58 h. ago HSBC says global trade shift poses ‘serious risks’ to economic growth

Executives at the bank said economic forecasts were more difficult to compile amid uncertainty.

Economics

3 d. ago Lloyds Banking Group shares fall as results disappoint: NatWest sees taxpayer stake cut

“Lloyds is the most exposed of the UK banks to Britain’s economy, which could present challenges if growth doesn’t pick up”

Economics

4 d. ago US economy shrinks in first quarter of Trump 2.0 amid sweeping tariffs

Drop comes amid a huge fall in consumer sentiment which in April dropped 32% to lowest level since 1990 recessionThe US economy shrank in the first three months of Donald Trump’s second term as the president sought to roll out an aggressive trade strategy, claiming that sweeping tariffs on the world would strengthen the US economy.Gross domestic product (GDP), a key measure of overall growth in the US economy, fell by 0.3% in the first quarter of the year, down from 2.4% in the last quarter of 2024. The contraction – the first since the start of 2022 – puts the US on the brink of a technical recession, defined by two quarters of negative growth. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. 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

4 d. ago Santander UK profits fall as bank lowers economic growth outlook

The UK bank said that ‘charges relating to changes to our branch network’ drove profits lower in recent months.

Economics

4 d. 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

4 d. ago UK house prices fall in April as stamp duty taxes rise, data shows

Month-on-month drop of 0.6% was below zero growth forecasted by economists, Nationwide says

Economics

4 d. 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

4 d. 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

4 d. ago Tariffs hit home for small US businesses that rely on Chinese imports

Growing worries that a trade war could suffocate a crucial driver of employment and economic growth

Economics

5 d. ago Reeves warned employment rights law has already led to hiring freeze and loss of business confidence

The chancellor has found herself under siege as two surveys of businesses reveal a loss of confidence

Events

6 d. ago Lidl to open 40 UK stores in £500 investment and Deliveroo takeover 'bid'

Watch the stories making today’s business headlines in under two minutes as Deliveroo targeted for takeover and Lidl plans £500m UK expansion. But despite the positive news, Business Editor Mark Morris fears an economic storm against the backdrop of this week’s mini-heatwave.

Economics

6 d. ago Lidl to open 40 UK stores in £500m investment and Deliveroo takeover 'bid'

Watch the stories making today’s business headlines in under two minutes as Deliveroo targeted for takeover and Lidl plans £500m UK expansion. But despite the positive news, Business Editor Mark Morris fears an economic storm against the backdrop of this week’s mini-heatwave.

Economics

7 d. ago The lessons slow lane UK can learn from small but fast growth Malta

Malta has an enduring and cross-partisan commitment to maintaining a business-friendly environment.

Politics

9 d. ago World's biggest investor BlackRock on asset buying spree in "undervalued" UK

Larry Fink gives Keir Starmer credit for prioritising economic growth

Economics

1 week ago IMF warns that trade tensions could test stability of world economy; Reeves ‘confident’ about US trade deal – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsDonald Trump’s tariffs will make it harder for Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s car division, Ineos Automotive, to reach its first profit.Ineos Automotive’s CEO, Lynn Calder, told Bloomberg that the US president’s 25% tariff on foreign cars will make it harder to hit the earnings target.“For sure, this last week has put a dent in that and, for sure, delayed it,”“We’re stubborn as mules. We’re not easy to knock down.”“With fieldwork completed just days after Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs, it is unsurprising that consumer expectations for the economy plummeted to a record low. The original tariff schedule, since reduced for most countries, was expected to reduce growth in the UK and elsewhere. Yet despite this economic pessimism, expectations of retail spending rose slightly as the prospect of Easter shopping drew closer.The state of the economy dropped significantly to -48 in April, down from -35 in March.Their personal financial...

Events

1 week ago A new deal with the EU is exactly what Britain needs. Here’s how Labour will achieve it | Nick Thomas

This isn’t about politics – it’s about pragmatism. Working with our allies will make British people safer, more secure and more prosperousLabour has been determined to negotiate a new partnership with the EU. The benefits it could unlock are clear – reducing barriers to trade, driving economic growth and keeping us safe in an increasingly dangerous world. It is the sensible, pragmatic thing to do. We want to put more money in the pockets of working people and provide Britain with long-term stability and security; we won’t be defined by debates and arguments of the past.We are equally confident in what the UK can offer in return. It is a politically stable country, and the government has a huge mandate, with more than four years left to deliver our policies. This stability has already inspired the confidence of businesses across the world, unlocking tens of billions of pounds of long-term investment. This month, Universal announced a multi-billion-pound investment for a new theme par...

Economics

1 week ago US trade war fears drive UK consumer confidence down to record low; Tesla’s European sales fall again – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsDonald Trump’s tariffs will make it harder for Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s car division, Ineos Automotive, to reach its first profit.Ineos Automotive’s CEO, Lynn Calder, told Bloomberg that the US president’s 25% tariff on foreign cars will make it harder to hit the earnings target.“For sure, this last week has put a dent in that and, for sure, delayed it,”“We’re stubborn as mules. We’re not easy to knock down.”“With fieldwork completed just days after Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs, it is unsurprising that consumer expectations for the economy plummeted to a record low. The original tariff schedule, since reduced for most countries, was expected to reduce growth in the UK and elsewhere. Yet despite this economic pessimism, expectations of retail spending rose slightly as the prospect of Easter shopping drew closer.The state of the economy dropped significantly to -48 in April, down from -35 in March.Their personal financial...

Economics

1 week ago Rachel Reeves is besieged on all sides and needs a dramatic intervention to save UK economy

As Rachel Reeves prepares for a career defining speech in Washington DC, political editor David Maddox looks at the competing forces turning her dreams of economic growth into a nightmare

Events

1 week ago Rachel Reeves warned she can't just blame Donald Trump's tariffs for faltering economy as IMF slashes its growth forecast for Britain

In a brutal verdict on Labour's economic record, it said domestic factors had played the 'biggest role' in its decision to downgrade its UK growth forecast.

Events