some good inflation news. Headline consumer price index inflation down to 7.9 per cent. Core inflation below seven per cent. Services inflation lower at 7.2 per cent. It is the first time that [...]
FTSE 100 close: London markets rise strongly after June inflation comes in lower than expected July 19, 2023 London markets breathed a sigh of relief on Wednesday after inflation finally came in lower than expected. The bluechip FTSE 100 closed 1.8 per cent higher at 7,588.20 while the midcap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the domestic economy, ended 3.8 per cent higher at 19,322.52. Investors were buoyed [...]
Pay growth stays at three decade high but inflation still stripping away wages July 19, 2023 Pay growth is running at its fastest pace in over three decades and has remained unchanged for the second quarter in a row, in a sign the Bank of England may have to back a bigger interest rate hike again next month. New figures out today from XpertHR reveal wages leapt six per cent in [...]
Restaurateurs reeling as no shows cost sector £90 per missing head July 19, 2023 Restaurateurs are reeling as punters not showing up for dinner costs businesses £90 per head, a new study has shown, leading many to consider throwing in the towel for good. A rising number of diners cancelling at the last minute, or just not turning up, over the last year has led to almost a fifth [...]
FTSE 100 close: Ocado drags London index into black as markets brace for inflation data July 18, 2023 London’s FTSE 100 squeezed out gains today that have pushed it back into the black in 2023, propped up by shares in online grocer Ocado soaring after a decent set of results. The capital’s premier index jumped 0.64 per cent to 7,453.68 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with [...]
Ultra-high food prices here to stay as Russia exits Black Sea grain deal with Ukraine July 17, 2023 Soaring food costs may not fall as quickly as markets had hoped, retail and pub industries have warned amid a Russian supply squeeze.
New data: Cost-cutting and restructuring helps keep restaurant industry alive July 17, 2023 Bank of England interest rate rises could threaten the UK restaurant sector’s return to profitability, according to national accountancy group, UHY Hacker Young. The group say the percentage of UK restaurant companies turning a profit has more than doubled from 35 per cent to 78 per cent in the past year, but recent rate increases could [...]