London markets rise as investors prepare to down tools for Christmas break December 23, 2021 London markets climbed today as investors prepare to down tools and clock off for the Christmas break. The capital’s premier FTSE 100 index closed up 0.43 per cent to reach 7,373.34 points, while the FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned to the health of the UK economy, rose 0.81 per cent to 23,266.75 points. [...]
US jobless claims hold below pre-pandemic levels as consumer spending jumps December 23, 2021 The number of Americans claiming unemployment benefits stayed below pre-pandemic levels in a sign the US economy is holding up well in the face of raging Covid-19 cases, reveal new figures published today. Weekly jobless claims were unchanged at 205,000, the US Labor Department said. Unemployment benefit claims tend to rise over the winter period. [...]
Markets bet on Bank of England hiking spree in 2022 December 23, 2021 Traders are ramping up bets on the Bank of England going a hiking spree this coming year. The Bank will look through economic risks posed by the Omicron variant of coronavirus and lift rates above one per cent by the end of 2022, the first time that level has been breached since 2009 in the [...]
Labour squeeze and soaring costs compound to hit UK businesses December 23, 2021 The ongoing labour squeeze, soaring costs and uncertainty over the economic landscape since the emergence of Omicron are compounding to hit British businesses, reveals a new survey published today. Growth among UK private sector firms slowed to 21 per cent in the three months to December, down sharply from 32 per cent in the last [...]
London markets shake off Omicron fears as investors brace for Christmas break December 22, 2021 London markets have shaken off fears over the Omicron variant’s impact on the UK’s economic recovery from the pandemic as investors brace for the Christmas break. The capital’s premier FTSE 100 index closed 0.61 per cent higher at 7,341.66 points, while the mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned to the health of the [...]
UK services trade surplus widens on strong City exports December 22, 2021 UK net exports of services jumped over the last three months driven by City firms selling their expertise abroad in their droves, according to official figures published today. The UK’s services trade surplus climbed £4bn over the last three months, rising to £35.2bn in the third quarter, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). [...]
Omicron, inflation and shortages compound to spike UK businesses December 22, 2021 A cocktail of Omicron, soaring inflation and ongoing worker shortages are spiking UK businesses, reveals a fresh study released today. Business confidence in the UK economy dipped nine percentage points over the last three months to minus six, according to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC). The emergence of the Omicron variant of coronavirus has [...]
London markets whipsaw on Omicron curbs uncertainty December 21, 2021 A whipsawing in the likelihood of fresh restrictions to curb the spread of Omicron being imposed in England is generating wild swings on London markets. The capital’s premier FTSE 100 index closed 1.38 per cent higher today to reach 7,297.41 points, while the mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned to the health of [...]
Former BT chief Du Plessis selected to take over as audit watchdog chair December 21, 2021 Jan du Plessis, the former Chairman of BT as well as a host of FTSE 100 companies, has been selected as chair of the UK's audit watchdog.
Omicron delivers ‘chilling’ blow to UK retail sales December 21, 2021 UK retail sales have slowed to a crawl driven by the emergence of Omicron chilling consumer confidence, according to new research published today. Retail sales growth slowed over the last year, rising eight per cent annually in December, down sharply from 39 per cent in November, according to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Brits [...]