FTSE 100 Live: US stocks sink on open; Iran warns oil price could hit $200 March 9, 2026 Good morning and welcome back to the City AM liveblog. The chaos in global markets of last following the breakout of conflict in the Middle East is poised to continue as tensions in the Gulf showed no sign of slowing down over the weekend. The price of oil notched its highest gains in a single [...]
Small house building firms in ‘existential crisis’ as sales rates plummet March 9, 2026 Falling sales are pushing small and medium-sized (SME) house builders into an “existential crisis” that could threaten the government’s house building ambitions. SME house builders have seen average sales drop by 41 per cent between 2021 and 2025, according to a report by estate agents Savills for the Land, Planning and Development Federation (LPDF). The [...]
Israel expands strikes on Iranian oil as Trump hits out at Starmer March 8, 2026 Israel expanded its attacks on Iranian oil facilities as President Trump hit out at the Prime Minister, telling Keir Starmer he doesn’t need the UK’s military support. The boss of Iran’s oil distribution company told state TV five sites were “damaged” but that the fires have been brought under control. The chief executive of the [...]
Borrowing costs climb most since mini-Budget on inflation fears March 6, 2026 The government’s borrowing costs rose dramatically on Friday and were on track to have their worst week since Liz Truss’s fateful mini-Budget, amid fears the escalating war in the Middle East will unleash another bout of high inflation. The interest rate on UK bonds – known as gilts – rose across the board, to reach [...]
Iran war: From fuel to food, what could get more expensive? March 6, 2026 Amid fears the war in Iran could “bring down” the world’s economies, experts have warned the conflict could have wide-ranging impacts which reach into the households of everyday consumers. The Middle East plays a central role in global energy supplies and shipping routes, and consumer industries have warned the knock-on effects of the conflict could [...]
Fish and chip shops under threat as Iran war spikes energy prices March 6, 2026 Britain’s beloved fish and chip shops could go under as they brace for the boom in energy and import costs caused by the Iran war, an industry leader has warned. Andrew Crook, president of the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), told City AM chippie owners across the country are expecting the conflict to add [...]
House prices rise as property market builds momentum March 6, 2026 House prices grew 1.3 per cent year on year to February, in the strongest growth in four months, as the property market continues its steady start to the year. Prices rose by 0.3 per cent between January and February, with the average UK property price at a new high of £301,151, according to Halifax’s house [...]
FTSE 100 Live: Stocks jittery amid oil tensions; Khan woos Anthropic AI March 6, 2026 Good morning and welcome back to the City AM liveblog. Inflation fears have dominated the week and as for the time being, they don’t look to be heading anywhere. The FTSE 100 ended Thursday’s session slipping 1.5 per cent to 10,413.94p as markets battled renewed fears of an energy crisis. Brent crude futures – the international [...]
‘And so it begins’ – Mortgage lenders kick rates back up amid Middle East crisis March 5, 2026 A number of mortgage lenders are kicking the their rates back up, with more expected to follow, as market conditions remain volatile due to the unfolding crisis in the Middle East. HSBC UK has said it will increase some of its mortgage rates for first-time buyers, movers and re-mortgagers and the UK’s largest building society, [...]
Inflation expectations eased before Middle East energy crisis March 5, 2026 Inflation expectations among UK firms eased before President Trump launched a war against Iran, which has sent oil and gas prices spiralling and spooked financial markets. The Bank of England revealed in its latest decision makers’ panel survey that company directors expected price growth to be 3.3 per cent in the next year when asked [...]