City calls for financial services not to be overlooked in Brexit trade deal May 21, 2020 City figures have this week called for the UK and EU not to overlook financial services in the final Brexit trade agreement. The UK published its draft Brexit trade agreement this week which called for the UK and EU for treatment “no less favourable than that it accords to its own like financial services and [...]
Markets live: FTSE 100 goes green as US stocks shrug off China tensions May 21, 2020 The FTSE 100 turned from red to green as US markets opened higher today, despite the looming threat of escalating US-China tensions. Britain’s main stock index had fallen 0.78 per cent by 10.30am to 6,017 points. By 2.50pm it had risen 0.2 per cent to 6,078 points, however, as US markets shrugged off more jobless [...]
Amazon UK boss tipped as candidate for BBC director general role May 21, 2020 Amazon’s UK chief is said to be one of the frontrunners to take over as director general of the BBC amid concerns the job hunt could be pushed back due to Covid-19. Douglas Gurr, who has led the tech giant’s operations in the UK and Ireland since 2016, is one of four candidates on the [...]
Clarks cuts 900 jobs and mulls funding options amid coronavirus crisis May 21, 2020 Clarks is preparing to slash 900 corporate roles, the British shoe brand announced today as it confirmed it is in talks with advisers over funding options during the coronavirus crisis. The retailer said it will reduce its global workforce by 900 roles, which will be partially offset by the creation of 200 new jobs. The [...]
UK companies tapped capital markets for £30bn at height of coronavirus crisis May 21, 2020 UK companies raised around £30bn in the corporate bond and equity markets at the height of the coronavirus crisis, a report released today showed. From the middle of March to early April, 150 UK companies raised around £30bn on the capital markets in response to the coronavirus crisis, the report said. More than 90 per [...]
Markets live: FTSE 100 rises as recovery hopes boost global stocks May 20, 2020 The UK’s FTSE 100 has closed higher after a choppy day of trading as hopes of a recovery from the coronavirus downturn offset dire economic data and doubts about a new vaccine. The blue-chip index rose 1.08 per cent to 6,067 points, aided by a surge in data firm Experian, which posted strong results. European [...]
BBC Three could return as on-air channel after Normal People and Fleabag success May 20, 2020 BBC Three could be brought back on air as the broadcaster looks to capitalise on a string of recent hits that have resonated with its vital youth audience. The channel was taken off linear TV and became online-only four years ago to save £30m, with the BBC arguing that young people were increasingly watching shows [...]
Understanding what’s driving market reactions is vital May 20, 2020 Our lack of understanding of the coronavirus has added to the challenges confronting politicians and policy makers in recent months, and this in turn has fed the uncertainty impacting financial markets. There are six broad areas influencing markets: the virus itself; the economic picture; the corporate outlook; policy; second-round effects; and lessons from the past. [...]
HS2’s new west London mega-hub gets planning go-ahead May 19, 2020 HS2’s west London rail hub at Old Oak Common has this evening received planning approval from the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation. The green light means that work can progress on building what will be the largest new railway station ever built in the UK. The station will have 14 platforms, a mix [...]
FTSE 100 and US stocks slip as investor excitement cools May 19, 2020 US stocks have followed the FTSE 100 lower as investor sentiment cools following a dramatic rally yesterday on hopes that a coronavirus vaccine may soon emerge. Wall Street’s Dow Jones index was down 0.6 per cent shortly after the bell. The S&P 500 was 0.3 per cent lower but the Nasdaq was up 0.2 per [...]