FTSE 100 close: Silicon Valley Bank collapse drags London index into red despite HSBC sale March 13, 2023 London’s FTSE 100 was dragged down into a global market sell off today driven by fears over how far the effects of the collapse of tech-focused Silicon Valley Bank could ricochet through the financial system. The capital’s premier index slid more than two per cent to close at 7,548.64 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE [...]
The Dart: Luton Council defends expensive ticket for new light rail dubbed UK’s most expensive line March 13, 2023 Luton Council has defended the cost to passengers of its new light rail shuttle service, amid claims it is the UK’s most expensive line. The Dart (direct air-rail transit) will launch commercial services between the Bedfordshire airport and Luton Airport Parkway – its nearest mainline railway station – in the coming weeks. One-way fares will [...]
ISA season: Beat inflation with an IFISA March 13, 2023 With inflation still hovering around 10 per cent, savvy investors across the UK are searching for the most lucrative opportunities to protect their portfolios from eroding in real terms. As we head into ISA season, there is also the opportunity to enjoy tax-free earnings on your investments, giving consumers an additional boost during the cost-of-living [...]
US Federal Reserve to refrain from rate hike later this month after Silicon Valley Bank collapse, bets Goldman March 13, 2023 Speculation is growing among traders that the US Federal Reserve could refrain from hiking interest rates later this month for fear of triggering another Silicon Valley Bank-style collapse. Turmoil in financial markets sparked by the tech-focused lender’s collapse has raised the likelihood Fed chair Jerome Powell and co may hold off raising rates any further. [...]
Have US government, regulators and Federal Reserve just reignited Bitcoin bull market? March 13, 2023 Nigel Green examines how the measures taken over Silicon Valley Bank seem to have helped to boost crypto prices.
Alcopops out, frozen berries in: How Brits’ shopping habits are changing the inflation basket March 13, 2023 Brits are swapping alcopops for frozen fruit as the nation looks to favour more healthy and environmental options in 2023, statistics from the ONS’ inflation basket can reveal. The tool which measures consumer spending patterns has also shown that non-chart CDs, and digital compact cameras have disappeared from UK shopping lists in the past year, [...]
Sunak to challenge Biden over US green subsidy package at upcoming talks March 13, 2023 The UK and US will “work through” concerns about green subsidies, Rishi Sunak revealed ahead of talks with President Joe Biden.
Direct Line shares crash as winter cold snap and inflation leave its results ‘as ugly as they can be’ March 13, 2023 Direct Line today posted a £45m loss for the year 2022 as the insurer suffered a hit from soaring inflation, extreme weather, and market volatility, in what analysts described as one of the “worst years” in the Bromley firm’s history. Shares in Direct Line fell by 5.79 per cent on the news, as the insurer [...]
UK pay on track to trail inflation for 15th month in a row as cost of living crisis bites March 13, 2023 Wages are on track to trail inflation for the 15th month in a row, underscoring how much pressure the cost of living crisis is piling onto household finances, official figures out on Tuesday are expected to show. Regular pay growth is projected to trim to 6.6 per cent over the three months to February, down [...]
London economy steams ahead to top UK growth league and on track to avoid recession March 13, 2023 London’s economy is racing ahead of the rest of the UK and is on track to power the country’s GDP out of its current slump, new figures out today show. The capital’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI) shot up to 56 points last month, up sharply from 50.5 points and far above the 50 point threshold [...]