Morning Wire — business, markets & finance

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

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Donald Trump speaking emphatically at a podium, wearing a navy suit and blue tie, with a microphone and lights visible.

FTSE 100 Live

Oil spikes above $91 as Trump ends US‑Iran ceasefire, shaking the FTSE 100

Aviva's deal to buy Direct Line was agreed in March

Insurance

How Amanda Blanc turned Aviva around and what lies ahead

Tesco quiche, cured meats, olives, and dip on a wooden board, ready for a party or meal.

Retail

Heatwave drives UK shoppers to grab more chilled finger foods

Redhead woman excitedly biting into a piece of KFC fried chicken dipped in green sauce.

Retail

Youth joblessness fuels a boom in UK chicken shops

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

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 22:50 BST

European markets at a glance

FTSE 10010,728.04+0.07%

DAX26,128.36-0.80%

CAC 408,509.36-0.82%

STOXX 506,468.17-0.95%

Full market coverage →

Germany

How to find free outdoor fitness classes in Germany

Lead storyHow to tap free outdoor fitness classes across Germany

France

Clamping down: China tightens exit rules

Lead storyChina tightens exit rules, bans up to three years

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