How strong might the UK’s post-Covid economic recovery be? April 30, 2021 It has been a tough start to the year for the UK. As lockdown restrictions continue to slowly ease, we examine the progress made in tackling the Covid-19 pandemic, and whether hopes for a strong economic recovery are well founded. Vaccines offered hope, speedy inoculation will solidify the recovery A year on from the start [...]
Shell hails ‘strong start’ and hikes dividend on higher oil prices April 29, 2021 Oil giant Shell this morning hailed a “strong start” to 2021 as the Anglo-Dutch firm recorded a massive increase in earnings on the back of higher oil prices. The FTSE blue-chip said that earnings rose to $3.2bn, up from $393m in the final quarter of 2020. As a result of the improvement in trading, Shell [...]
Exclusive: Remote working is just as effective, but it can hurt pay and promotion, HR execs warn April 27, 2021 As the City is gradually coming out of lockdown, a range of large companies and financial institutions announced in recent weeks that hybrid working is here to stay. HSBC became the latest big financial services firm to confirm it is making some sweeping structural changes to its working pattern as it adjusts to the post-pandemic [...]
Shell Q1 results: What to expect April 27, 2021 After BP today gave the market “all it could have asked for”, attention will now turn to rival oil giant Shell ahead of Thursday’s first quarter results. While the former firm came into the results trumpeting the fact that it would hit its debt reduction targets a year early, prompting the restart of share buybacks, [...]
City Corporation unveils action plan to be world’s most innovative, inclusive and sustainable centre April 27, 2021 The Square Mile must adapt to post-pandemic economic and social trends in order to remain a world-leading ecosystem, according to a new report published today by the City of London Corporation. The Square Mile: Future City, produced by the City Corporation’s Recovery Taskforce inpartnership with Oliver Wyman, sets out a vision for the next five [...]
Why the going is about to get tougher for investing in climate change April 23, 2021 2020 was an extraordinary year for climate change action. Public opinion, governments, businesses and financial markets all had major shifts in their appreciation of the urgent need to address the climate crisis. More investment, research and development, and international collaboration will now come together to enable a faster transition to a net zero economy. While [...]
UK inflation climbs to 0.7 per cent in March April 21, 2021 The UK’s Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose to 0.7 per cent in March, from 0.4 per cent in February, official ONS figures showed this morning. CPI was boosted by rising fuel costs and clothing but was partially offset by falls in the price of food. The ONS said prices charged by manufacturers rose by 1.9 [...]
McLaren 620R review: road racer serves up raw driving thrills April 6, 2021 The McLaren 620R is a genuine race car for the road – and the ultimate iteration of the Sports Series before the new Artura arrives.
Which equity sectors can combat higher inflation? March 31, 2021 Some investors are worried that inflation is set to rise. We look at which equity sectors could prove to be the most resilient. The sharp rise in bond yields over recent weeks has rattled equity markets amid fears that fiscal stimulus and a post-pandemic spending splurge could stoke higher inflation. Five-year inflation expectations, as measured [...]
GFG Alliance asks ministers for £170m bailout to avoid collapse March 26, 2021 Sanjev Gupta’s steel empire has asked the government for an emergency bailout of as much as £170 to avert collapse. GFG Alliance wrote to the government this week to request emergency funding as it grapples with financing following Greensill’s collapse, according to Sky News. Greensill, which specialises in supply chain finance, was among GFG’s biggest [...]