3 h. ago Bitcoin slides below $90,000 amid crypto selloff; Tesla sales almost halve across Europe – business live

Bitcoin has tumbled below $90,000 to hit the lowest since mid-November, as rising volatility hits crypto marketFull story: Tesla sales almost halve in Europe as Musk faces criticism over Trump tiesSeveral UK charities are warning that this morning’s rise in the energy price cap (which covers England, Wales and Scotland) will hurt struggling householdssThe Centre for Ageing Better is concerned that millions of older people already struggling on low incomes will be put into even greater difficulty with increasing energy costs, having already lost their winter fuel payments last year.“It is so dispiriting to learn that bill payers must brace for another substantial increase to energy prices from April. For those living on the breadline, desperately struggling to meet the basic costs of everyday living, this will be heartbreaking news.There are millions of older people who no longer qualify for winter fuel payments who live on paltry incomes that do not even cover the basics of a dignif...

Economics

4 h. ago Tesla sales almost halve in Europe as Musk faces criticism over Trump ties

Tech billionaire, a close adviser to the US president, is a vocal supporter of Germany’s far-right AfD partyBusiness live – latest updatesSales of new Tesla cars almost halved in Europe last month, indicating waning demand for the US carmaker’s vehicles as its chief executive Elon Musk intervened repeatedly in the politics on both sides of the Atlantic.The Texas-based carmaker sold 9,945 vehicles in Europe in January, down 45% from last year’s 18,161, according to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA). Tesla’s share of the market dropped to 1% from 1.8%. Continue reading...

Politics

5 h. ago FTSE 100 Live 25 February: Unilever CEO in surprise exit, Bitcoin price fall continues

A change at the top of Hellmann’s and Knorr business Unilever today wrongfooted the City.

Economics

6 h. ago FTSE 100 Live 25 February: Unilever CEO leaves, Smith & Nephew results boost shares

A change at the top of Hellmann’s and Knorr business Unilever today wrongfooted the City.

Politics

26 h. ago Apple cheers Trump with $500bn US investment plan; UK defence firm Chemring ‘targeted’ by private equity firm – business live

One of the world’s largest private equity investors has made an approach to buy Chemring, the FTSE 250 defence group, Sky News reportsGerman election live: Merz says priority is to make Europe independent from US on defence as coalition talks to beginShares in some European weapons makers are rising in early trading too.German tank maker Rheinmetall jumped 3% at the start of trading, while in London BAE Systems are up 1.7%.‘’A dose of more certainty has been injected into European politics, with the Germany’s Conservatives winning the elections. It comes at a crucial time for the continent. Three years on from the invasion of Ukraine, high stakes deal making between the US and Russia continues, Ukraine is out in the cold and the outcome will have huge implications for security in Europe.There is a dawning realisation that European nations will have to pull together and present a more united deterrent force, and Friedrich Merz, the CDU leader, is reading from that script. He has pled...

Economics

27 h. ago UK defence firm Chemring ‘targeted’ by private equity firm Bain Capital– business live

One of the world’s largest private equity investors has made an approach to buy Chemring, the FTSE 250 defence group, Sky News reportsGerman election live: Merz says priority is to make Europe independent from US on defence as coalition talks to beginShares in some European weapons makers are rising in early trading too.German tank maker Rheinmetall jumped 3% at the start of trading, while in London BAE Systems are up 1.7%.‘’A dose of more certainty has been injected into European politics, with the Germany’s Conservatives winning the elections. It comes at a crucial time for the continent. Three years on from the invasion of Ukraine, high stakes deal making between the US and Russia continues, Ukraine is out in the cold and the outcome will have huge implications for security in Europe.There is a dawning realisation that European nations will have to pull together and present a more united deterrent force, and Friedrich Merz, the CDU leader, is reading from that script. He has pled...

