28 h. ago Oil price rises after Opec+ pauses oil output hikes amid glut fears – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as Opec+ pauses oil output hikes beyond December amid fears of a crude glutGood morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of business, the financial markets and the world economy.The oil price is rising after the world’s biggest oil producers agreed to pause their planned oil production hikes in the first months of next year, to assuage fears that the global market may become oversupplied with crude.“Sanctions on Russian producers have injected a new layer of uncertainty into supply forecasts, and the group knows that overproducing now could backfire later.”9am GMT: Eurozone manufacturing PMI for October9.30am GMT: UK manufacturing PMI for October9.30am GMT: UK public sector productivity statistics2.45pm GMT: US manufacturing PMI for October Continue reading...

Economics

3 d. ago Amazon shares surge as AI boom fuels cloud growth; Nvidia boss says selling chips in China is Trump’s call – as it happened

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsSouthern Water has ended its three month hosepipe ban that covered most of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.The water company, which told its customers that the River Test and River Itchen were at “critically low levels” in July, said it was able to lift the ban after wet weather in September and October.We’re incredibly grateful to our customers for their support and understanding during this challenging time.By working together, we’ve not only saved millions of litres of water each day, but also helped protect our precious chalk streams. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Amazon shares surge as AI boom fuels cloud growth; Nvidia boss says selling chips in China is Trump’s call – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsSouthern Water has ended its three month hosepipe ban that covered most of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.The water company, which told its customers that the River Test and River Itchen were at “critically low levels” in July, said it was able to lift the ban after wet weather in September and October.We’re incredibly grateful to our customers for their support and understanding during this challenging time.By working together, we’ve not only saved millions of litres of water each day, but also helped protect our precious chalk streams. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago FTSE 100 winning streak ends as WPP shares hit lowest level since 2008

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsOver in Germany, Puma has told investors this morning that it plans to cut more than 900 jobs in a turnaround plan under the new boss Arthur Hoeld.The sportswear brand said it will cut 900 roles by the end of next year as part of a plan to get back to growth by 2027.At the end of July, we stated that 2025 would be a year of reset. Since then, we have taken important steps to clean up Puma’s distribution, improve our cash management and reset our operational expenses. By expanding our cost efficiency programme, we are moving quickly to address challenges and make the business more efficient and resilient.I strongly believe the Puma brand has incredible potential with more than 77 years of history, one of the best product archives in the industry and huge credibility in many major sports. We have identified the areas in which we need to take decisive action and outlined our strategic priorities to become one global sports brand...

Events

5 d. ago Senate Democrats demand list of donors to $300m Trump ballroom

Letter warns White House of ‘blatant corruption’ risk from contributing companies with business before governmentUS politics live – latest updatesSenate Democrats, led by Adam Schiff of California, are calling for full disclosure on how Donald Trump’s planned White House ballroom is being financed.The effort follows the release of a donor list showing that wealthy individuals and corporations, many with business before the federal government, have contributed to the project. Democrats argue that without transparency, the financing of the ballroom could become a channel for improper influence within the administration. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Trump says he will cut fentanyl tariff on Chinese goods and expects ‘great deal’ with Xi – business live

Most Asian stock markets rally on trade deal optimism, ahead of expected US interest rate cutAston Martin has slashed £300m from its investment plans after the British sportscar maker reported a bigger than expected loss in the third quarter because of Donald Trump’s tariffs and weak demand in China.The carmaker said on Wednesday that losses before tax were £112m in the third quarter of 2025, a ninefold increase from £12m a year earlier.This year has been marked by significant macroeconomic headwinds, particularly the sustained impact of US tariffs and weak demand in China.Work is under way to review our future product cycle plan with the aim of optimising costs and capital investment while continuing to deliver innovative, class-leading products to meet customer demands and regulatory requirements. Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago British IT consultant who 'couldn't bear to live with non Muslims' so flew business class to Syria to fight for Islamist terrorists is jailed for nine years

Isa Giga (pictured), 32 from Hounslow in west London , devastated his family when he told them he was going to Birmingham but instead quit his job and travelled to Syria via Turkey in 2015.

Events

1 week ago Wall Street hits record highs after US inflation report fuels interest rate cut hopes – business live

US consumer prices rose by less than expected last month, as markets digest breakdown of trade talks with CanadaUS prices rose at a 3% annual rate in September, slightly beating forecastsNewsflash: Conditions appear to be improving in the UK economy this month.The latest poll of purchasing managers at British firms has found that growth is picking up after the lull in September, partly helped by the resumption of manufacturing at Jaguar Land Rover after its recent cyber attack.“October’s flash UK PMI survey brings hope that September was a low point for the economy from which business conditions are starting to improve.Output has picked up, with a particularly welcome return to growth for manufacturing for the first time in over a year accompanied by an upturn in demand for services, notably among consumers. Business confidence has also brightened slightly, job losses have moderated, and inflationary pressures are coming back to levels consistent with the Bank of England’s 2% target...

