Investor optimism on US-China relations pushes FTSE 100 higher
The FTSE 100 rose on Monday as investors grew bullish on the latest round of trade talks between the US and China, while the pound weakened following downbeat economic data.
City
Wolf of Wall Street says City will not be affected by Brexit
The real-life Wolf of Wall Street has claimed London’s status as a top financial hub will be unaffected by Brexit, and described those warning over the City as “fear mongering”.
Energy price cap hike to push up bills by £117
Around 15 million households will see their energy prices rise after regulator Ofgem hiked price caps designed to protect those on poor value deals.
Interserve seals debt-for-equity swap as lenders take control
Outsourcing giant Interserve has agreed a debt-for-equity swap with its lenders as part of plans to slash its near-£650 million debt mountain and put the firm on a secure financial footing.
Ocado profit dented by investment costs as M&S deal rumours swirl
Ocado’s chief executive refused to be drawn on speculation it is close to signing a deal with Marks & Spencer, as the online grocer reported a year of widening losses after it was knocked by investment costs.
Australian banks could face prosecution after misconduct probe
Three of Australia’s largest banks could face prosecution following a year-long investigation into misconduct recommended tougher oversight and better consumer safeguards.
Serco signs £560m health services deal with Australian army
Outsourcer Serco has inked a £560 million contract to provide health services to the Australia Defence Force in conjunction with Bupa.
Major North Sea discovery announced by oil and gas companies
A significant new gas discovery has been made in the North Sea.
Scotland and City of London benefit from working together – Sturgeon
Nicola Sturgeon has spoken of strengthening Scotland’s partnership with the City of London at a business event.
Business insolvencies up 14% in a year, figures show
Business insolvencies in Scotland have risen by 14% in a year, new figures indicate.
North Sea decommissioning ‘could cost taxpayers £24 billion’
Decommissioning oil and gas platforms in the North Sea could end up costing UK taxpayers £24 billion, a new report has indicated.
Bank must make right call on interest rates if no-deal Brexit, Mark Carney says
Interest rates will not automatically go up or down if Britain crashes out of the European Union without a deal, the governor of the Bank of England has said.
Is your Santander branch closing? Check the full list
This is a full list of branches and closure dates of the 140 Santander outlets that are closing:
Marks & Spencer announces store closures, putting 1,000 jobs at risk
More than 1,000 jobs at Marks & Spencer are at risk as the retailer announced its latest round of store closures as part of a drastic transformation plan.
Revolution Bars shares crumble as political uncertainty weighs on profit
Shares in Revolution Bars collapsed on Monday after the firm warned that full-year profit will take a knock from “economic and political uncertainties”, taking a shine off rising sales over the festive period.
Tesco and M&S to report Christmas figures in busy week for retail
Retail heavyweights Tesco and Marks & Spencer will hit the corporate reporting dance floor next week as they become the latest high street firms to shine a light on Christmas trading.
More than £17,000 raised for workers laid off on Christmas Eve
More than £17,000 has been raised for workers at a computer components plant who were laid off on Christmas Eve.
FTSE 100 lower on Fed inspired sell-off
The FTSE 100 edged lower on Thursday as the Fed inspired sell-off in the US dragged London’s blue-chip index into the red.
Market dominance of big four accountants to be challenged
Britain’s big four accountancy firms will have their stranglehold on the audit market challenged as part of a radical shake-up of the scandal-hit industry.
ATG Access on the block as terror fears boost growth
Security equipment manufacturer ATG Access has been put up for sale as demand for its bollards and road blockers increases amid the global terror threat, it can be revealed.
Economy expected to grow but forecasters issue Brexit warning
The Scottish economy is on track to grow at its fastest rate since 2014 but Brexit could cause “substantial economic shock”, forecasters have warned.
Wheatley Group secures £76.5m investment to build 700 affordable homes
A housing group has secured a £76.5 million investment that will enable it to build hundreds of new affordable homes.
Royal job adverts among the most clicked-on, LinkedIn reveals
The prospect of working for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, the Queen or the Princess Royal had thousands clicking online job adverts this year.
Berkeley profits tumble but housebuilder says trading is ‘resilient’
Housebuilder Berkeley has reported a sharp fall in profits as Brexit uncertainty and a slow property market continue to drag on the firm.
Primark finding life tough as festive shopping gets into full swing
Primark owner Associated British Foods (ABF) has warned that trading at the budget retail chain in the run-up to Christmas has been “challenging”.
Berkeley upgrades profit forecast amid ‘resilient’ trading
Housebuilder Berkeley has upgraded its profit guidance by at least 5% following what it called a “resilient” start to the year.
Oil price tumbles on global demand concerns
London’s blue-chip index was dragged slightly lower by the tumbling price of oil as investors fret that supply could outpace global demand.
Markets trade lower amid Brexit concerns
Markets were lower on Tuesday as concerns about Britain’s departure from the European Union, Italy’s budget woes and the US-China trade relations weighed on investors.
Longer-living urban blackbirds have reduced bill of health, study finds
City blackbirds live longer but are less healthy than their country counterparts, a study has found.
The Debate: Which city is better, Aberdeen or Dundee?
It’s an age old rivalry that’s had some fuel added to the flames in recent weeks, with one councillor claiming Aberdeen is Scotland’s “forgotten city” following a major jobs boost for Dundee.