Goldman Sachs’ profit tanks on dealmaking slump and costs tied to consumer arm July 19, 2023 Goldman Sachs’s profit tanked in the second quarter as the investment banking giant continued to struggle with the downturn in M&A activity while booking rising costs. Profit in the second quarter fell to $1.1bn, 62 per cent lower than last year while revenue fell eight per cent. The drop was primarily driven by a decline [...]
Why lower inflation should cause the Bank of England to tread carefully July 19, 2023 And breathe. The City and Bank of England have waited a long, long time for the Office for National Statistics to provide some good inflation news. Headline consumer price index inflation down to 7.9 per cent. Core inflation below seven per cent. Services inflation lower at 7.2 per cent. It is the first time that [...]
FTSE 100 close: London markets rise strongly after June inflation comes in lower than expected July 19, 2023 London markets breathed a sigh of relief on Wednesday after inflation finally came in lower than expected. The bluechip FTSE 100 closed 1.8 per cent higher at 7,588.20 while the midcap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the domestic economy, ended 3.8 per cent higher at 19,322.52. Investors were buoyed [...]
Severn Trent invests up to £1bn amid increasing scrutiny on water suppliers July 19, 2023 Severn Trent expects to invest up to £1bn this year improving its infrastructure amid increasing scrutiny on the crisis-hit sector.
Hargreaves Lansdown shares soar as firm secures new clients amid leadership speculation July 19, 2023 Investment platform Hargreaves Lansdown recorded a six per cent increase in net new business over the past three months as clients sought to lock in deals at the end of the tax year. In the three months to June, the Bristol-based DIY investing outfit saw £1.7bn of net new business, despite the market more broadly [...]
Illegal London candy stores turned into rent free shops in Oxford Street clean-up July 19, 2023 Oxford Street is set for a major revamp as Westminster City Council launches a new £10m scheme to transform London’s iconic high street. The council will make shops vacated by illicit candy stores, which have blighted the leading retail destination, available to small business owners rent free and lower their business rates by 70 per [...]
UK profit warnings hit highest yearly level since 2008, outside of pandemic July 19, 2023 The proportion of UK-listed companies that issued profit warnings in the past year was higher than any year since 2008, outside of the pandemic, according to new analysis. It comes as higher borrowing costs and a tougher sales environment have weighed heavily on businesses. Companies listed on the London Stock Exchange issued 66 profit warnings [...]
Pay growth stays at three decade high but inflation still stripping away wages July 19, 2023 Pay growth is running at its fastest pace in over three decades and has remained unchanged for the second quarter in a row, in a sign the Bank of England may have to back a bigger interest rate hike again next month. New figures out today from XpertHR reveal wages leapt six per cent in [...]
In loving memory of the Office of Tax Simplification – but hopefully not its dream July 19, 2023 We should radically reshape our taxes, making the legislation a 20 page pamphlet - but we probably won't.
Morgan Stanley profits fall on dealmaking slump while rising rates lift Bank of America July 18, 2023 The continued lull in dealmaking hit Morgan Stanley’s profit despite a strong performance from its wealth management arm, while rising rates lifted Bank of America. Income at Morgan Stanley, which specialises in investment banking, slipped to $2.2bn in the second quarter, down from $2.5bn the year before but in line with analyst expectations. This fall [...]