As it happened: Miners fuel FTSE 100 recovery; oil jumps as Trump claims Strait of Hormuz August 19, 2026 Welcome back to the City AM liveblog. The FTSE 100 is falling on Wednesday as oil prices continue their march upwards and investors digest a jump in inflation. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) put the consumer price index inflation reading at 2.9 per cent for the 12 months to July. The previous inflation reading [...]
Klarna cuts revenue target as it forecasts softer European volumes August 18, 2026 Klarna has downgraded its revenue target for the year following unfavourable currency shifts and reduced activity from softer European volumes. The Swedish fintech unicorn said it expects to make between $4.08bn and $4.16bn for the current financial year, down from its previous forecast of over $4.34bn (£3.21bn). This came alongside a reduction in predicted gross [...]
Poundland owner eyes sale one year after takeover August 18, 2026 The owner of Poundland is weighing up a sale of the discount retailer only one year after snapping it up for just £1. Gordon Brothers, a Boston-based investment firm, is in talks with advisers over launching a potential auction for the retailer – which is in the midst of a drastic restructuring. The sale would [...]
Jobless Banquet: Youth unemployment surge ‘sends Neets to KFC’ August 18, 2026 A surge in youth unemployment has fuelled the rise of chicken shops across British high streets as young people not in work, education or training – known as Neets – have flocked to fast food, a consultancy has argued. Analysts at Baringa, a consultancy with more than 2,000 employees, have drawn a link between the [...]
Picky Brits: Heatwave fuels surge in finger food spending August 18, 2026 Record summer temperatures have driven a surge in “picky bits” spending as British shoppers rush to the chilled aisle in a boost to UK supermarkets. The sweltering heat is causing Brits to cut back their grocery bills, instead spending little and often on items like olives and quiche, according to figures from Worldpanel by Numerator. [...]
Cliganic Launches at Planet Organic, Bringing Consumers Back to the Roots of Organic Beauty in the UK August 18, 2026 Planet Organic expands its wellness assortment with 19 Cliganic products, introducing certified organic oils, aromatherapy essentials, and plant-based personal care rooted in nature’s original ingredients.
Mike Ashley’s Frasers ups stake in Hugo Boss after takeover bid August 18, 2026 Frasers Group has pushed up its stake in Hugo Boss to nearly half of the company, though Mike Ashley’s group misses out on full control of the luxury fashion brand. The Sports Direct owner has increased its portion of the German fashion house to nearly 48 per cent after offering €38 for every share in [...]
Activist investor accuses The Works chair of working from home – in New Zealand August 17, 2026 The activist investor locked in a boardroom battle with The Works has accused its chair of switching his residence to New Zealand and dialling in to crucial meetings. Kelso, a London-listed investment fund, is pushing to appoint a director of its choosing to the discount retailer’s board, but The Works has slapped down the move, saying it [...]
Pre-season tours: Inside the economics of football’s summer money-spinners August 14, 2026 Football’s summer tours have turned into travelling commercial platforms bringing together big fees, sponsors, merchandise, media and global fan growth, explains Simon Dent. For most football supporters, pre-season used to mean low-key friendlies against a local non-league team, some heavy-legged players and a chance to see the new signing for 30 minutes. For clubs, it [...]
The Works activist investor hits back at retailer’s ‘absurd’ claims August 13, 2026 The activist investor seeking to gain a seat on the board at The Works has hit back at the discount retailer’s “absurd” claims the move would undermine its growth plans. Kelso, an activist investor, has criticised the AIM-listed retailer for urging shareholders to block its attempt to install retired private equity partner Graeme Coulthard as [...]