Vodafone share hike helps FTSE 100 move higher
Blue chip giant Vodafone has dialled up big share gains after hiking its earnings outlook, as the wider FTSE 100 Index lifted on optimism over the US-China trade war.
Business
Royal Mail loses appeal over £50m Ofcom fine
Royal Mail’s appeal against a £50 million fine it was handed by Ofcom for breaching competition law has been rejected, the Competition Appeal Tribunal has announced.
UK jobs market ‘softening’ despite fall in unemployment, say City analysts
The UK jobs market has “softened” as Brexit uncertainty weighed on hiring in September, City analysts have said after the latest set of UK labour market figures.
New-look business helps womenswear retailer slash losses
Womenswear retailer New Look has warned it does not expect the tough high street conditions that have claimed many of its rivals to improve.
Financial Times appoints first female editor as Lionel Barber steps down
The Financial Times has appointed a female editor for the first time in its 131-year history, following the decision of long-serving editor Lionel Barber to stand down.
Retail woes wipe £368m off Landsec portfolio value
Shopping centre owner Landsec has plunged to a half-year loss after taking a £368 million hit on the value of its properties from woes in the retail sector.
B&M writes off struggling German business Jawoll
Retailer B&M could abandon its first-ever international market, it revealed on Tuesday, after it was forced to write off its German business Jawoll, taking a major hit to profits.
Vodafone poised to quit India unless government intervenes
Vodafone has warned that the end of a long-running court battle with authorities in India could lead to the telecoms giant quitting the country.
Supermarket sales slow despite shoppers already buying Christmas mince pies
The “big four” supermarkets have seen a slow start to the crucial festive period despite shoppers already spending £17 million on mince pies and £3 million on Christmas puddings, figures show.
Cakes rise at Mr Kipling as owner eyes turnaround
The nation’s sweet tooth helped set Mr Kipling-maker Premier Foods on the road to recovery in the first half, with cake sales rising 8%.
Uber chief expresses regret over comments about journalist’s murder
Uber boss Dara Khosrowshahi has been criticised for calling the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi “a mistake” and comparing it to the death of a pedestrian hit by one of the company’s autonomous vehicles.
Pound jumps higher as traders welcome Brexit Party withdrawal from seats
The resurgent pound jumped higher against the euro and dollar as traders welcomed news that the Brexit Party will not contest previously Conservative-held seats in the upcoming General Election.
British Steel rescue by Chinese firm Jingye could save up to 4,000 jobs
British Steel is to be rescued by Chinese firm Jingye, potentially saving up to 4,000 jobs, the Insolvency Service has said.
Morrisons removes black plastic from own-brand packaging
Morrisons has announced it is removing black plastic from all of its own-brand food and drink packaging to make it more easily recyclable.
UK economy ‘spluttering’ despite return to growth, say analysts
Analysts have warned that the UK economy is “spluttering” and “slowing down” despite returning to growth in the third quarter of 2019.
New funding plan throws lifeline to small Sirius Minerals investors
Thousands of retail investors may have cause for cheer, analysts said on Monday after Sirius Minerals announced a cheaper plan to start production at its North Yorkshire mine.
620,000 manufacturing jobs lost since financial crisis – report
More than 620,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost since the financial crash a decade ago, a study suggests.
UK economy avoids recession after return to growth in third quarter
The UK economy avoided falling into a recession after UK Gross Domestic Product (GDP) returned to growth in the third quarter.
More Australian products could be coming to UK supermarkets
Shoppers in the UK could soon start seeing more Australian products on supermarket shelves after Sainsbury’s announced a new partnership with the country’s leading grocer, Coles.
Dignity profits in poor health as deaths fall to lowest level in five years
Funeral provider Dignity has predicted fewer Britons will die this year than in any year since 2014, as it pinned its 2020 financial performance on changes to the figures.
Unions welcome possible British Steel deal with Chinese firm
Unions have welcomed an expected announcement that a rescue deal has been struck with British Steel which could save up to 4,000 jobs.
Heathrow passenger numbers boosted by Rugby World Cup
The Rugby World Cup in Japan helped Heathrow Airport record its busiest October on record, the owner of the London flight hub has revealed.
Prosus lowers bar on £4.9bn bid for Just Eat
Prosus has lowered the bar on its hostile takeover offer for food delivery giant Just Eat, but refused to offer sceptical shareholders more money as a bidding war intensified.
Greggs upgrades profits forecast as Brexit extension avoids disruption
Greggs has revealed that sales jumped in the last six weeks, meaning profits are now expected to be higher than first thought, the sausage roll specialist said.
Chinese buyer set to save steel plant
A Chinese industrial giant is set to come to the rescue of British Steel within days, buying out its embattled Scunthorpe plant and potentially saving 4,000 jobs, it has been reported.
E-scooter business banks 85 million US dollars in latest fundraiser
The e-scooter revolution took a leap forward as one of Europe’s biggest operators revealed it has raised 85 million US dollars (£66.5 million) in new funding from investors in Delivery Hero and healthcare app Babylon.
Shoppers stay away from stores as weather hits footfall
The number of people heading to the high street, retail parks and shopping centres is continuing to fall, new data has revealed.
Barclays UK boss brushes aside Corbyn fears in City
Barclays UK chairman Sir Ian Cheshire has insisted British businesses would “get on and deal with” whichever government wins the election, despite City fears over Jeremy Corbyn.
Asda workers’ contract row could lead shoppers to go elsewhere, union claims
The row over new contracts for workers at supermarket giant Asda could persuade shoppers to go elsewhere, a union is claiming.
Households could be billed twice for green tax after suppliers go bust
Households across the country could be billed twice as unscrupulous energy suppliers left a £71 million hole in a green tax fund intended to pay for renewables, industry insiders have warned.