NatWest helps firms and customers concerned with ‘cutting back on food and groceries’ January 11, 2023 NatWest has announced new measures to help squeezed businesses and customers in debt after noticed people are cutting back on food and fuel amid decades-high inflation. The banking giant, which was majority owned by the UK Government until last March, said it was extending the repayment period for customers who have missed several payments on [...]
Is ESG facing an existential crisis? What could be next for sustainable investing… January 11, 2023 It’s been a rough year for ESG – Russian oil companies qualify as sufficiently environmentally and socially responsible to receive ESG funds. Sam Bank-Friedman’s bankrupted FTX crypto enterprise has a higher ESG score on ‘leadership and governance’ than Exxon/Mobil. In light of the discovery of controversial ESG fund allocation, it is vital ESG undergoes a significant [...]
Post COVID19: Do we really want to change the way we do business? January 11, 2023 It’s been a disruptive few years for both the public and business. No industry has escaped COVID’s impact. However, not all disruption has had negative consequences. Disruption in this instance is not a stand-alone event; one industry shutdown knocks onto the next causing widespread disruption. Key industries, and businesses that adapted to fill the resulting [...]
Now that you’re asking where your supplies come from, we should talk. January 11, 2023 As the world faces a shortfall of both energy supplies and critical metals, difficult decisions are being made to meet the growing supply gaps without risking new dependencies on unsustainable producers or compromised geopolitical actors. Quite a problem for some; particularly for a range of European countries and firms in light of the Russian invasion [...]
Barratt: Rising mortgage costs could hit its profits as house prices slide January 11, 2023 Barratt Developments said the outlook for 2023 was ‘uncertain’ as rising mortgage costs force residential property sales down. The FTSE 100 listed house builder said demand for its homes in 2023 looks “uncertain” due to prospective home buyers shunning big ticket purchases amid a cost of living and mortgage affordability squeeze. Mortgage costs have been [...]
Strike! Ten Entertainment bucks hospitality trend with ‘record-breaking’ sales year January 11, 2023 Bowling alley operator Ten Entertainment delivered a “record-breaking” year, with sales up almost 90 per cent on 2021 and 50 per cent on pre-pandemic levels. The firm, which operates 48 bowling and social entertainment venues, reported a total sales increase of 87 per cent from 2021, in wake of the pandemic restrictions being lifted. It [...]
Direct Line shares plummet after insurer scraps 2022 dividend January 11, 2023 Shares in Direct Line plummeted today after the insurer said it expects to scrap its 2022 dividend due to facing a “challenging and volatile operating environment in the fourth quarter”. The insurance company said its board “no longer expects to declare a final dividend for 2022” due to it facing a series of challenges related [...]
Sainsbury’s: Expected profits up as food shoppers splash Christmas cash but Argos bears brunt of cost of living crisis January 11, 2023 Sainsbury’s cashed in on Christmas shopping with retail sales up more than five per cent, as the supermarket giant expects its profit to be at the “upper end” of guidance. The major retailer now expects to be making close to £700m in pre-tax profit this March, despite the cost of living crisis weighing down consumer [...]
Ocado beats Google, Microsoft and Mastercard to become one of best firms to work for in Britain January 11, 2023 Food delivery tech firm Ocado beat Google, Microsoft and Mastercard to be crowned as one of the best firms to work for in the UK. In fresh data published by Glassdoor today, Bain & Company was rated Britain’s top employer, with the tech sector dominating the list, taking 21 out of 50 spots. There were [...]
Gold rallies to eight-month highs amid hopes of lower Fed interest rate hikes January 10, 2023 Gold prices have stayed firm in today's trading - with the precious metal peaking at $1,880 per ounce this morning.