FTSE 100 today: London markets set to open higher on the heels of strong US tech earnings April 26, 2024 Asian stocks rallied alongside a strong tech sector fuelled by impressive US earnings. Bank of Japan maintained its short-term interest rate target at 0-0.1 per cent. Oil prices climbed, while Microsoft and Alphabet shares surged post-earnings beats. Investors await US inflation data and focus on ExxonMobil and NatWest earnings.
High commodity prices could keep inflation elevated, World Bank warns April 25, 2024 The World Bank has predicted that commodity prices will fall just three per cent in 2024 and four per cent in 2025.
US economy disappoints in first quarter of 2024 as growth slows far more than expected April 25, 2024 The US economy slowed far more than expected in the first quarter of the year as its gross domestic product (GDP) endured the influence of stubborn inflation and high interest rates.
Unilever thanks ‘power brands’ for sales bump as Marmite-maker steams ahead with turnaround plan April 25, 2024 Consumer giant Unilever said sales of its most popular brands such as Dove soap helped drive growth in the first quarter, in the businesses first trading update since announcing plans to sell its ice-cream arm.
FTSE 100 today: BHP pounces on Anglo American while Meta drags tech lower April 25, 2024 US stocks saw a slight rise amid volatility. Asian stocks declined as Meta reignited tech sell-off, and the Japanese yen dropped below ¥155. Meta's stock fell 15 per cent, contributing to market turbulence. Despite this, oil and gold prices held steady. Investors now await US Q1 GDP data and earnings updates from Alphabet, Microsoft, Intel and Barclays.
Social media drives UK online ad spend to highest level ever April 25, 2024 Total ad spend rose six per cent in 2023 to £36.6bn, although this translated to a 1.2 per cent contraction after accounting for inflation.
City Hall: Sadiq Khan tells Londoners to judge him on his transport policies on 2 May April 25, 2024 Sadiq Khan has told Londoners to judge him on his record on transport policies, including cycle superhighways and low traffic neighbourhoods, on May 2.
CBI boss: Britain ‘can’t rest on laurels’ in growth industries like life sciences and net zero April 25, 2024 The UK “can’t rest on our laurels” in high-growth industries like life sciences and net zero, the boss of Confederation of British Industry (CBI) is to say.
Andrew Tyrie: How greater competition could spur productivity growth April 25, 2024 "The UK government does not have a framework in place for monitoring levels of competition in the economy that’s fit for purpose," Lord Tyrie said. "It badly needs one".
Will it work? Labour’s plan to reconceptualise the high street April 25, 2024 In this column Sam Fowles take policies on their own terms. This week he asks whether Labour's plan to revive the high street will work.