2 h. ago Stock markets gain as China ‘evaluates’ offer of US trade talks – business live

Live, rolling coverage of business, economics and financial markets as FTSE 100 gains on hopes of US-China trade thaw; Shell profits drop 28% to $5.5bnCommodities companies are among the best performers on stock markets this morning.They would be among the best placed to benefit from the US backing down in its trade war with China. The FTSE 100 has a lot of Europe’s big mining listings, and they are leading the way on Friday. Continue reading...

Economics

3 h. ago Shell profits fall as big oil faces slump in prices; UK cuts NatWest stake below 2% – business live

Live, rolling coverage of business, economics and financial markets as FTSE 100 oil company profits drop 28% to $5.5bnStock markets have gained across Europe, as investors welcomed signs of a possible thaw in the trade war between the US and China.Germany’s Dax gained 1.2% in the early trades, while France’s Cac 40 was up 1.4% – after both were closed over the May Day bank holiday. The Stoxx 600 index, which tracks big companies across Europe, rose by 0.9%. The FTSE 100 was up 0.9%.“The US has recently taken the initiative on many occasions to convey information to China through relevant parties, saying it hopes to talk with China,” the statement said, adding that Beijing was “evaluating this”.“Attempting to use talks as a pretext to engage in coercion and extortion would not work,” it said.This optimism has continued overnight after China’s Ministry of Commerce said that it’s evaluating trade talks with the US. The ministry said this comes as “the US has recently sent messages to C...

Economics

6 h. ago Microsoft wins Big Tech’s first earnings battle since Trump’s tariffs

Apple and Amazon lose out as trade war threatens to hit hardware and ecommerce hardest

Politics

13 h. ago Amazon warns on trade war hit as profit outlook misses forecasts

Ecommerce giant says ‘tariff and trade policies’ pose a risk to its earnings

Events

24 h. ago Persimmon ‘mindful’ of trade war impact but says home sales on track

The housebuilder is forecasting a sharp jump in home sales this year, but said economic uncertainty could hit mortgages and spending eventually.

Events

27 h. ago Ship broking giant Clarksons issues profit warning as Trump's tariffs hit rates

FTSE 250 listed company says profits will be in the range of £85 million to £95 million

Events

36 h. ago FirstFT: Shein considers US restructuring as trade war threatens London IPO plans

FirstFT: Shein considers US restructuring as trade war threatens London IPO plans  Financial Times

Events

37 h. ago Aston Martin cuts US exports as tariffs batter car industry: Mercedes, Stellantis and VW also sound the alarm over Trump trade war turmoil

The car industry was rocked when Trump announced a 25% charge on vehicle and part imports in a bid to ramp up domestic manufacturing.

Events

37 h. ago Shares in social media giant Snap dive after it ditches forecasts due to Donald Trump's trade war

Snap, which owns photo messaging app Snapchat, stoked fears that advertisers are cutting spending because of tariffs.

Politics

38 h. ago Trump says kids may only get ‘2 dolls instead of 30’ due to possible toy shortage over trade war with China: Live updates

President tries to deflect blame to predecessor as new GDP figures show U.S. economy contracted for first time in three years

Politics

44 h. ago Trump blames Biden as US economy shrinks for first time in three years amid tariff fallout

President claims economic downturn has ‘NOTHING TO DO WITH TARIFFS’

Politics

45 h. ago U.S. economy shrinks for first time in three years as Trump’s tariffs spark trade war fears

The American economy shrank by 0.3 percent during the first quarter of this year, marking the first drop in three years as President Donald Trump’s tariff policies disrupted businesses and their supply chains.

Politics

46 h. ago US GDP report to show if economy expanded in last quarter, after eurozone growth accelerates – business live

First estimate of US GDP for Q1 2025 will show whether tariffs hurt growthUK house prices fall but market ‘likely to pick up’ during summerChina manufacturing activity plummets amid Trump tariff warFrance’s economy is likely to “flirt with stagnation” throughout the year, despite the small rebound in GDP in the last quarter, predicts Dutch bank ING.Charlotte de Montpellier, ING’s senior economist for France and Switzerland, explains:The additional customs duties in the US and their direct and indirect impact will delay the French economy’s rebound. We estimate that the direct effect of a permanent 10% import duty in the US on French GDP (via a reduction in exports) will be around -0.1%.Adding to this are the effects of uncertainty, the global economic slowdown and more restrictive fiscal policy, all of which will weigh on French economic activity throughout the year. The cooling in the labour market is likely to limit the recovery in household consumption, and the savings rate is se...

