Almost 300 pubs closed last year ahead of cost rises February 17, 2025 The British Beer and Pub Association warned that urgent Government action is needed to avoid more “completely avoidable” closures.
City braces for inflation rebound February 17, 2025 City analysts expect the headline rate of inflation to rise to 2.8 per cent, up from 2.5 per cent in December.
HSBC set to unveil bigger profits as cost-cutting overhaul in focus February 16, 2025 HSBC is set to unveil bigger profits as investors prepare for an update on the bank’s cost-cutting overhaul, while earnings for Lloyds will be in focus amid a long-running motor finance probe. Rivals Barclays and NatWest set the tone for the banking sector when they reported stronger earnings this week, despite UK interest rates starting [...]
Thames Water asks watchdog to let it charge even higher bills February 14, 2025 Thames Water is asking the competition regulator to allow it to charge customers even more over the coming years than had previously been granted. The company has already been allowed a 35 per cent rise in consumer bills over the next five years by water regulator Ofwat, after Thames had previously lobbied for a 59 per cent hike. Now, it wants [...]
Nikon: Profit cut in half amid falling demand February 14, 2025 Profit was cut in half at the European arm of Nikon amid falling demand in its healthcare business, it has been revealed. The division of the Japanese giant has reported a pre-tax profit of €13.5m (£11.2m) for the 12 months to 31 March, 2024, according to newly-filed accounts with Companies House. The latest figure comes [...]
Segro: Data centre demand fuels growth at warehousing giant February 14, 2025 Warehousing giant Segro has reported a double-digit jump in profit driven by demand for data centres and improving investment market conditions. Shares were flat in early trades. Adjusted profit before tax at the FTSE-100 real estate investment trust (REIT) grew 14.9 per cent in the year ended December 31 to £470m. Adjusted earnings per share rose 5.5 per [...]
Natwest skims past profit expectations February 14, 2025 Natwest narrowly beat analysts’ annual profit expectations after posting a bump in its consumer lending. The FTSE 100 lender posted a £6.2bn pre-tax profit, ahead of £6.1bn pencilled in by analysts and up 0.3 per cent on 2023. Net loans to customers hit £368.5bn, an increase of £12.9bn, which reflected Natwest’s acquisition of Metro Bank’s [...]
HSBC to unveil $1.5bn in savings alongside financial results February 14, 2025 Citing two people familiar with the matter, the FT reported that the savings will largely come from HSBC's decision to withdraw from non-core markets.
Whisky Business: The Glenlivet’s oldest permanent expression to date February 14, 2025 Whisky Business: City AM’s monthly look at the world of whisky. The key to whisky’s unique flavour is patience, but for producers, there will always be a trade-off between patience and profit. While the process of distilling whisky only takes a few days, Scotch whisky must be matured for a minimum of three years, a significant [...]
National insurance hike has ‘taken a bite’ out of London labour market February 14, 2025 Permanent placements made by recruitment firms fell for the sixth consecutive month in January, according to a survey from KPMG and the REC.