Europe set for softer open as froth gets blown off some of yesterday’s gains November 17, 2020 For the second week in succession global markets have got off to a flier, with the FTSE100 hitting its best levels since June, while US markets put in yet another record close for the Dow and S&P500. Once again it was optimism over a vaccine that prompted yesterday’s move higher, as Moderna followed in the [...]
Oil prices bounce back on Moderna vaccine hopes ahead of crucial Opec+ meeting November 16, 2020 Oil prices bounced back today as optimism over a new coronavirus vaccine compounded encouraging economic figures from China and Japan and encouraged traders. After picking up 10 per cent on the back of the news of an effective coronavirus vaccine, prices flagged on Thursday and Friday as growing numbers of Covid cases brought markets back [...]
Arcadia taking ‘appropriate steps’ amid second lockdown but denies administration November 16, 2020 Sir Philip Green’s retail empire Arcadia has said it is taking “all appropriate steps” to mitigate the impact of a second lockdown and hit back at claims it is about to enter into administration. The second lockdown in England comes at a precarious time as retailers prepared for the Christmas period hoping to salvage the [...]
Asian stocks near record high after signing of huge RCEP trade deal November 16, 2020 Asian stock markets rose towards record highs after countries in the region signed the world’s biggest trade deal, which covers nearly a third of the globe’s population and economic output. The main Asian benchmark was on track to close at its highest ever level. China’s SSE Composite index rose one per cent while Japan’s Nikkei [...]
Weekly outlook, 16-20 November: will FTSE rally continue? November 15, 2020 After the best week for the FTSE 100 since April, investors will be keen to see if markets can keep the rally going, with a slew of heavyweights set to report. Last Monday Pfizer’s announcement that its vaccine was 90 per cent effective in treating the coronavirus disease sent stocks soaring. Traders cheered the news, [...]
Bookshop.org: How a ‘scrappy’ online bookseller is trying to take on Amazon November 15, 2020 While the tech revolution has worked its way into all parts of daily life, few industries have experienced as extreme an overhaul as publishing. US bookstore sales have dropped from highs of more than $17bn (£12.9bn) to less than $10bn, while Amazon’s market share has grown to over 50 per cent. But now there’s a [...]
Greggs to cut 820 jobs as Covid-19 impact bites November 13, 2020 Greggs will cut 820 shop staff jobs as it expects trading to remain below normal for the foreseeable future due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a company spokeswoman confirmed this evening. In September Greggs launched a consultation with union and employee representatives and was aiming to minimise job losses by negotiating reduced staff hours. The company [...]
Majority of Brits sceptical of Black Friday offers, survey shows November 13, 2020 A huge majority of Brits are sceptical about Black Friday offers, believing many of the discounts are too good to be true, the latest research showed in the run up to the annual sales day. Black Friday has become one of the biggest shopping days of the year, and will be of particular importance to [...]
Caffe Nero seeks rescue deal due to second coronavirus lockdown November 13, 2020 Caffe Nero has launched a restructuring plan to reduce costs due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the coffee chain’s branches in city centre and transport hub locations. The high street cafe chain has appointed KPMG to advise on a Company Voluntary Arrangement following the introduction of a second coronavirus lockdown. City A.M. [...]
Burberry shares climb as group clings onto profit during pandemic November 12, 2020 Burberry shares climbed almost four per cent at market open this morning as the luxury retailer announced it had clung onto profit during the coronavirus crisis. The results The pandemic dealt a heavy blow for Burberry, with revenue sinking 31 per cent in the 26 weeks to 26 September, as the fashion retailer was forced [...]