15 h. ago Eleven central bank chiefs defend Fed’s Jerome Powell over DoJ investigation; oil hits two

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as Trump says countries doing business with Iran face 25% tariff on US tradeGlobal central bank officials are reportedly planning to release a coordinated statement of support for US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, after America’s top central banker was threatened with a criminal indictment.Reuters is reporting that the statement, which is expected to contain the signatures of central bankers from around the world, will back Powell and stress the need for independent central banking. Continue reading...

Events

15 h. ago FTSE 100 Live 13 January: Whitbread rallies, Games Workshop posts record profit

Housebuilder Persimmon and Premier Inn owner Whitbread are in the spotlight after publishing trading updates today.

Economics

16 h. ago Trump warns of ‘complete mess’ if supreme court rejects tariffs

US president speaks after saying that any country that does business with Iran will face 25% levy on trade with USBusiness live – latest updatesDonald Trump has said “it would be a complete mess” if the US supreme court were to strike down his global trade tariffs.In a lengthy post on social media, the US president said “WE’RE SCREWED” if the supreme court rules against the tariffs, before the decision, which could come as soon as Wednesday. It is a crucial legal test of his controversial economic strategy and his power. Continue reading...

Events

17 h. ago FTSE 100 Live 13 January: Persimmon and Whitbread post updates, Nikkei surges

Housebuilder Persimmon and Premier Inn owner Whitbread are in the spotlight after publishing trading updates today.

Events

17 h. ago FTSE 100 Live 13 January: Persimmon and Whitbread posts updates, Nikkei surges

Housebuilder Persimmon and Premier Inn owner Whitbread are in the spotlight after publishing trading updates today.

Events

39 h. ago Criminal investigation into Fed chair Powell has ‘reinforced’ concerns over independence, Goldman Sachs warns – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsJustice department opens investigation into Jerome Powell as Trump ramps up campaign against Federal ReserveIn the UK property sector, a higher proportion of homes in London were sold at a loss than any other region in England and Wales last year.Estate agency Hamptons has reported that nearly 15% of London sellers sold for less in 2025 than they originally paid, almost double the national average of 8.7%.Last year, the average homeowner in England & Wales sold for £91,260 more than they paid, a value increase of 41.0% over an average holding period of 9.0 years. This is £570 less than the 2024 average of £91,830.Stronger recent price growth in Northern regions has boosted returns, meaning many sellers in the North of England achieved proportionally higher gains than those in much of the South.Flat sellers were four times more likely to make a loss than house sellers in England & Wales (19.9% vs 4.5%). Continue readin...

Events

40 h. ago FTSE 100 Live 12 January: Gold hits new record, Barclays shares under pressure

Geopolitics and questions over US Federal Reserve independence today drove gold to yet another record price.

Events

41 h. ago FTSE 100 Live 12 January: Gold in demand, British Land CEO to step down

Geopolitics and questions over US Federal Reserve independence today drove gold to yet another record price.

Politics

43 h. ago Dollar weakens after US prosecutors launch criminal investigation into Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsJustice department opens investigation into Jerome Powell as Trump ramps up campaign against Federal ReserveGold has hit a new high around $4.600 an ounce; it’s up over 1.5% today, pushed up by the weaker dollar.The US dollar has dropped on the foreign exchange markets since news of the investigation into Powell hit the wires.Powell highlighted that the key issue is whether the Fed can continue setting interest rates based on economic data and evidence, or whether monetary policy will be directed by political pressure.I’m afraid we may be moving toward the second scenario. If the Fed becomes a political tool, with its chair replaced by a government puppet, that could further weaken appetite for the U.S. dollar and U.S. bonds. Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 09 January: Glencore surges on Rio Tinto talks, Sainsbury’s under pressure

FTSE 100-listed Rio Tinto and Glencore are at the centre of M&A speculation after they confirmed talks over a plan to create the world’s largest mining company.

Events

4 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 09 January: Rio and Glencore in merger talks, Sainsbury’s update

FTSE 100-listed Rio Tinto and Glencore are at the centre of M&A speculation after they confirmed talks over a plan to create the world’s largest mining company.

Politics

5 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 08 January: Primark owner slides on guidance cut, M&S and BAE Systems rally

Retail giants Primark, Tesco and Marks & Spencer today revealed mixed fortunes on Christmas trading.

Politics

5 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 08 January: Primark warning, Tesco shares fall despite festive upgrade

Retail giants Primark, Tesco and Marks & Spencer today revealed mixed fortunes on Christmas trading.

Events

5 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 08 January: Primark warning, Tesco and M&S issue festive updates

Retail giants Primark, Tesco and Marks & Spencer today revealed mixed fortunes on Christmas trading.

Events

6 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 07 January: Index record run on hold, oil and mining stocks fall

The new year rally of the FTSE 100 index has softened following last night’s latest record close.

Politics

6 d. ago Oil price falls after Trump says Venezuela will send supply to US – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as Brent crude drops back to $60 a barrelVenezuela ‘turning over’ $2bn in oil to US, Trump says, in move that could cut supply to ChinaDonald Trump’s “gunboat diplomacy” in Venezuela shows that securing access to critical natural resources such as oil is now a key priority for Washington, say analysts at Unicredit.They point out, in a note to clients, that the toppling of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro marked a decisive break with the rules‑based international order, ushering in a more assertive, America‑First form of hegemony across the western hemisphere.Given that China was the main buyer of smuggled Venezuelan oil and is Caracas’s principal creditor, the move is clearly intended to send a strong signal to Beijing, which has ambitious plans in South America, particularly in resource‑rich countries such as Peru.In 2023, China and Venezuela formalised an “all‑weather strategic partnership”. Beijing also used oil trade...

Politics

6 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 07 January: Index record run on hold, oil price under pressure

The new year rally of the FTSE 100 index has softened following last night’s latest record close.

Events

7 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 06 January: Index sets new record, Next and supermarkets rally

A boost to Next profit guidance today marked a strong start to the retail sector’s Christmas reporting season.

Politics

7 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 06 January: Index sets new record, Next surges on festive upgrade

A boost to Next profit guidance today marked a strong start to the retail sector’s Christmas reporting season.

Politics

7 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 06 January: Next profit cheer, index builds on record close

A boost to Next profit guidance today marked a strong start to the retail sector’s Christmas reporting season.

Politics