85 m. ago UK grocery watchdog investigating Amazon over alleged supplier payment delays; company insolvencies jump – business live

Groceries Code Adjudicator calls on suppliers to share their experiences of working with AmazonThe number of companies collapsing across England and Wales jumped last month, in a sign of the economic pressures hitting firms.There were 2,238 company insolvences in England and Wales during the month, which is 8% higher than in April and 15% more than in May 2024.“This latest rise in corporate insolvencies reflects the harsh reality many businesses face: fragile demand is not keeping pace with rising costs. Even the increasingly-likely prospect of rate cuts in August won’t do much to fix this – insolvency levels will remain elevated for the foreseeable future.“Sectors like hospitality are having a particularly challenging time in this environment, in no small part due to the impact on labour costs of April’s National Insurance and minimum wage increases. These businesses are now approaching what are some of their peak months and will be hoping for strong trading to bolster their resili...

Economics

5 h. ago Business news live: FTSE opens higher but retail sales fell sharply in May

Stock markets latest updates and business news on Friday

Economics

25 h. ago Interest rates – live: Bank of England holds rate amid oil and inflation concerns

Rate remains at 4.25 per cent as experts look to balance higher inflation with economic growth

Economics

27 h. ago UK interest rates expected to remain on hold; rate cuts in Norway, Switzerland and the Philippines – business live

Central bankers warn that trade war worries, and conflict in the Middle East, could hurt growthNewsflash: We have a third interest rate cut this morning!Norway’s central bank has surprised analysts by cutting its policy rate by a quarter of one percentage point, to 4.25%. The rate had been set at 4.5% since December 2023.“Inflation has declined since the monetary policy meeting in March, and the inflation outlook for the coming year indicates lower inflation than previously expected.A cautious normalisation of the policy rate will pave the way for inflation to return to target without restricting the economy more than necessary.”“The uncertainty surrounding the economic outlook is now greater than normal. If the economy takes a different path than currently envisaged, the policy rate path may be adjusted. But our objectives stand firm. We will finish the job and ensure that inflation is brought all the way back to 2 percent.”The Monetary Board also noted indications of a deceleratio...

Politics

28 h. ago Bank of England expected to leave interest rates on hold as Middle East conflict pushes up oil price – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as Switzerland and Philippines cut interest ratesNewsflash: We have a third interest rate cut this morning!Norway’s central bank has surprised analysts by cutting its policy rate by a quarter of one percentage point, to 4.25%. The rate had been set at 4.5% since December 2023.“Inflation has declined since the monetary policy meeting in March, and the inflation outlook for the coming year indicates lower inflation than previously expected.A cautious normalisation of the policy rate will pave the way for inflation to return to target without restricting the economy more than necessary.”“The uncertainty surrounding the economic outlook is now greater than normal. If the economy takes a different path than currently envisaged, the policy rate path may be adjusted. But our objectives stand firm. We will finish the job and ensure that inflation is brought all the way back to 2 percent.”The Monetary Board also noted indications of...

Economics

29 h. ago Bank of England expected to leave interest rates as Middle East conflict drives up oil price – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsEurope’s main stock markets have dropped at the start of trading.In London, the FTSE 100 index has lost 33 points, or 0.37%, to 8810 points. Mining stocks are among the fallers. Continue reading...

Economics

30 h. ago Interest rates – live: Bank of England to make latest decision after inflation higher than expected

Stock market reaction and business news from Thursday

Economics

52 h. ago Business news live: FTSE flat as inflation higher than expected before interest rates decision

Stock market reaction and business news from Wednesday

Economics

53 h. ago Business news live: UK inflation higher than expected before interest rates decision

Stock market reaction and business news from Wednesday

Economics

2 d. ago US retail sales fall and Americans turn cautious after spending early this year to beat tariffs

Retail sales fell sharply in May as consumers pulled back after a sharp increase in spending in March to get ahead of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs on nearly all imports

Economics

3 d. ago Business news live: FTSE 100 falls but oil shares rise after UK

Stock market reaction and business news from Tuesday

Politics

3 d. ago FTSE 100 closes near record high, and oil price falls, on reports Iran seeks talks with Israel – as it happened

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsMiddle East crisis live: Iran and Israel trade attacks amid reports Tehran could be seeking talksIran and Israel crisis: what does it mean for the price of oil?Over at the Paris Air Show, a row has broken out after four Israeli company stands at the trade fair were shut down.According to Reuters, French authorities ordered that the four stands should be closed for “displaying offensive weapons”, after not complying with an order from a French security agency to remove offensive or kinetic weapons from the stands.“This outrageous and unprecedented decision reeks of policy-driven and commercial considerations.“The French are hiding behind supposedly political considerations to exclude Israeli offensive weapons from an international exhibition - weapons that compete with French industries.” Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Business news live: FTSE 100 closes higher as airline share prices begin recovery over oil fears

Stock market reaction and business news from Monday

Society

4 d. ago Markets stabilise as investors fear ‘adverse shock’ from higher oil prices – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsOver at the Paris Air Show, a row has broken out after four Israeli company stands at the trade fair were shut down.According to Reuters, French authorities ordered that the four stands should be closed for “displaying offensive weapons”, after not complying with an order from a French security agency to remove offensive or kinetic weapons from the stands.“This outrageous and unprecedented decision reeks of policy-driven and commercial considerations.“The French are hiding behind supposedly political considerations to exclude Israeli offensive weapons from an international exhibition - weapons that compete with French industries.” Continue reading...

Economics

4 d. ago Business news live: BP share price continues rise as FTSE opens higher with investors cautious over Israel

Stock market reaction and business news from Monday

Economics

4 d. ago Oil price rise risks ‘adverse shock’ to global economy – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsThe FTSE 250 index of medium-sized companies is also rising this morning, up 38 points (+0.2%) at 21,212 points.Lender Metro Bank are the top riser, up 8.5%, after the Sunday Times reported that it had received a takeover approach from Pollen Street Capital. Continue reading...

Economics

7 d. ago Business news live: Oil prices surge at highest rate in years amid Israel

Stock market reaction and business news for Friday

Politics

7 d. ago Business news live: Oil prices surge after Israel attacks Iran, FTSE 100 falls after all time high

Stock market reaction and business news for Friday

Politics

7 d. ago Business news live: Oil prices surge after Israel attacks Iran, FTSE 100 drops after all time high

Stock market reaction and business news for Friday

Politics

7 d. ago UK’s FTSE 100 share index hits record closing high despite economy shrinking in April – business live

UK economy shrank by 0.3% in April, biggest fall since October 2023, as trade with the US slumped.. but FTSE 100 ends at new record closeFull story: UK economy shrinks by 0.3% as as exports hit by Trump trade warNicholas Hyett, Investment Manager at Wealth Club, blames “a cocktail of headwinds to growth” for the 0.3% fall in UK GDP in April.Hyett says:In the very short term the change to Stamp Duty rules have put the legal and property services on ice - with legal activities down 10.2% month-on-month.New barriers to trade with the US and changes to employment costs, from a higher living wage and increased national insurance contributions, are a longer term challenge.“The 0.3% m/m fall in real GDP in April supports our view that the strength in Q1 was unsustainable. This won’t prompt the Bank of England to cut interest rates next Thursday. But it is one more piece of news pointing to another cut in August.”We still expect the Bank Rate to be maintained at 4.25% in the June meeting, t...

Economics