US GDP sails past expectations again on back of strong consumer spending July 25, 2024 The world’s largest economy breezed past economists’ expectations yet again as consumer spending picked up more than anticipated. According to new ‘flash’ figures published on Thursday, US GDP grew at an annualised rate of 2.8 per cent between April and June. Economists had expected GDP to grow 2.0 per cent. This was a substantial acceleration [...]
Vodafone posts solid gains as chief Della Valle drives turnaround strategy July 25, 2024 The telco said it is still waiting for the competition regulator to rule on whether its proposal to merge its UK operations with those of Three is allowed.
The UK economy has defied gloomy expectations. Can this continue? July 25, 2024 The UK economy has surprised pundits again and again this year, growing at a much faster rate than almost anyone had expected.
Sadiq Khan has no answers on London’s ailing nightlife July 25, 2024 More than 3,000 pubs and clubs have closed since the pandemic while other cities like Manchester and Liverpool have thrived. If the mayor won’t do anything about it, others will, says Emma Best Growing up gay in London, my world and confidence in who I was changed when I was able to start experiencing London’s [...]
Christian Dior hails ‘great strength’ despite luxury slowdown hitting UK profit July 24, 2024 The UK arm of Christian Dior has said it showed "great strength" in the face of "continued economic and political volatility" which saw its profit dip during 2023.
UK growth set to continue as manufacturing PMI climbs to two year high July 24, 2024 The economy’s strong performance so far in 2024 looks set to continue thanks to the continued recovery of the manufacturing sector, a closely watched survey suggests. S&P’s ‘flash’ purchasing managers’s index (PMI) came in at 52.7, up from 52.3 last month and slightly higher than the 52.6 expected by economists. The survey, which measures economic [...]
Grainger snaps up Manchester landmark in £31m deal July 24, 2024 Residential property giant Grainger has snapped up a £31m build-to-rent scheme located in one of Manchester's most thriving neighbourhoods.
Vimto maker Nichols issues bumper dividend amid profit boom July 24, 2024 Vimto maker Nichols has issued a bumper £20m special dividend while hiking its interim dividend by 18 per cent, after the company recorded double digit profit growth in the first half of the year.
Six graphs the Bank of England will study before August interest rate decision July 24, 2024 For the first time since last September, there is genuine uncertainty about the Bank of England’s next move on interest rates. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will meet next Thursday, with markets putting the odds of a cut at about 40 per cent. There’s enough evidence of disinflation to warrant a cut. Similarly, more hawkish [...]
Fiscal prudence? The iron chancellor doth protest too much July 24, 2024 Rachel Reeves’ decision to expand the powers of the OBR suggests apprehension, not confidence, writes Tim Focas. Rachel Reeves has promised to be an “iron chancellor” embodying fiscal constraint and discipline. Yet, her first legislative move to enhance the powers of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) raises questions about her own confidence in living [...]