BP suffers second-quarter downturn but profit still tops £2bn August 1, 2023 Weaker refining margins and falling oil and gas prices has weighed down BP's profits in the second quarter of 2023.
Are central banks to blame for the inflation crisis? August 1, 2023 As we enter what looks like the final leg of central banks’ interest rate rising journeys, it’s as good a time as ever to trace why they have been jolted into action after over a decade of ultra loose policy and whether their response to the inflation crisis has been effective. Coming out of the [...]
Tighter interest rates and inflation clobber UK business confidence August 1, 2023 Higher interest rates and elevated prices have thrown a wet blanket over UK business optimism, according to surveys out today. Confidence as measured by the lobby group the Institute of Directors (IoD) was largely unchanged last month at minus 30 points, up marginally from June’s minus 31 point reading. It solidifies signs that pessimism is [...]
Eurozone economy pulls away from recession as inflation slips again to 5.3 per cent July 31, 2023 The European economy is outperforming expectations and pulling away from recession as inflation continues to descend, official data out today shows. Growth across the 20 countries that use the euro hit 0.3 per cent in the three months to June, according to the bloc’s statistics agency Eurostat. That topped analysts’ expectations of a 0.2 per [...]
Bank of England to hike interest rates for 14th time in a row to 2008 high of 5.25 per cent July 31, 2023 The Bank of England this week is tipped to hike interest rates for the 14th time in a row as it extends its fight against roaring inflation. Members of the nine-strong monetary policy committee (MPC) are expected on Thursday to back a 25 basis point increase to the UK’s official interest rate, which would send [...]
Can the supermarkets ever overcome accusations of profiteering? July 28, 2023 Food producers are unwilling to pass on price drops as they battle oscillating and chaotic costs for supplies that they have little control over.
FTSE 100 close: British Gas owner propels to top of London index after record profit July 27, 2023 London’s FTSE 100 bumped higher today after a manic morning of company earnings gave a lift to market sentiment. The capital’s premier index added 0.21 per cent to reach 7,692.77 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250, which is more aligned with the health of the UK economy, climbed 0.45 per cent to 19,273.37 points. [...]
Scottish Power posts £576m profits as energy firms rebound after Ofgem move July 27, 2023 Scottish Power is the latest energy firm to post a hefty rebound in profits, powered by Ofgem's decision to permit generous allowances.
More energy bill support for households will be needed this winter, Cornwall Insight warns July 27, 2023 The government should bring in fresh measures to provide support for customers, warned forecasting group Cornwall Insight.
All Bar One owner toasts rising revenues as cost pressures start to ease July 27, 2023 Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) share price soared over five per cent this morning, as the pub and restaurant chain revealed a 9.7 per cent rise in revenues in the third quarter. The All Bar One owner was bolstered by a record breaking Fathers Day in June, with like-for-like sales in food and drink during the [...]