Next set to continue strong growth
All eyes will be on Simon Wolfson on Thursday as the chief executive of Next unveils the high street chain’s latest set of results.
UK and abroad
Rates to remain unchanged in final MPC meeting before Brexit deadline
Bank of England policymakers are set to leave interest rates on hold at 0.75% this week in their final monetary policy meeting before the UK is due to leave the EU on October 31.
Ovo’s £500m SSE deal to create new energy giant
Thousands of north and north-east households will have a new name at the top of their energy bills next year if regulators approve a £500 million takeover of SSE’s domestic supply arm.
Government unveils 69 towns and cities set for high street funding
The Government has revealed the 69 high streets across England that will benefit from a £95 million fund to revive historic shopping areas.
Pound and FTSE both rise as sentiment continues to improve
Better-than-expected economic news and the royal assent given to Parliament’s bill to block Brexit helped the FTSE 100 close out the week on a high, with the pound following suit.
Next set to continue strong growth
All eyes will be on Simon Wolfson on Thursday as the chief executive of Next unveils the high street chain’s latest set of results.
LSE firmly rejects £32bn bid from Hong Kong rival
The London Stock Exchange Group (LSE) has rebuffed the £31.6 billion bid from its Hong Long rival in a blistering rejection that branded the approach “fundamentally flawed”.
Invitations sent out by Clintons as it seeks new owner
Greeting cards chain Clintons is being put up for sale by its owners, with accountancy giant KPMG drafted in to find potential buyers.
Peppa Pig toy distributor takes a pounding over weak Sterling
The distributor behind Peppa Pig, Doctor Who and Fireman Sam toys has said profits will be lower than expected this year due to the weak pound and the collapse of its largest Scandinavian customer.
EasyGroup claims victory as Air China agrees to ditch ‘Easy Way’ branding
EasyJet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou has claimed victory in a legal battle with China’s national airline over the use of the word “easy” in its advertising.
Pub sales will soar on October 31 in no-deal Brexit, says Wetherspoon boss
JD Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin has said partying pub-goers will send bar sales soaring on October 31 if the UK leaves the EU – with or without a deal.
Ovo to become second biggest energy provider after agreeing SSE deal
Ovo is set to become Britain’s second largest gas and electricity provider after striking a £500 million deal to buy larger rival SSE’s household supply arm.
No-deal Brexit could spark recession, report warns
A no-deal Brexit could lead to the UK’s first recession for a decade, according to new analysis.
Markets remain muted despite Yellowhammer warnings
In yet another sign that London’s blue-chip index rarely reacts to domestic events, the FTSE 100 maintained its recent five-week highs on Thursday, as investors sat on their hands.
Retailer behind Simply Be and JD Williams plans to make extra PPI provision
The fashion retailer behind brands Jacamo, Simply Be and JD Williams expects to put aside up to £30 million extra to deal with PPI claims, after seeing related inquiries surge tenfold in the run-up to the deadline.
Sir Philip Green’s Topshop sees losses widen to £505m
Sir Philip Green’s Topshop and Topman fashion chains saw losses widen to more than half-a-billion pounds last year after sales tumbled.
‘Vegan revolution driven by big business and environmentally aware youngsters’
The vegan revolution has been driven by big business as well as better informed young people who want to eat healthily and save the planet, campaigner Heather Mills has said.
European Central Bank moves to stimulate economy amid trade tensions
The European Central Bank has launched a new round of monetary stimulus to support economic growth in the face of uncertainties like the US-China trade conflict and Brexit.
Trainline ups revenues outlook after ticket sales steam ahead
Rail app firm Trainline has upped its full-year sales outlook thanks to a surge in UK ticket sales.
Love Island winner Amber Gill rakes in £1m in major new deal
Reality TV star Amber Gill has become a millionaire thanks to a new fashion partnership, just weeks after winning Love Island.
Co-op vows major overhaul to keep funeral business alive
The Co-op is set to overhaul its funeral and life planning business after profits more than halved and the company revealed increased demand for low-cost funerals and cremations without ceremony.
Morrisons signs up to multi-year deal with Amazon
Morrisons has signed up to a new multi-year agreement with online giant Amazon as the supermarket attempts to keep pushing further into the wholesale market.
BAT cuts 2,300 jobs worldwide amid shift to invest in vaping
Around 2,300 jobs are being cut worldwide at British American Tobacco amid a group overhaul to invest in vaping and new products.
John Lewis sounds alarm over Brexit as it slumps to first ever half-year loss
The John Lewis Partnership has warned the hit from a no-deal Brexit would be “significant” and impossible to offset as it tumbled to its first ever half-year loss.
UK asset management ‘resilient’ despite Brexit and economic slowdown fears
The total amount of investment assets under management in the UK was “resilient” last year despite concerns over Brexit and the global economy, according to new research.
LSE takeover offer shoots London markets higher
The London markets surged higher on the back of news that Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing tabled a £31.6 billion bid for the London Stock Exchange Group.
LSE’s long history of failed mega deals
The Hong Kong exchange’s takeover tilt for the LSE marks the latest in a long line of bids for the London bourse over the years.
Mike Ashley insists ‘elevation’ on track but new auditor remains a mystery
Mike Ashley has insisted his “elevation” strategy to change Sports Direct from a discount retailer to the Selfridges of sport is still on track – although it might take longer than first thought.
Sir Martin Sorrell’s S4 Capital ‘set to double in size’ after contract wins
Sir Martin Sorrell’s new marketing firm S4 Capital said it was on track to double in size by 2021 after securing a raft of new contracts.
Zara owner hails sales boost from hot weather and polka-dot dress
The owner of Zara has said sales surged during the first half of the year as the high street fashion brand was bolstered by warm weather and the success of a highly popular polka-dot dress.
Harry seals £1bn gilts deal on City brokers’ 9/11 charity day
The Duke of Sussex closed a £1 billion deal on a financial trading floor as he helped raise thousands of pounds for charity including his Invictus Games.
Crest Nicholson appoints new chairman amid clean sweep at the top
Crest Nicholson has named Iain Ferguson as its new chairman to replace Stephen Stone when he steps down next month amid a clean sweep at the top of the housebuilding giant.