Economics

1 week ago Business conditions ‘starting to improve’ in UK economy as activity picks up – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsNewsflash: Conditions appear to be improving in the UK economy this month.The latest poll of purchasing managers at British firms has found that growth is picking up after the lull in September, partly helped by the resumption of manufacturing at Jaguar Land Rover after its recent cyber attack.“October’s flash UK PMI survey brings hope that September was a low point for the economy from which business conditions are starting to improve.Output has picked up, with a particularly welcome return to growth for manufacturing for the first time in over a year accompanied by an upturn in demand for services, notably among consumers. Business confidence has also brightened slightly, job losses have moderated, and inflationary pressures are coming back to levels consistent with the Bank of England’s 2% target. Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago Business condition ‘starting to improve’ in UK economy as activity picks up – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsNewsflash: Conditions appear to be improving in the UK economy this month.The latest poll of purchasing managers at British firms has found that growth is picking up after the lull in September, partly helped by the resumption of manufacturing at Jaguar Land Rover after its recent cyber attack.“October’s flash UK PMI survey brings hope that September was a low point for the economy from which business conditions are starting to improve.Output has picked up, with a particularly welcome return to growth for manufacturing for the first time in over a year accompanied by an upturn in demand for services, notably among consumers. Business confidence has also brightened slightly, job losses have moderated, and inflationary pressures are coming back to levels consistent with the Bank of England’s 2% target. Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago Volvo and VW say Dutch takeover of Chinese chipmaker could halt car factories

Japan also affected as manufacturers report Nexperia has warned them of possible supply problem Business live – latest updatesCar companies across Europe and Japan including Volvo, Honda and Nissan, have warned that the Dutch takeover of a Chinese-owned chip manufacturer could hit production at factories.Last week’s decision by the Netherlands government to take control of Nexperia has sent shock waves around the auto industry, which is already facing potential shortages in products such as magnets amid China’s latest restrictions on rare earths exports. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago UK manufacturers hit by largest drop in orders since 2020; FTSE 100 hits record high – business live

Shares in oil companies jump after US sanctions Russian energy firms, while manufacturers see weak prospects aheadYesterday’s weaker-than-expected UK inflation report has sparked chat that the Bank of England could cut interest rates sooner than expected.Deutsche Bank say there is now an “interesting debate” on whether there may be enough ammunition for the Bank’s monetary policy committee to cut borrowing costs as soon as its next meeting in early November.What’s the case for November? Relative to the Bank’s projections, growth has surprised to the downside, private sector AWE growth has surprised to the downside, unemployment has risen in line with Bank expectations, and inflation now sits a healthy amount below the Bank’s projections. Indeed, one could make the argument that the ingredients for a November rate cut are there.So, why not November? We think three things will be important for the MPC to see before dialling down restrictive policy again. One, the MPC may want to see s...

Economics

1 week ago UK manufacturers hit by largest drop in orders since 2020; FTSE 100 hits fresh record high – business live

Shares in oil companies jump after US sanctions Russian energy firms, while manufacturers see weak prospects aheadYesterday’s weaker-than-expected UK inflation report has sparked chat that the Bank of England could cut interest rates sooner than expected.Deutsche Bank say there is now an “interesting debate” on whether there may be enough ammunition for the Bank’s monetary policy committee to cut borrowing costs as soon as its next meeting in early November.What’s the case for November? Relative to the Bank’s projections, growth has surprised to the downside, private sector AWE growth has surprised to the downside, unemployment has risen in line with Bank expectations, and inflation now sits a healthy amount below the Bank’s projections. Indeed, one could make the argument that the ingredients for a November rate cut are there.So, why not November? We think three things will be important for the MPC to see before dialling down restrictive policy again. One, the MPC may want to see s...

Economics

1 week ago UK manufacturers hit by largest drop in orders since 2020; Oil price jumps after Rosneft and Lukoil sanctioned – business live

British manufacturers see the weakest prospects for orders since Covid-19 pandemic, CBI reports, after demand weakened in last three monthsYesterday’s weaker-than-expected UK inflation report has sparked chat that the Bank of England could cut interest rates sooner than expected.Deutsche Bank say there is now an “interesting debate” on whether there may be enough ammunition for the Bank’s monetary policy committee to cut borrowing costs as soon as its next meeting in early November.What’s the case for November? Relative to the Bank’s projections, growth has surprised to the downside, private sector AWE growth has surprised to the downside, unemployment has risen in line with Bank expectations, and inflation now sits a healthy amount below the Bank’s projections. Indeed, one could make the argument that the ingredients for a November rate cut are there.So, why not November? We think three things will be important for the MPC to see before dialling down restrictive policy again. One, ...

Economics

1 week ago FTSE 100 Live 23 October: Index near record, results boost for Rentokil and LSEG

Lloyds Banking Group and Unilever are among the companies in the spotlight amid a busy session for FTSE 100 updates.

Society

1 week ago FTSE 100 Live 23 October: Index higher as Rentokil and LSEG surge, Foxtons warns

Lloyds Banking Group and Unilever are among the companies in the spotlight amid a busy session for FTSE 100 updates.

Events

1 week ago FTSE 100 Live 23 October: Lloyds posts lower profit, Foxtons cuts guidance

Lloyds Banking Group and Unilever are among the companies in the spotlight amid a busy session for FTSE 100 updates.

Politics

1 week ago Oil price jumps after US sanctions Russia’s Rosneft and Lukoil; White House considers software curbs on China – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsThe oil price has jumped after the US has sanctioned Russia’s two largest oil companies to increase pressure on the Kremlin to negotiate an end to its war against Ukraine.The White House’s new measures against Rosneft and Lukoil are the US’s first sanctions against Russia since Trump’s return to office in January. All assets belonging to the two companies in the US have been frozen, and US companies and individuals will be barred from doing business with them. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago Work to link HS2 to west coast mainline to be delayed for four more years

Decision to extend pause on 18-mile stretch north of Birmingham part of ‘reset’ to troubled rail project• Business live – latest updatesWork to connect HS2 to the west coast mainline will be deferred for another four years as part of a “reset” of the troubled high-speed rail project.The work between Birmingham and Handsacre in Staffordshire was originally halted in early 2023 by the previous government to limit spending on HS2. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago FTSE 100 Live 22 October: Inflation surprise lifts stocks, Barclays rallies despite car loans redress

Rachel Reeves was handed a pre-Budget boost today as the rate of inflation unexpectedly remained unchanged at 3.8% in September.

Economics