Robert Walters posts 60 per cent profit slump as economic woes clobber recruitment August 1, 2023 A recruiter that is often viewed by analysts as a bellwether for the UK jobs market has posted a 60 per cent drop in profits as a result of firms trimming hiring amid the economic slowdown. Robert Walters, which specialises in sourcing talent for the City’s biggest banks, brokers and insurers, said today operating profits [...]
Alcohol duty rise is ‘biggest shake up’ in decades as booze to be taxed by strength August 1, 2023 The price of beer and wine will increase today as part of plans previously set out in the Spring Budget. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced the measures as part of the budget back in March, which saw an end to the blanket alcohol duty freeze which was put in place via the Autumn Budget 2020 during [...]
FTSE 100 close: HSBC leaps and BP gives up gains in mixed day for London index August 1, 2023 London’s FTSE 100 kicked lower today after a clutch of mixed results puzzled investors. The capital’s premier index fell 0.43 per cent lower to 7,666.26 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the UK economy, slipped 0.41 per cent to 19,065.66 points. A set of results [...]
HSBC launches $2bn share buyback after rising rates helps bank beat expectations August 1, 2023 HSBC launched a new $2bn (£1.56bn) share buyback programme after comfortably beating expectations in the second quarter. In the three months to June, pretax profit hit $8.8bn (£6.86bn) – over $4bn higher than last year and surpassing the $8bn predicted by analysts. The strong performance reflected the impact of rising interest rates around the world [...]
Tighter interest rates and inflation clobber UK business confidence August 1, 2023 Higher interest rates and elevated prices have thrown a wet blanket over UK business optimism, according to surveys out today. Confidence as measured by the lobby group the Institute of Directors (IoD) was largely unchanged last month at minus 30 points, up marginally from June’s minus 31 point reading. It solidifies signs that pessimism is [...]
Are central banks to blame for the inflation crisis? August 1, 2023 As we enter what looks like the final leg of central banks’ interest rate rising journeys, it’s as good a time as ever to trace why they have been jolted into action after over a decade of ultra loose policy and whether their response to the inflation crisis has been effective. Coming out of the [...]
The Notebook: Ian Whittaker on S4’s bad luck, a surprising election forecast and the unbeatable pull of strong brands August 1, 2023 Where the City’s movers and shakers get some things off their chest. Today it’s Ian Whittaker, founder of Liberty Sky Advisors S4’s latest woes are down to bad luck, not bad judgement The Q2 results season is in full swing and, so far, it is fair to describe the season as better than expected. The [...]
Why the windfall tax is here to stay after today’s bombshell oil and gas announcements July 31, 2023 The government has work to do if it wants to convince the North Sea oil and gas sector over its energy plans.
Bank of England to hike interest rates for 14th time in a row to 2008 high of 5.25 per cent July 31, 2023 The Bank of England this week is tipped to hike interest rates for the 14th time in a row as it extends its fight against roaring inflation. Members of the nine-strong monetary policy committee (MPC) are expected on Thursday to back a 25 basis point increase to the UK’s official interest rate, which would send [...]
Retailers in trouble as 51 per cent of punters cut back on clothes shopping July 31, 2023 Retail and hospitality industries continue to be bruised by the UK’s cost of living crisis as 59 per cent of people have cut their spending on eating out and a further 51 per cent have cut spending on clothing. As Brits continue to watch their pennies amid high inflation, figures from Oxera show that in [...]