4 h. 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

6 h. 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

8 h. 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

9 h. ago Wetherspoon’s to open a pub in Spain – offering garlic prawns and beer from 6am

Opening in Alicante airport is the chain’s first move outside UK Business live – latest updatesWetherspoon’s is to open its first pub outside the UK, serving alcohol from 6am every day to sun-seeking Britons waiting for their plane in the departure lounge at Alicante airport.The opening in Spain, scheduled for January, will be the first foray on to foreign soil for the pub chain, which said it expects to pursue more footholds on the continent in the coming years. Continue reading...

Politics

12 h. 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

13 h. 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

31 h. ago US economy added more jobs than forecast in September, after shock losses in August – business live

US non-farm payrolls rose by 119,000 in September, but new data also shows economy shed jobs in AugustThe Chinese ministry of commerce has said the dispute over the supply of chips from Nexperia, the Dutch-based Chinese-owed company, is still not fully resolved.“There is still a gap to completely solve the problem,” the Chinese ministry of commerce (MOFCOM) said on Thursday.“Minister Karremans justified his actions by accusing Nexperia’s CEO of various acts of alleged mismanagement. Wingtech strongly rejects these accusations and points out that, to date, no proof has been provided,”The minimum is no additional cost for business. Every time costs go up, you’re making the case against investing in the UK.In the UK cost of energy is too high versus almost anywhere in the world. Continue reading...

Economics

32 h. ago Markets brace for US jobs report after Nvidia results reassure investors – business live

Investors cheer forecast-beating results from chipmaker, as attention turns to delayed US employment reportThe Chinese ministry of commerce has said the dispute over the supply of chips from Nexperia, the Dutch-based Chinese-owed company, is still not fully resolved.“There is still a gap to completely solve the problem,” the Chinese ministry of commerce (MOFCOM) said on Thursday.“Minister Karremans justified his actions by accusing Nexperia’s CEO of various acts of alleged mismanagement. Wingtech strongly rejects these accusations and points out that, to date, no proof has been provided,”The minimum is no additional cost for business. Every time costs go up, you’re making the case against investing in the UK.In the UK cost of energy is too high versus almost anywhere in the world. Continue reading...

Economics

35 h. ago FTSE 100 Live 20 November: Markets rally on Nvidia cheer, Games Workshop surges

Forecast-beating Nvidia results have changed the mood after a jittery run for global stock markets.

Economics

36 h. ago Markets rally after Nvidia’s strong results calm AI bubble fears, and investors await US jobs report – business live

Investors cheer forecast-beating results from chipmaker, as attention turns to delayed US employment reportThe Chinese ministry of commerce has said the dispute over the supply of chips from Nexperia, the Dutch-based Chinese-owed company, is still not fully resolved.“There is still a gap to completely solve the problem,” the Chinese ministry of commerce (MOFCOM) said on Thursday.“Minister Karremans justified his actions by accusing Nexperia’s CEO of various acts of alleged mismanagement. Wingtech strongly rejects these accusations and points out that, to date, no proof has been provided,”The minimum is no additional cost for business. Every time costs go up, you’re making the case against investing in the UK.In the UK cost of energy is too high versus almost anywhere in the world. Continue reading...

Economics

37 h. ago FTSE 100 Live 20 November: Markets rally on Nvidia earnings, Games Workshop surges

Forecast-beating Nvidia results have changed the mood after a jittery run for global stock markets.

Economics

60 h. ago FTSE 100 Live 19 November: Inflation dip fuels rate cut bets, WH Smith boss quits

Inflation fell to 3.6% last month as official figures today provided a pre-Budget boost for Rachel Reeves.

Economics

61 h. ago FTSE 100 Live 19 November: Inflation rate dips, WH Smith boss steps down

Inflation fell to 3.6% last month as official figures today provided a pre-Budget boost for Rachel Reeves.

Economics

3 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 18 November: Markets under pressure, Imperial strong run continues

Stock markets are under pressure amid ongoing jitters over Wall Street AI valuations.

Events

3 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 18 November: Index in red amid market jitters, Bitcoin extends fall

Stock markets are under pressure amid ongoing jitters over Wall Street AI valuations.

Politics

3 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 18 November: Index posts big fall, Bitcoin reverse continues

Stock markets are under pressure amid ongoing jitters over Wall Street AI valuations.

Politics

4 d. ago Japan and Switzerland’s economies contract as exports are hit by US tariffs; Alphabet shares jump after Warren Buffett reveals stake – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsChina travel warning for Japan sends shares in tourism and retail companies plungingAlthough WPP’s shares have slipped back a little (+3.7%), they’re still leading the FTSE 100 risers.AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould sums up the situation:“Executives at embattled advertising agency WPP have recently been snapping up shares in the company and it seems they may not be the only ones who see value in the business. There is speculation about a bid from French rival Havas and private equity firms reportedly looking to pick off bits of the business.“After years when it felt like WPP’s shares had been suffering a slow puncture, the tyre has burst in stock market terms for the company in 2025. This led to the departure of CEO Mark Read and investors in the US apparently being rallied by law firms for a class action lawsuit alleging they were misled about the state of the business.This better-than-expected performance was initial...

Economics

4 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 17 November: Asia tensions hit Burberry shares, Budget rumours warning

The FTSE 100 index is steady at the start of a big week of economic and corporate updates.

Events

4 d. ago Japan and Swizerland’s economies contract as exports are hit by US tariffs – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsA flurry of takeover speculation has driven shares in advertising group WPP higher at the start of trading in London.WPP’s shares are up 4.7%, leading the risers on the FTSE 100 share index, following reports that several potential suitors have considered a bid.It is not clear whether any formal bids for WPP will materialise. Bidders could seek to buy the company in its entirety, take large stakes in the business or attempt to pick off parts of the holding group.It is understood there have been talks at a high level inside Havas, which is led by [billionaire Vincent] Bolloré’s son Yannick, about the potential for a deal involving WPP. Continue reading...

Economics

4 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 17 November: Buildings supplier cuts guidance, house prices lower

The FTSE 100 index is lower at the start of a big week of economic and corporate updates.

Society