UK asset managers pile into record gilt auction April 15, 2026 Asset managers have piled into a landmark UK gilt auction after the Middle East war forced the government to fork out the highest interest rate on its 10-year bond since the global financial crash. City PM understands that Aberdeen and Schroders bought up some of the record £15bn of 10-year securities issued by the Debt [...]
Allica Bank goes ‘turbo’ on AI as profit and loan book swells April 15, 2026 Small business lender Allica Bank has revealed a major bump to its bottom line after the bank’s loan book ballooned over the last year. The neobank – which became one of the UK’s latest fintech unicorns this year – recorded a 23 per cent rise in pre-tax profit at £36.9m, compared to £29.9 million in [...]
Silver prices hit record high amid dwindling demand April 15, 2026 Silver hit multiple record breaking highs last year, but soaring investor appetite ultimately offset demand for the metal from jewellers and industry. Silver rode the coattails of fellow precious metal gold which was coveted for its ‘safe haven’ status, and has extended its rally into 2026. The asset has surged 140.9 per cent over the [...]
CBI chief calls on Miliband to approve Jackdaw and Rosebank oil fields April 15, 2026 The boss of Britain’s largest industry body has called on the government to green-light extraction from two major North Sea oil fields and slash the windfall tax on domestic oil production in a bid to revitalise the country’s ailing oil and gas industry. CBI chief Rain Newton Smith said the North Sea was a “critical [...]
Supermarkets ‘taking mickey’ on pricing, says olive oil boss April 15, 2026 A leading retail trade body has taken on big olive oil over claims supermarkets are “taking the mickey” over their pricing of the product. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has hit back at the boss of olive oil maker Filippo Berio after he accused grocers of failing to pass falling prices onto consumers. The price [...]
Standard Life snaps up Aegon UK for £2bn to create savings giant April 15, 2026 Standard Life has snapped up the UK’s largest investment platform Aegon UK in a £2bn deal. The FTSE 100 giant – previously known as Phoenix Group – said the deal would create the UK’s top retirement savings and income business with near 16m customers and £480bn in assets under administration. Standard Life expects an annual [...]
EO Charging collapses despite European EV sales boom April 15, 2026 EO Charging has gone into administration, with 69 jobs slashed, in a recent blow to the UK’s EV infrastructure sector as car sales across the continent accelerate. PwC was appointed administrator to the EV charging firm, which traded as Juuce Limited, on 8 April. The consultancy said that more than two thirds of the 93 [...]
Bank of England could cut interest rates ‘if war ends’ April 15, 2026 The Bank of England could cut interest rates this year if the war in Iran ends and the Strait of Hormuz opens up within weeks, an economist at a City broker has said. Peel Hunt’s chief economist Kallum Pickering’s current assumption is that the Bank makes two interest rate cuts at the end of this [...]
Big Bash future in limbo as Cricket Australia’s plan to copy England stalls April 15, 2026 Cricket Australia’s plans to copy The Hundred and sell off minority stakes in Big Bash League franchises have hit the buffers after some team chiefs raised the alarm. CA is exploring the sale of 49 per cent stakes in the eight teams in the BBL, its annual T20 competition, to outside investors in a move [...]
Exeter Chiefs set for US investment as Prem Rugby flurry continues April 15, 2026 Exeter Chiefs are set to become the latest in a flurry of Prem Rugby clubs to take fresh investment, with American backing set for Sandy Park. An extraordinary general meeting will be held next month to vote on plans which would see an unnamed US backer make a multimillion pound investment in the Devonshire club. [...]
