5 h. ago Revealed: The shockingly high amount of time the average Brit spends scrolling on their phone every day

UK adults are now spending more time online than ever before, with the average Briton spending four and a half hours on their devices every day.

Events

12 h. ago Retail drags on FTSE as stocks drift ahead of US interest rate decision

In London, retailers were a soft feature after a report showed annual UK retail sales growth decelerated in November.

Politics

19 h. ago Britons' spending saw biggest drop since lockdown in November as retail sales withered

Shoppers pulled back on spending ahead of the Budget last month as fears of looming tax hikes resulted in a disappointing Black Friday sales period for retailers.

Economics

43 h. ago UK mortgage rates fall to lowest since September 2022; China’s trade surplus hits $1tn – business live

Trade data shows China’s exports topped forecasts in November, driven by a surge in shipments to non-US marketsBack in China, car sales have fallen for the second month running.Retail vehicle sales fell about 8% to 2.1 million units in November, according to data published by the China Passenger Car Association today. This shows a 22% slump in sales of gasoline cars, with new-energy vehicle sales rising 4.2% for the month.“Usually the trend at the end of the year is that the car market should get stronger and stronger from October. But the retail sales in November compared to previous years is unusual.”“Mortgage rates continue on the downward trend and November was particularly fruitful for fixed rate cuts.The re-pricing by lenders led to the average five-year fixed rate dropping below 5% for the first time in over two years and sits at its lowest point since before the ‘mini-Budget’ in September 2022, alongside its two-year counterpart. Continue reading...

Economics

6 d. ago US private employers unexpectedly shed 32,000 jobs in November in biggest drop since 2023

Small establishments lost 120,000 jobs last month, which economists attributed to tariffs on imports that have raised costs for businesses

Society

2 w. ago Amazon users urged to follow 5 rules this week as company shares urgent warning

Shoppers are being urged to beware of scammers impersonating the retail giant as it holds its Black Friday sale.

Events

2 w. ago Grim retail sales data fuels concerns about health of US economy

Consumer confidence drops to second-lowest level since pandemic as inflation lingers

Economics

2 w. ago Budget blues batter the High Street as confidence falls at fastest pace for 17 years

The Confederation of British Industry found confidence among shopkeepers and store chains has suffered the biggest drop since the financial crisis in 2008.

Politics

2 w. ago Falling stock markets and high shop prices push US consumer confidence down; bitcoin hits nine

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsShares are falling faster than wickets in Perth at the start of trading in London, as fears of an AI bubble rip through markets again.Following losses on Wall Street last night, the FTSE 100 share index has dropped by 104 points, or just over 1%, at the start of trading to 9423 points. That’s a one-month low.it’s been a truly remarkable 24 hours, with a sequence of moves that were almost impossible to predict .After the world’s largest company reported spectacular results, the stock was up around +5% by 3pm London time. It closed down -3.15%. The broader market followed a similar pattern: the S&P 500 initially climbed +1.93%, only to fade and close down -1.56% as doubts about AI valuations crept back in. That marked the biggest intra-day swing for the S&P since the six days of extreme market turmoil that followed the Liberation Day tariffs in early April. Adding to the negative backdrop for crypto were lingering quest...

Economics

2 w. ago Markets on track for worst week since April, and bitcoin hits nine

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsShares are falling faster than wickets in Perth at the start of trading in London, as fears of an AI bubble rip through markets again.Following losses on Wall Street last night, the FTSE 100 share index has dropped by 104 points, or just over 1%, at the start of trading to 9423 points. That’s a one-month low.it’s been a truly remarkable 24 hours, with a sequence of moves that were almost impossible to predict .After the world’s largest company reported spectacular results, the stock was up around +5% by 3pm London time. It closed down -3.15%. The broader market followed a similar pattern: the S&P 500 initially climbed +1.93%, only to fade and close down -1.56% as doubts about AI valuations crept back in. That marked the biggest intra-day swing for the S&P since the six days of extreme market turmoil that followed the Liberation Day tariffs in early April. Adding to the negative backdrop for crypto were lingering quest...

Events

2 w. ago Markets on track for worst week since April as AI bubble fears mount; UK borrowing exceeds forecasts in October – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsShares are falling faster than wickets in Perth at the start of trading in London, as fears of an AI bubble rip through markets again.Following losses on Wall Street last night, the FTSE 100 share index has dropped by 104 points, or just over 1%, at the start of trading to 9423 points. That’s a one-month low.it’s been a truly remarkable 24 hours, with a sequence of moves that were almost impossible to predict .After the world’s largest company reported spectacular results, the stock was up around +5% by 3pm London time. It closed down -3.15%. The broader market followed a similar pattern: the S&P 500 initially climbed +1.93%, only to fade and close down -1.56% as doubts about AI valuations crept back in. That marked the biggest intra-day swing for the S&P since the six days of extreme market turmoil that followed the Liberation Day tariffs in early April. Adding to the negative backdrop for crypto were lingering quest...

Economics

2 w. ago Retail sales fall unexpectedly in October amid Budget hit to consumer confidence

Official figures showed retail sales by volume fell 1.1% during October, following an upwardly revised increase of 0.7% in September.

Economics

2 w. ago FTSE 100 Live 21 November: Markets lower as Bitcoin slide continues, retail sales slump

The last major economic releases before the Budget today added to pressure on Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

Economics

2 w. ago UK borrowing outstrips expectations and retail sales dive ahead of Budget

Last big data releases before Reeves’ tax rises next week underscore fragile state of economy

Economics

2 w. ago UK borrowing overshoots expectations and retail sales dive before Budget

Last big data releases before Reeves’ tax rises next week underscore fragile state of economy

Economics

2 w. ago FTSE 100 Live 21 November: Index lower after US reverse, Bitcoin slide continues

The last major economic releases before the Budget today added to pressure on Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

Politics

2 w. ago UK government borrows higher than expected £17.4bn in October

Retail sales down for the month in indication of fragile state of the economy

Politics

2 w. ago Man, 39, appears in court charged with the manslaughter of tattoo artist during lockdown, as well as assault and coercive and controlling behaviour

Daniel Birtwistle is accused of killing Georgina Ward, a 24-year-old, from Dudley, West Midlands, during the second national lockdown in November 2020.

Events

last month Britons set to spend £4bn more this Black Friday despite scam fears

Spending is set to reach almost £14 billion over the sales event, e-commerce marketing platform Omnisend has predicted.

Economics

last month Warning as Britons prepare to spend £4 billion this Black Friday weekend

The sales event is a prime opportunity for cyber scammers to take advantage of consumers looking to bag a bargain

Economics