Economics

29 h. ago Deutsche Bank boss calls for ‘fundamental reforms’ from next government, as German business confidence stagnates – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as euro rallies and DAX and MDAX indices rise in early tradingGerman election live: Merz says priority is to make Europe independent from US on defence as coalition talks to beginShares in some European weapons makers are rising in early trading too.German tank maker Rheinmetall jumped 3% at the start of trading, while in London BAE Systems are up 1.7%.‘’A dose of more certainty has been injected into European politics, with the Germany’s Conservatives winning the elections. It comes at a crucial time for the continent. Three years on from the invasion of Ukraine, high stakes deal making between the US and Russia continues, Ukraine is out in the cold and the outcome will have huge implications for security in Europe.There is a dawning realisation that European nations will have to pull together and present a more united deterrent force, and Friedrich Merz, the CDU leader, is reading from that script. He has pledged to relax...

Economics

30 h. ago FTSE 100 Live 24 February: Just Eat backs £3.4bn takeover, B&M profit downgrade as boss quits

Just Eat Takeaway.com is set to be bought by a Dutch technology investor in a deal worth around £3.4 billion.

Economics

4 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 21 February: Firms shed jobs at fastest rate since 2020, four banks fined £100m

Private sector firms are shedding staff at the fastest rate since the pandemic, new figures showed today.

Economics

4 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 21 February: Firms cut jobs at fastest rate since 2020, banks fined £100m

Four leading City banks were today fined more than £100 million for unlawfully sharing market sensitive information about the pricing of UK bonds.

Economics

4 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 21 February: Four banks handed £100m chat rooms fine, retail sales rebound

Four leading City banks were today fined more than £100 million for unlawfully sharing market sensitive information about the pricing of UK bonds.

Economics

4 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 21 February: Four City banks given £100m chat rooms fine, retail sales rebound

Four leading City banks were today fined more than £100 million for unlawfully sharing market sensitive information about the pricing of UK bonds.

Economics

5 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 20 February: Centrica and Lloyds shares rally on results, miner cuts De Beers value

Annual results today fuelled strong share price performances by widely-held Centrica and Lloyds Banking Group.

Politics

5 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 20 February: Lloyds rallies despite £700m provision, Centrica lifts dividend and buyback

Annual results today fuelled strong share price performances by widely-held Centrica and Lloyds Banking Group.

Economics

6 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 19 February: Glencore and airline stocks fall, BAE and HSBC in results spotlight

A jump in UK inflation to a 10-month high of 3% today dealt a blow to hopes of early further interest rate cuts.

Society

6 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 19 February: BAE Systems and HSBC in results spotlight, inflation setback

A jump in UK inflation to a 10-month high of 3% today dealt a blow to hopes of early further interest rate cuts.

Economics

7 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 18 February: BT downgrade hits shares, wage growth accelerates

An acceleration in wage growth today dealt a setback to hopes for faster cuts in interest rates.

Events

7 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 18 February: Wage growth accelerates, InterContinental buys Ruby chain

An acceleration in wage growth today dealt a setback to hopes for faster cuts in interest rates.

Politics

7 d. ago European defence stocks rise by €18bn to record high ahead of Ukraine peace talks – business live

Shares in BAE Systems, Rheinmetall and Saab soar, as Keir Starmer offers to put British ‘boots on the ground’ in UkraineUK firms mull biggest layoffs in a decade as business confidence slumpsHere’s Bloomberg on the jump in Rheinmetall’s share price this morning:Rheinmetall AG’s shares surged the most in more than two years as European officials contemplate a major new package to increase defense spending and support for Ukraine.The German manufacturer’s stock rose as much as 11% in Frankfurt. The shares have more than doubled over the past year as military orders increased, especially from Germany. If Europe moves to increase spending further, it could push Rheinmetall to accelerate plans to increase its production capacity. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago European defence stocks soar by £10bn ahead of Ukraine peace talks – business live

Shares in BAE Systems, Rheinmetall and Saab soar, as Keir Starmer offers to put British ‘boots on the ground’ in UkraineUK firms mull biggest layoffs in a decade as business confidence slumpsHere’s Bloomberg on the jump in Rheinmetall’s share price this morning:Rheinmetall AG’s shares surged the most in more than two years as European officials contemplate a major new package to increase defense spending and support for Ukraine.The German manufacturer’s stock rose as much as 11% in Frankfurt. The shares have more than doubled over the past year as military orders increased, especially from Germany. If Europe moves to increase spending further, it could push Rheinmetall to accelerate plans to increase its production capacity. Continue reading...

Economics