FTSE 100 today: London markets set for cautious open as U.S. inflation data looms large February 29, 2024 Asia mirrors Wall Street's decline, bitcoin breaches $60,000, and oil prices fall; all eyes are on US PCE inflation data for market direction.
Direct Line shares rocket higher after rejecting £3.1bn offer from Belgian peer Ageas February 28, 2024 This morning, Bloomberg reported Ageas had been working with advisers to put together an offer for Direct Line, but had seen its most recent offer rebuffed.
‘Fragile’ UK at risk from ‘another acceleration’ in business insolvencies, Allianz warns February 28, 2024 The insurer's global insolvency outlook estimated 15 per cent of small and medium-sized businesses in the UK are at risk of going bust, the highest proportion of "fragile firms" in Europe.
Octopus Energy chief Greg Jackson: The world isn’t ready for China’s clean energy tidal wave February 28, 2024 Greg Jackson said the UK could be "subsumed" by China's clean energy drive unless policymakers move quicker
Losses neared £70m at group behind kitchen maker Magnet due to cost-of-living crisis February 28, 2024 Almost £70m was lost by the group behind kitchen maker Magnet after being hit by "unprecedented" inflation, "elevated" energy prices and "notably subdued markets" due to the cost-of-living crisis.
HICL Infrastructure sells toll-road stake to finance share buyback February 28, 2024 The trust said today that it had entered an agreement to sell its entire stake in the US Northwest Parkway toll-road project for $232m (£183.4m)
Taylor Wimpey confident on year ahead despite profit slump in 2023 February 28, 2024 Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey saw operating profits tumble close to 50 per cent during the full year, as it continues to be bruised by a tough economic climate.
Office giant Derwent London upgrades 2024 outlook as rental growth exceeds expectations February 28, 2024 In the firm's 2023 results, it revealed it had brought in £28.4m of new rent, up from £9.8m in 2022.
The UK has slipped down a vital economic index – but it’s not too late February 28, 2024 The UK has hit its lowest point on record on the Index of Economic Freedom - and historian, sociologist and economist Dr Rainer Zitelmann warns significant changes are required
Interest rates aren’t as influential as you think February 28, 2024 Andy Haldane’s criticisms of the Bank of England’s persistence with higher rates are misguided. Just as near-zero rates following the financial crisis were hardly a stimulus to growth, the more recent actions of the MPC can’t be said to be ‘crushing the economy’, says Paul Ormerod Criticising the Bank of England has become fashionable in [...]