Pound hits two-year high as hopes of Brexit trade deal rise December 16, 2020 The pound hit its highest level in two years after market optimism rose that the UK and EU would strike a post-Brexit trade agreement. Sterling climbed 0.5 per cent to $1.352 having earlier touched $1.355, its highest level since the spring of 2018. The pound was up 0.3 per cent against the euro at €1.109. [...]
FTSE off to fast start as global markets rise on vaccine rollout December 16, 2020 The FTSE 100 surged upwards this morning as markets round the world hailed the rollout of coronavirus vaccines. The blue-chip index was up one per cent an hour after markets opened, with energy and housebuilder stocks leading the charge. Investors were also buoyed by hopes that the UK could still sign a free trade deal [...]
BP takes majority stake in carbon offset firm as green push continues December 16, 2020 BP has today taken a majority stake in carbon offset firm Finite Carbon as it continues with plans to transition to a low-emission business model. The oil giant is one of several commodities firms buying into the carbon offset sector, banking on the rising price of emissions credits to offset falling oil prices. Finite Carbon, [...]
Before the Bell: Flash PMIs and Federal Reserve in focus December 16, 2020 The pound had a pretty good day yesterday as optimism grows that a UK/EU deal on trade could well be within reach after some positive comments from Irish PM Micheal Martin. “While we’ve been here many times before, the prospect of an imminent deadline can help concentrate minds, and despite some push back over fear [...]
Trading platforms flying high on back of pandemic December 16, 2020 Trading platforms have reported record profits as more people stuck at home during lockdowns took a gamble on the stock markets.
FTSE 100 slips ahead of London lockdown as job losses mount December 15, 2020 The FTSE 100 slipped into the red as London prepared itself for a new lockdown and job losses climbed, with the index bucking the trend of European and US markets which rose amid positivity about coronavirus vaccines. London’s biggest index was down 0.5 per cent in afternoon trading to 6,501 points. The FTSE 250 was [...]
FTSE 100 lags but pound jumps as markets weigh Brexit latest December 14, 2020 The FTSE 100 lagged behind its European peers as the pound rose the most in nearly two months after the UK and EU agreed to extend post-Brexit trade talks. Elsewhere, stocks climbed strongly amid signs of progress in US stimulus talks, and as the country prepared to roll out the first coronavirus vaccines. London’s main [...]
Pound jumps more than one per cent after Brexit talks extended December 14, 2020 Investors have driven the pound up more than one per cent against the dollar and euro amid optimism about the extension of Brexit talks. Yesterday, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen agreed to “go the extra mile” and extend the deadline for trade talks. Von der Leyen said [...]
Households could be automatically switched to cheaper energy tariffs December 13, 2020 Households could find themselves automatically switched onto cheaper energy tariffs under new government plans set to be released this week. The proposal is an attempt to crack down on energy suppliers which move customers onto higher “default” deals after their initial contracts end. The BBC reported that the plan would be unveiled as part of [...]
EU banks losing appetite for exposure to Brexit Britain December 12, 2020 Banks in the European Union may be losing their appetite for exposure to Britain, the EU’s banking watchdog said yesterday. There are concerns in the bloc that a no-deal Brexit, which is looking increasingly likely, could disrupt financial markets. Britain will stop having full access to the EU after 31 December, and many banks in [...]
