Retail sales up in April but analysts warn on implications of further rate hikes May 26, 2023 Retail sales volumes recovered slightly by 0.5 per cent in April as the sector was lifted by the Easter holidays, however high inflation and strains on household finances continue to hinder spending. Non-food stores sales volumes rose by 1.0 per cent during the month, data from the ONS shows, following a fall of 1.8 per [...]
Extending ULEZ is making criminals out of the leftie middle-class May 26, 2023 I’m as middle-class and suburban as it gets in London, but locals are planning a rebellion against ULEZ.
More than a year after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine some firms still can’t – or won’t – quit Moscow May 25, 2023 Some global companies are still operating in Russia more than a year on from the country’s invasion of Ukraine. Firms were quick to respond to the full-scale war, which broke out last February, with some saying they would quit Russia immediately and others curtailing imports or new investment. Billions of pounds of factories, energy holdings [...]
Sweet treat for Tate & Lyle shareholders as profits jump north of £300m May 25, 2023 Food and beverage ingredient supplier Tate & Lyle continued its strong performance this year with a 22 per cent boost in profits, as it shrugged off concerns over supply chain volatility and benefited from inflation driving up prices. The group, one of the world’s biggest producers of sweeteners such as high fructose corn syrup, made [...]
Bank of England to hike interest rates to 5.5 per cent to tame scorching inflation May 24, 2023 The Bank of England will have to hike interest rates to a peak of 5.5 per cent to tame steaming inflation, threatening to push the UK economy back to the edge of recession, markets bet today after fresh numbers showed price pressures are withstanding rate rises. Upward moves in financial markets’ expectations for peak UK [...]
Why today’s inflation numbers are much, much worse than you think May 24, 2023 Inflation in the UK has trimmed to its lowest level in over a year. It has also dropped out of the double digits for the first time since last August. Hooray! These are milestones that shouldn’t be welcomed with much joy, especially given that outside of the last 18 months or so, inflation barely budged [...]
UK mortgage holders will see payments rise to 30 per cent of their income, Barclays boss warns May 24, 2023 UK mortgage holders will see their monthly payments jump to up to 30% of their income from about 20% over the past few decades, the boss of Barclays has said. CS Venkatakrishnan, known as Venkat, said the sharp rise in interest rates will lead to a “huge income shock” by the end of next year. [...]
FTSE 100: Sticky inflation figures spook markets as investors brace for rate hike pain May 24, 2023 London’s flagship index tumbled in early trading this morning as investors took fright at sticky inflation figures that could trigger further interest rate hikes this year.
Inflation falls out of double digits to lowest level in a year but tops forecasts May 24, 2023 UK inflation has fallen into single digits but the price of food continues to spiral at the fastest rate in four decades.
Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey and chief wonk Huw Pill admit they botched inflation forecasts May 23, 2023 Top officials at the Bank of England today admitted they have undershot the strength of inflation, with governor Andrew Bailey confessing the central bank has some “very big” lessons to learn over how it sets interest rates. MPs on the influential treasury select committee slammed members of the monetary policy committee (MPC) for failing to [...]