2 h. ago Apple cheers Trump with $500bn US investment plan; UK defence firm Chemring ‘targeted’ by private equity firm – business live

One of the world’s largest private equity investors has made an approach to buy Chemring, the FTSE 250 defence group, Sky News reportsGerman election live: Merz says priority is to make Europe independent from US on defence as coalition talks to beginShares in some European weapons makers are rising in early trading too.German tank maker Rheinmetall jumped 3% at the start of trading, while in London BAE Systems are up 1.7%.‘’A dose of more certainty has been injected into European politics, with the Germany’s Conservatives winning the elections. It comes at a crucial time for the continent. Three years on from the invasion of Ukraine, high stakes deal making between the US and Russia continues, Ukraine is out in the cold and the outcome will have huge implications for security in Europe.There is a dawning realisation that European nations will have to pull together and present a more united deterrent force, and Friedrich Merz, the CDU leader, is reading from that script. He has pled...

Economics

4 h. ago UK defence firm Chemring ‘targeted’ by private equity firm Bain Capital– business live

One of the world’s largest private equity investors has made an approach to buy Chemring, the FTSE 250 defence group, Sky News reportsGerman election live: Merz says priority is to make Europe independent from US on defence as coalition talks to beginShares in some European weapons makers are rising in early trading too.German tank maker Rheinmetall jumped 3% at the start of trading, while in London BAE Systems are up 1.7%.‘’A dose of more certainty has been injected into European politics, with the Germany’s Conservatives winning the elections. It comes at a crucial time for the continent. Three years on from the invasion of Ukraine, high stakes deal making between the US and Russia continues, Ukraine is out in the cold and the outcome will have huge implications for security in Europe.There is a dawning realisation that European nations will have to pull together and present a more united deterrent force, and Friedrich Merz, the CDU leader, is reading from that script. He has pled...

Economics

6 h. ago Deutsche Bank boss calls for ‘fundamental reforms’ from next government, as German business confidence stagnates – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as euro rallies and DAX and MDAX indices rise in early tradingGerman election live: Merz says priority is to make Europe independent from US on defence as coalition talks to beginShares in some European weapons makers are rising in early trading too.German tank maker Rheinmetall jumped 3% at the start of trading, while in London BAE Systems are up 1.7%.‘’A dose of more certainty has been injected into European politics, with the Germany’s Conservatives winning the elections. It comes at a crucial time for the continent. Three years on from the invasion of Ukraine, high stakes deal making between the US and Russia continues, Ukraine is out in the cold and the outcome will have huge implications for security in Europe.There is a dawning realisation that European nations will have to pull together and present a more united deterrent force, and Friedrich Merz, the CDU leader, is reading from that script. He has pledged to relax...

Economics

7 h. ago FTSE 100 Live 24 February: Just Eat backs £3.4bn takeover, B&M profit downgrade as boss quits

Just Eat Takeaway.com is set to be bought by a Dutch technology investor in a deal worth around £3.4 billion.

Economics

3 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 21 February: Firms shed jobs at fastest rate since 2020, four banks fined £100m

Private sector firms are shedding staff at the fastest rate since the pandemic, new figures showed today.

Economics

3 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 21 February: Firms cut jobs at fastest rate since 2020, banks fined £100m

Four leading City banks were today fined more than £100 million for unlawfully sharing market sensitive information about the pricing of UK bonds.

Economics

3 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 21 February: Four banks handed £100m chat rooms fine, retail sales rebound

Four leading City banks were today fined more than £100 million for unlawfully sharing market sensitive information about the pricing of UK bonds.

Economics

3 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 21 February: Four City banks given £100m chat rooms fine, retail sales rebound

Four leading City banks were today fined more than £100 million for unlawfully sharing market sensitive information about the pricing of UK bonds.

Economics

4 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 20 February: Centrica and Lloyds shares rally on results, miner cuts De Beers value

Annual results today fuelled strong share price performances by widely-held Centrica and Lloyds Banking Group.

Politics

4 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 20 February: Lloyds rallies despite £700m provision, Centrica lifts dividend and buyback

Annual results today fuelled strong share price performances by widely-held Centrica and Lloyds Banking Group.

Economics

4 d. ago Scotland Rich List 2025: Ian Wood and Donald Mackenzie named by Forbes as richest billionaires from Scotland

From oil services to private equity, Scottish billionaires have built global empires 🌍

Politics

5 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 19 February: Glencore and airline stocks fall, BAE and HSBC in results spotlight

A jump in UK inflation to a 10-month high of 3% today dealt a blow to hopes of early further interest rate cuts.

Society

5 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 19 February: BAE Systems and HSBC in results spotlight, inflation setback

A jump in UK inflation to a 10-month high of 3% today dealt a blow to hopes of early further interest rate cuts.

Economics

6 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 18 February: BT downgrade hits shares, wage growth accelerates

An acceleration in wage growth today dealt a setback to hopes for faster cuts in interest rates.

Events

6 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 18 February: Wage growth accelerates, InterContinental buys Ruby chain

An acceleration in wage growth today dealt a setback to hopes for faster cuts in interest rates.

Politics

6 d. ago European defence stocks rise by €18bn to record high ahead of Ukraine peace talks – business live

Shares in BAE Systems, Rheinmetall and Saab soar, as Keir Starmer offers to put British ‘boots on the ground’ in UkraineUK firms mull biggest layoffs in a decade as business confidence slumpsHere’s Bloomberg on the jump in Rheinmetall’s share price this morning:Rheinmetall AG’s shares surged the most in more than two years as European officials contemplate a major new package to increase defense spending and support for Ukraine.The German manufacturer’s stock rose as much as 11% in Frankfurt. The shares have more than doubled over the past year as military orders increased, especially from Germany. If Europe moves to increase spending further, it could push Rheinmetall to accelerate plans to increase its production capacity. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Gordon Ramsay merges restaurant arms as private equity firm invests

The chef said the deal will help him to expand further internationally and create more partnerships across the group.

Economics

7 d. ago European defence stocks soar by £10bn ahead of Ukraine peace talks – business live

Shares in BAE Systems, Rheinmetall and Saab soar, as Keir Starmer offers to put British ‘boots on the ground’ in UkraineUK firms mull biggest layoffs in a decade as business confidence slumpsHere’s Bloomberg on the jump in Rheinmetall’s share price this morning:Rheinmetall AG’s shares surged the most in more than two years as European officials contemplate a major new package to increase defense spending and support for Ukraine.The German manufacturer’s stock rose as much as 11% in Frankfurt. The shares have more than doubled over the past year as military orders increased, especially from Germany. If Europe moves to increase spending further, it could push Rheinmetall to accelerate plans to increase its production capacity. Continue reading...

Economics

7 d. ago European defence stocks surge to record high; UK economy ‘quite static’, says Bank of England’s Bailey – business live

Shares in BAE Systems, Rheinmetall and Saab soar, as Keir Starmer offers to put British ‘boots on the ground’ in UkraineUK firms mull biggest layoffs in a decade as business confidence slumpsHere’s Bloomberg on the jump in Rheinmetall’s share price this morning:Rheinmetall AG’s shares surged the most in more than two years as European officials contemplate a major new package to increase defense spending and support for Ukraine.The German manufacturer’s stock rose as much as 11% in Frankfurt. The shares have more than doubled over the past year as military orders increased, especially from Germany. If Europe moves to increase spending further, it could push Rheinmetall to accelerate plans to increase its production capacity. Continue reading...

Economics

7 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 17 February: Defence stocks surge, Assura rejects £1.6bn bid approach

Defence stocks including BAE Systems have surged on the outlook for increased spending by NATO allies.

Economics