Banks lead UK firms in dividend payments after HSBC dishes out £8.4bn January 25, 2024 Banks led UK firms in dividend payments last year for the first time since the financial crisis, according to new research, on the back of interest rate hikes.
‘Sticking plaster’ funding doesn’t change need for council tax reform, accountants claim January 25, 2024 An extra half a billion pounds in emergency social care funding for councils is a “sticking plaster", accountants have warned.
Against trees: London’s fussy little parks are a waste of time and money January 25, 2024 The buzzword ‘green’ nowadays adds kudos to any planning project – even if it’s a potted plant next to a bus stop, writes Lucy Kenningham
FTSE 100 today: London markets likely to mirror Wall Street’s rise in global tech rally January 25, 2024 Global markets rally on tech strength, while Tesla is down 6%, and oil prices rise. Focus shifts to pivotal indicators like U.S. Q4 GDP, PCE inflation, ECB policy, and Intel earnings.
Private equity dealmaking slumped 20 per cent as UK financial services bucked trend January 24, 2024 Throughout the entire market, it reported that deals had fallen even more significantly, dropping from 1,802 in 2022 to 1,451.
‘Mixed picture’ for London firms as two thirds worry inflation will dampen progress January 24, 2024 Growing concern over the impact of higher interest rates and inflationary pressures came despite the fairly rapid drop in inflation seen at the end of 2023.
In-house lawyers expecting a surge in legal disputes amid wage and union pressures January 24, 2024 Businesses are anticipating a rise in legal disputes, however, they need to also be prepared for the rising costs of litigation. A report by law Firm Shoosmiths stated that 82 per cent of in-house senior lawyers expect an increase in spending on dispute resolution over the next three years. Those surveyed say they will consider [...]
Hinkley Point C faces additional four-year multi-billion pound delay January 24, 2024 Completion of the Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant has been delayed by up to four more years at the cost of billions of pounds, according to its manufacturers. France’s state energy company EDF, which operates all of the UK’s five active nuclear power stations, said the project’s launch date has been pushed from June [...]
Luxury retailer Julian Charles forced into the red by rising costs January 24, 2024 Rising costs forced luxury bedding and homewares retailer Julian Charles into the red during its latest financial year.
UK economy off to ‘promising start’ in 2024 but firms reveal impact of Red Sea crisis January 24, 2024 The survey measures business activity in the private sector. Anything above 50 indicates business activity is expanding.