Bank of England interest rate decision today on a knife edge, City economists predict August 3, 2023 As the City gears up for what everyone expects to be the Bank of England’s 14th straight interest rate rise at midday today, economists are split over how much more pain they think the group of rate setters will heap on the UK economy. Are the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) poised to meet market expectations [...]
The Notebook: Victoria Scholar on Muskisms, Barbie and why there’s light at the end of the rate-rising tunnel August 3, 2023 Where the City’s movers and shakers get a few things off their chest. Today, it’s Victoria Scholar of Interactive Investor Little relief from interest rates yet, but there is light at the end of the tunnel The Bank of England is forecast to raise interest rates for the 14th time in a row today, lifting [...]
The Bank of England needs to stop rising interest rates to avoid a painful recession August 3, 2023 After all the interest rate rises and inflation predictions, the Bank of England risks an unnecessarily deep recession, writes Damian Pudner.
Final Gatwick strikes cancelled after Unite members accept pay offer August 2, 2023 Industrial action due to take place at Gatwick this weekend has been cancelled after the last group of union workers set to strike accepted an improved pay offer. Unite members employed by Gatwick Ground Services (GGS) today accepted an improved pay offer of 10.3 per cent. As a result, disruption that was due to hit [...]
Why the shock US credit rating downgrade is unlikely to be the last August 2, 2023 Credit rating agencies are probably best known among the general public for giving a clean bill of health to the world’s biggest banks before they collapsed in 2007/08, nearly sparking a global economic meltdown akin to the Great Depression. Nonetheless, when they speak, financial traders listen. Judgements published by the likes of Fitch, Moody’s and [...]
Stansted first UK airport to hit pre-pandemic passenger highs as Europe jets off August 2, 2023 London Stansted has become the first major UK airport to achieve above pre-covid passenger numbers in any single month since before the pandemic, with this July the third busiest in its history. According to figures shared with City A.M. total passenger numbers for the period hit 2.81m, which is 102 per cent of the volumes [...]
Biden team: US credit rating decision ‘bizarre’ – and it’s Trump’s fault August 2, 2023 Biden administration officials complained on Tuesday about ratings agency Fitch’s downgrade of the top U.S. government credit rating, saying the group used flawed methodology and ignored a resilient economy. Leading the charge was U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who issued a statement declaring “I strongly disagree with Fitch Ratings’ decision” minutes after Fitch announced it [...]
What next for oil prices as US stockpiles slip and hope of China rebound rises August 2, 2023 Oil markets are benefitting from robust demand, with trading on both major benchmarks at a near four month-high.
Steady as she goes: Virgin Money launches further buyback after solid third quarter August 2, 2023 Virgin Money’s margin remained stable, despite increasing competition in the market, as Richard Branson’s bank said it anticipates a £175m share buyback at its end of year results. The challenger bank launched a £50m buyback today, after it passed the Bank of England’s stress test, and expects to deliver a £125m buyback with its full [...]
Taylor Wimpey: Profit slashed almost in half by red-hot interest rates August 2, 2023 Taylor Wimpey posted a 44.5 per cent decline in operating profit in the half year, as the house builder said it was “inevitably” impacted by red hot mortgage rates which have shattered consumer confidence. The London-listed construction firm reported a 21.2 per cent contraction in revenues down to £1.6bn compared to £2bn in the same [...]