We should be creating a Right to Build not reviving more Thatcherite dreams May 5, 2022 This week, Boris Johnson mooted the idea of breathing new life into the Thatcherite right-to-buy policy. As the Conservatives face down the barrel of fierce local elections, headline-grabbing policies are a useful tool. With the new right-to-buy scheme, up to 2.5 million households could be able to buy their homes at a discounted price of [...]
European firms hike prices at fastest pace on record May 4, 2022 Businesses in Europe are hiking prices at the fastest pace on record in response to swelling costs triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China lockdowns, revealed a closely watched survey released today. The fresh figures underscore the severity of inflationary pressures that are spreading through the world’s top economies. Data published on Tuesday by [...]
Airbus could face jet delays after EU regulator mulls over design changes May 4, 2022 Airbus’s launch of its upgraded A321XLR model could face delays after the EU regulator is considering design changes. According to Reuters industry sources, the launch was postponed from late 2023 to sometimes in 2024 after the EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) considered making changes to the aircraft’s lower fuselage design. Changes to the design of [...]
Maersk warns about future impact of China’s lockdowns despite record quarter May 4, 2022 Maersk has warned about the impact of China’s current lockdowns on its future performance, despite reporting record quarterly profits. “Further challenges arise from the ongoing Covid-19 lockdowns in China, and while the impact on the first quarter is limited, it may worsen the congestion environment in coming quarters as the situation develops,” the company said [...]
Where are the opportunities in a disrupted US auto sector? May 4, 2022 Worldwide automobile production is struggling to keep up with demand, mainly due to shortages in semiconductors and supply chain disruptions. Geopolitical unrest is causing further declines in production estimates and applying the most pressure to European output. Russian auto production is expected to collapse. German auto original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are facing factory slowdowns due [...]
SNP’s record is nothing to sing about, but unionists must win the emotional argument May 4, 2022 The SNP’s record where they have power is poor – yet their continued victories suggest unionists need to up the ante For all the excitement – ok, some sarcasm – of local elections across England tomorrow what should really be drawing most attention are results north of the border. What should be a decision about [...]
Sales slow at J D Wetherspoon as costs rocket and punters dip May 4, 2022 Sales at J D Wetherspoon dipped four per cent in the third quarter as the pub group struggles to keep pace with pre-pandemic levels.
Crypto.com u-turns on plans to scrap staking rewards amid backlash May 3, 2022 Crypto.com chief Kris Marszalek said the firm will reinstate staking rewards for card users a day after scrapping the program.
Investors’ warm response to break up rumours boosts HSBC shares May 3, 2022 Shares in Britain’s biggest bank climbed today in a sign investors backed a proposal by its largest shareholder to carve out its profit-machine Asia business. FTSE 100-listed HSBC’s shares gained 1.61 per cent today on the first day of trading in London since calls to break-up the lender strengthened. Ping An, a Chinese insurance giant [...]
The City View: Michael Hewson on why calls for a windfall tax are misplaced May 3, 2022 Today Andy Silvester talks to Michael Hewson, Chief Market Analyst at CMC Markets. They pick apart the arguments for a windfall tax on BP, discuss potential rate rises from the Fed and Bank of England, and go through the impact that China’s zero-Covid policy has had on manufacturing in the country. And in other news [...]