23 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

25 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

26 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

30 h. ago Retail sales fall unexpectedly in October amid Budget hit to consumer confidence

Official figures showed retail sales by volume fell 1.1% during October, following an upwardly revised increase of 0.7% in September.

Economics

30 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

31 h. ago UK borrowing outstrips expectations and retail sales dive ahead of Budget

Last big data releases before Reeves’ tax rises next week underscore fragile state of economy

Economics

31 h. ago UK borrowing overshoots expectations and retail sales dive before Budget

Last big data releases before Reeves’ tax rises next week underscore fragile state of economy

Economics

31 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

32 h. ago UK government borrows higher than expected £17.4bn in October

Retail sales down for the month in indication of fragile state of the economy

Politics

1 week ago Dame Jilly Cooper's heartbreaking cause of death with children blindsided by tragedy

Riders author Jilly Cooper died unexpectedly at the age of 88 after a fall at home with her children left in 'complete shock'

Events

1 week ago Consumers cut spending waiting for punishing Budget measures to hit them in pocket

FOUR in ten Brits are adjusting their finances in anticipation of the Budget, new polling shows. Findings show around a third of people in this group are making cutbacks to reduce spending and another third are building up a savings cushion. It comes as Rachel Reeves has indicated that she will break her manifesto pledge...

Economics

2 w. ago Major UK retail giant in crisis after cyberattack sees huge sales collapse

Marks and Spencer saw its underlying pretax profits tumble 55.4% to 184.1 million pounds ($240 million) in the six months to Sept. 27, largely on the back of a 40% collapse in online home and fashion sales after it was forced to halt website orders

Events

3 w. ago House prices edge higher in October, says Nationwide as market remains 'resilient' in face of Budget tax hikes

House prices edged higher this month, according to the latest figures from Nationwide Building Society.

Economics

3 w. ago Cost of motoring surges under Labour as Chancellor Rachel Reeves rakes in extra £375million in VAT from cash

Figures show consumer spending on buying and running vehicles hit £78.3billion during the first six months of 2025.

Economics

3 w. ago News | GPE completes £250 million London office and retail sale

News | GPE completes £250 million London office and retail sale  CoStar

Economics

4 w. 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

4 w. 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

4 w. 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

4 w. ago UK retailers deliver surprise growth as tech sales buoyed by iPhone release

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the total volume of retail sales is estimated to have risen by 0.5% in September.

Economics

4 w. ago Brits stocking up on GOLD helps high street claw back ground ahead of grim Budget

Official figures showed retail sales surging 0.5 per cent in September, while the August increase was revised up to 0.6 per cent.

Politics