Economics

47 h. ago Shein explores US restructuring as tariffs threaten to derail London IPO

Fast-fashion company searches for workarounds as Trump’s trade war endangers operations in its most important market

Economics

48 h. ago Barclays profits surge 19 per cent as bank braces itself for global trade war

The UK banking giant increased provisions for loans expected to turn sour, largely driven by £74 million put by for ‘elevated US macroeconomic uncertainty’

Economics

49 h. ago France and Germany avoid recession as eurozone growth accelerates; Taiwan’s GDP boosted by pre

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, including growth figures from across EuropeUK house prices fall but market ‘likely to pick up’ during summerChina manufacturing activity plummets amid Trump tariff warFrance’s economy is likely to “flirt with stagnation” throughout the year, despite the small rebound in GDP in the last quarter, predicts Dutch bank ING.Charlotte de Montpellier, ING’s senior economist for France and Switzerland, explains:The additional customs duties in the US and their direct and indirect impact will delay the French economy’s rebound. We estimate that the direct effect of a permanent 10% import duty in the US on French GDP (via a reduction in exports) will be around -0.1%.Adding to this are the effects of uncertainty, the global economic slowdown and more restrictive fiscal policy, all of which will weigh on French economic activity throughout the year. The cooling in the labour market is likely to limit the recovery in household consumptio...

Politics

49 h. ago Europe saw stronger growth at start of year, but Trump's tariffs have darkened outlook

Europe’s economy has grown more strongly in the first three months of the year only to see hopes for an ongoing recovery quickly squelched by U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war

Politics

50 h. ago France and Germany avoid recession as economies return to growth; UK house prices drop – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, including growth figures from across EuropeUK house prices fall but market ‘likely to pick up’ during summerChina manufacturing activity plummets amid Trump tariff warFrance’s economy is likely to “flirt with stagnation” throughout the year, despite the small rebound in GDP in the last quarter, predicts Dutch bank ING.Charlotte de Montpellier, ING’s senior economist for France and Switzerland, explains:The additional customs duties in the US and their direct and indirect impact will delay the French economy’s rebound. We estimate that the direct effect of a permanent 10% import duty in the US on French GDP (via a reduction in exports) will be around -0.1%.Adding to this are the effects of uncertainty, the global economic slowdown and more restrictive fiscal policy, all of which will weigh on French economic activity throughout the year. The cooling in the labour market is likely to limit the recovery in household consumptio...

Economics

50 h. ago Readers give their verdict on Trump’s 100 days: ‘Extraordinary destruction’

The president promised an ‘extraordinary’ first 100 days in office but for many that has been true in all the wrong waysThe first 100 days of Donald Trump’s second term have polarized the United States and the world.Public opinion polls show the president’s approval rating is around 40% – having flipped from positive to negative since his inauguration. A vast majority of Americans are worried about a recession and how his trade war will affect the economy. Continue reading...

Politics

52 h. ago France avoids recession as economy returns to growth; UK house prices drop – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsChina manufacturing activity plummets amid Trump tariff warAverage UK house prices fell this month, lender Nationwide reports, after the rush to avoid an increase in stamp duty faded.According to Nationwide, house prices fell by 0.6% in April, with the average price dropping to £270,752 from £271,316 in March.Early indications suggest there was a significant jump in transactions in March, with buyers bringing forward their purchases to avoid additional tax obligations.“The market is likely to remain a little soft in the coming months, following the pattern typically observed following the end of stamp duty holidays. Nevertheless, activity is likely to pick up steadily as summer progresses, despite wider economic uncertainties in the global economy, since underlying conditions for potential home buyers in the UK remain supportive. Continue reading...

Economics