Morning Wire — business, markets & finance

Tuesday 18 August 2026London --:--Frankfurt --:--Zurich --:--

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LatestJP Morgan chief warns UK of banking tax rise ahead of October budgetBanking

Donald Trump speaking at a podium, microphone visible, discussing the Strait of Hormuz

FTSE 100 Live

Trump's threat to claim Strait of Hormuz pushes oil up and rattles FTSE 100

Red Virgin high-speed train on tracks at a station platform, under an arched glass roof, with blurred people.

Transport & Infrastructure

Virgin Trains cleared for Eurostar rival services from 2030

Goldman Sach bosses said that US stocks were increasingly less preferable than those in the UK and Europe.

Tech

Goldman and Intel lead $400m round that lifts Higgsfield to $5.4bn

Every Lidl helps: Tesco looses appeal in the supermarket logos dispute

Retail

Aldi chief backs crackdown on supermarket loyalty discounts

Robert Jenrick speaking at a podium with BRITAIN NEEDS REFORM sign, delivering a speech.

Politics

Reform UK proposes £50bn annual cut to disability benefits, sparking political firestorm

Giles Hurley, Aldi UK CEO, stands in a supermarket produce aisle with fresh fruits and vegetables.

Retail

Aldi chief backs government move against misleading supermarket discounts

Bloomsbury has reported results ahead of consensus expectations

Retail

Authors urge Burnham to extend rates relief to independent bookshops

Sir Keir Starmer's government has prioritised investment data centres as a major pillar of its plans to boost economic growth.

Tech

Ofgem flags grid bottleneck as new Heathrow data centre gets planning go‑ahead

Nowadays, headliners are less of a major part of the festival experience

Advisory

BKL expands music‑industry advisory arm with Dales Evans purchase

Andy Burnham speaking at a public event, emphasizing local governance and policy changes, wearing a suit and gesturing pas...

Economics

UK growth beats forecasts but war and tax clouds loom

Thoroughbred racehorses with jockeys galloping on a green track, blurred crowd in foreground

Sport

Thunder Call leads strong British challenge in Shergar Cup Sprint at Ascot

Jockey in green and dark green silks, wearing a green helmet, smiling with goggles around his neck

Sport

Shergar Cup finale puts World Pool betting to the test at Ascot

William Haggas, a man with gray hair and blue eyes, smiling and wearing a tan coat and patterned tie

Sport

Shergar Cup launches World Pool betting as Ascot welcomes Hong Kong team

Market BriefingAs of 12:50 BST

European markets at a glance

FTSE 10010,725.01+0.04%

DAX26,248.88-0.34%

CAC 408,536.68-0.50%

STOXX 506,498.70-0.49%

Full market coverage →

UK & Ireland

Pickleball in Guildhall Yard last year as part of the launch of the London Sports Festival

Lead storyLondon Sports Festival brings pickleball to New Street Square in push to activate City spaces