7 h. ago UK manufacturing downturn continues as new orders slide; Trump’s attack on Fed is ‘a serious danger’ – business live

Weak market conditions, US tariffs and downbeat client confidence blamed for drop in factory ordersOuch! The UK manufacturing sector shrank again last month, as factories were hit by weaker demand at home and abroad.The latest monthly poll of purchasing managers across Britain’s manufacturing sector found that new orders and new export business both fell at quicker rates in August, leading to another drop in production volumes.“Production volumes are still showing resilience in the face of global geopolitical uncertainty and US tariff policies, with both July and August having seen only slight contractions that were milder than those suffered earlier in the year. Business confidence has also lifted to a sixmonth high, reflecting hopes that the trading environment is starting to settle down.However, August also saw a steep drop in UK manufacturers’ new orders, with total order books and overseas demand both falling at some of the fastest rates seen over the past two years. Weak marke...

Politics

9 h. ago UK manufacturing downturn continues as new orders slide; Profits surge at Royal Mail – business live

Weak market conditions, US tariffs and downbeat client confidence blamed for drop in factory ordersOuch! The UK manufacturing sector shrank again last month, as factories were hit by weaker demand at home and abroad.The latest monthly poll of purchasing managers across Britain’s manufacturing sector found that new orders and new export business both fell at quicker rates in August, leading to another drop in production volumes.“Production volumes are still showing resilience in the face of global geopolitical uncertainty and US tariff policies, with both July and August having seen only slight contractions that were milder than those suffered earlier in the year. Business confidence has also lifted to a sixmonth high, reflecting hopes that the trading environment is starting to settle down.However, August also saw a steep drop in UK manufacturers’ new orders, with total order books and overseas demand both falling at some of the fastest rates seen over the past two years. Weak marke...

Economics

10 h. ago FTSE 100 Live 01 September: Defence stocks lift index, house price growth slows

Annual house price growth softened in August, building society Nationwide reported today.

Society

10 h. ago Profits surge at Royal Mail’s parent company after £3.6bn takeover by foreign owner – business live

Royal Mail returns to an underlying annual profit for the first time in three years despite a “competitive and challenging” backdropRoyal Mail’s parent company has posted a surge in profits, in its first financial results since being taken over by Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský.International Distribution Services (IDS) has reported that pre-tax profits jumped to £429m in the year to 30 March 2025, up from £114m the previous year.“It has been a year of change for IDS. Thanks to the hard work of our people and our investment in transformation, Royal Mail returned to profit for the first time in three years, marking an important milestone in the company’s turnaround.With IDS’s acquisition by EP Group complete and Universal Service reform decided now is the time for us to drive the business forward and capitalise on our momentum.This is in line with guidance and was achieved despite an increasingly competitive and challenging trading environment. Continue reading...

Economics

10 h. ago Factory activity shrinks as US tariffs bite; UK house prices drop – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsEuropean Central Bank president Christine Lagarde has weighed in on the crisis in France, saying that any risk of a government falling in the euro zone is “worrying”.Speaking to broadcaster Radio Classique, Lagarde said France is not currently in a situation that would need the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to intervene. Continue reading...

Economics

11 h. ago FTSE 100 Live 01 September: House price growth slows, Alibaba shares jump

Annual house price growth softened in August, building society Nationwide reported today.

Society

11 h. ago Business news live: UK house prices fall with ‘market ‘struggling’ after stamp duty change

Stock market news and latest business and finance updates from Monday

Economics

11 h. ago Factory activity shrinks as US tariffs bite; UK house price drop – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsNationwide also expects income growth to continues to outpace house price growth.That would mean that housing affordability should continue to improve, if gradually.Borrowing costs are likely to moderate a little further if Bank Rate is lowered again in the coming quarters.This should support buyer demand, especially since household balance sheets are strong and labour market conditions are expected to remain solid. Continue reading...

Economics

39 h. ago China's factory activity contracts in August despite extension of trade truce with US

China's factory activity contracted in August, marking five consecutive months of decline

Events

3 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 29 August: Tax raid fears hit banking shares, US inflation data in focus

FTSE 100 banking stocks are under pressure after a think tank urged Rachel Reeves to consider tax raid on major firms such as Barclays, Lloyds and NatWest.

Economics

3 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 29 August: Banking stocks hit by levy fears, US inflation data in focus

Banking stocks are under pressure after a think tank urged Rachel Reeves to consider hiking a windfall tax on major firms such as Barclays, Lloyds and NatWest.

Economics

3 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 29 August: Call for bank levy, US inflation data in focus

Stock market sentiment will be tested later when figures in the US show the impact of tariffs on the prices of goods and services.

Economics

4 d. ago Liz Truss warns there is ‘a reckoning coming’ for central banks, and backs Trump in Fed battle; US growth revised higher amid AI boom – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as former PM criticises Bank of England and claims UK faces ‘economic doom loop’People in the UK: how have you been affected by the rise in food prices?The FCA’s investigation into Drax comes five months after the company’s former top lobbyist accused it of “misleading the public, government and its regulator” over its sourcing of wood for biomass pellets.In a claim for unfair dismissal, Rowaa Ahmar, Drax’s former head of public affairs, said evidence suggested Drax was “unable to prove that it only sourced sustainable wood for its biomass, and that it was in fact using unsustainable wood”. Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago Business news live: Nvidia share price falls despite ‘monster’ profits as ‘politics has got in the way’

Stock market news and latest business and finance updates from Thursday

Economics

4 d. ago Liz Truss warns there is ‘a reckoning coming’ for central banks, and backs Trump in battle with Fed – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as former PM criticises Bank of England and claims UK faces ‘economic doom loop’People in the UK: how have you been affected by the rise in food prices?The FCA’s investigation into Drax comes five months after the company’s former top lobbyist accused it of “misleading the public, government and its regulator” over its sourcing of wood for biomass pellets.In a claim for unfair dismissal, Rowaa Ahmar, Drax’s former head of public affairs, said evidence suggested Drax was “unable to prove that it only sourced sustainable wood for its biomass, and that it was in fact using unsustainable wood”. Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 28 August: Cool reaction to Nvidia results, Drax falls on FCA probe

Nvidia results are the main focus for investors after the chip giant’s quarterly figures beat expectations but shares still fell.

Politics

4 d. ago BaByliss hair straighteners drop to lowest ever price in huge Amazon deal

These BaByliss straighteners have never been cheaper – and Amazon shoppers are snapping them up fast in this limited-time deal.

Economics

4 d. ago Business news live: The companies looking to buy Costa Coffee, FTSE 100 reacts to Nvidia’s share price fall

Stock market news and latest business and finance updates from Thursday

Economics

4 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 28 August: Nvidia shares fall on results, index higher

Nvidia results are the main focus for stock market investors after the chip giant’s quarterly figures beat expectations but shares still fell.

Politics

4 d. ago Tesla sales fell 40% across Europe in July; Drax shares tumble 10% after FCA launches investigation – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsShares in power generator Drax have tumbled by 10% after it revealed this morning it is being investigated by the City watchdog.Traders drove Drax’s share price down to 630p in early London trading, down from 703.5p last night, following the news that the FCA is probing whether its recent annual reports comply with UK Listing Rules.Meanwhile, possible electricity rate adjustments and higher rice tariffs could raise inflationary pressures over the policy horizon. The Monetary Board observed that domestic demand has held firm. However, the impact of US policies on global trade and investment continue to weigh on global economic activity. This could temper the outlook for the Philippine economy. Continue reading...

Economics