UK economy: Growth continues but budget concerns ‘jangling nerves’ September 23, 2024 PMIs, which measure business activity in the private sector, are closely watched for clues about the economy’s performance.
HSBC to sell German private banking arm to BNP Paribas September 23, 2024 BNP Paribas has struck a deal to acquire HSBC's German private banking arm as the French lender looks to expand in wealth management and the London-based giant continues its pivot to Asian markets.
Labour’s public investment quandary September 23, 2024 Many economists think low levels of investment have contributed to the UK's sluggish productivity growth, particularly since the financial crisis.
Meet the fund managers: Biotech investing under the microscope September 23, 2024 In this weekly series, investment reporter Elliot Gulliver-Needham sits down with a fund manager for a Q&A. This week, we’re hearing from Ailsa Craig, co-portfolio manager of International Biotechnology Trust. How does your fund stand out from others in the same market? While many companies in the biotechnology sector are proven, cash-generating businesses, those at [...]
AI companies are racing to rescue the NHS September 23, 2024 An official review by Lord Darzi revealed recently that the NHS is in “critical condition” following years of underfunding. The review found that the NHS is battling soaring demand, poor productivity, financial pressures and low staff morale. “It’s not just the state of our National Health Service in crisis – it’s also the state of [...]
Pubs face ‘double whammy’ of tax hikes as hundreds call last orders for good September 23, 2024 Around 50 pubs per month ‘vanished’ from England and Wales in the first half of the year as hospitality struggled with costs and tax rates. The overall number of pubs in England and Wales, including those vacant and being offered to let, fell to 39,096 at the end of the first half of 2024, down [...]
Misery index gives cause for hope September 23, 2024 There is an unmistakable inverse correlation between emiserating factors like unemployment, wages and house prices and consumer confidence, but new analysis suggests things may be looking up, says James Sproule The cost-of-living crisis may be difficult to define or quantify, but it is easy enough to feel – and misery has been felt not just [...]
US Fed’s preferred inflation metric set to validate jumbo rate cut September 22, 2024 Crucial US inflation data is poised to back up the Federal Reserve's jumbo interest rate cut as investors question where other central banks will follow in its footsteps.
Next: Closures on the horizon if court rejects appeal. What is in store for the retail giant? September 22, 2024 Fashion retailer Next lost a major legal battle last month over unequal pay in its UK operations. Now, it has been revealed that if it loses its appeal, it will have to close some of its stores
IFS: Clumsy capital gains reform could ‘harm government’s growth mission’ September 21, 2024 The influential think tank said the levy was "crying out for reform", but warned that poorly designed measures could do more harm than good.