The FTSE 100 faces a stern test of its new high levels this week, with Israel-Iran tensions still running high and Tehran facing warnings from President Trump. Positive news for businesses came, however, from the G7 summit where the UK and US finally signed off on their trade agreement.
Overnight markets in Asia were decidedly mixed, with the Nikkei 225 up but the Hang Seng and Shanghai Composite both down, with futures markets early on today showing US stocks also set for a slight dip upon opening. On the London Stock Exchange, Ashtead are among the companies reporting financials on Tuesday - and they also gave an update on their planned listing switch to the US in 2026.
Later this week, the UK will also face the latest inflation data and have the Bank of England’s latest interest rates decision, when they are expected to hold firm with a 4.25 per cent base rate.
The Independent brings you the latest business news and stock market updates from Tuesday.
Business and Money news - live updates
- Exclusive: Avon sellers walking away after cosmetics firm cut commissions
- Metro Bank shares surge after takeover talk
TSB put up for sale by Sabadell
08:02
,
Karl Matchett
Yesterday we heard news of a potential Metro Bank buyout; today another high street name is on the watchlist.
TSB is owned by Spanish bank Sabadell, but the parent firm has confirmed there is interest from bidders and is set to “assess any potential binding offers”.
TSB was bought by Sabadell from Lloyds ten years ago.
Tuesday's business and stock markets news
07:56
,
Karl Matchett
Good morning and welcome back to our rolling business live updates.
Today there’s plenty coming up to start a busy midweek: Ashtead and Informa are among those with financials on the agenda, we’ll hear more about the UK-US trade deal and we’ll have all the stock markets news as it comes too.
FTSE 100 closes up 0.3%
Monday 16 June 2025 16:32
,
Karl Matchett
That’s it for daytime trading in the UK - the FTSE 100 has had a reasonably positive day, 0.3 per cent up with Entain’s 15 per cent rise accounting for some of that.
Meanwhile, airlines are in the green too - Easyjet up about 2.3 per cent and BA owner IAG up a full 3.7 per cent, following steep drops last week on higher priced oil.
In the US, trading has started well in the green with the S&P 500 more than 1.0 per cent up and the Nasdaq at 1.5 per cent.
We’ll be back tomorrow morning with all the overnight news and latest business headlines - catch you then.
UK-US trade deal in effect 'soon', says Starmer
Monday 16 June 2025 16:25
,
Karl Matchett
Keir Starmer has suggested the trade deal between the UK and US will be in effect “very soon”.
"I'm certainly seeing President Trump today, and I'm going to discuss with him our trade deal," Starmer told reporters at a G7 meeting.
"I'm very pleased that we made that trade deal, and we're in the final stages now of implementation, and I expect that to be completed very soon."
Cars, steel and beef were among the finer points being debated in that tariff deal.
Warner Bros Discovery take step toward split
Monday 16 June 2025 15:38
,
Karl Matchett
Reuters are reporting that Warner Bros Discovery bondholders “have overwhelmingly approved a plan to split the corporation and put in place a new capital structure related to the deal.”
The plan is to split that business into multiple parts to unlock better value and focus the organisation on its relative strengths, such as streamings.
Exclusie: Avon sellers angered after commission rate cuts
Monday 16 June 2025 14:00
,
Karl Matchett
Avon is facing growing anger from its legion of sellers after cutting commission rates in a move that some workers say has wiped out more than two-thirds of their income.
Changes to pay structures, which affect thousands of representatives across the UK, have been introduced alongside shifting targets and reduced incentives – leaving many reps feeling misled, and prompting some to walk away from the company altogether.
Full exclusive report:
Fortnum & Mason could move outside of London for first time
Monday 16 June 2025 13:40
,
Karl Matchett
Fortnum & Mason is planning to open its first UK stores outside of London, following a surge in demand for its luxury products including teas and biscuits.
The company told the Telegraph they are looking along the “spine” of the country and could open in a “beautiful location” which had “beautiful architecture”.
More airport stores are another opportunity for expansion.
Isa reform not top of agenda for those who already invest
Monday 16 June 2025 13:20
,
Karl Matchett
Much has been made of the potential for changing rules to Isas later this year, as the government seeks to encourage more people to invest rather than only save.
A YouGov poll commissioned by Freetrade has found that three-quarters (75%) of those already investing do not believe change has to happen and that the rules are fine.
Freetrade CEO Viktor Nebehaj, said: “As an industry, we’re at risk of forgetting to listen to current and prospective retail investors in all this noise about ISA reform. Potential changes that add complexity could end up with a sting in the tail, turning prospective investors away from global markets and even encouraging those currently invested to shun markets.Retail investors value choice, incentives, and certainty. If this Government wants to encourage more people to invest, any reforms must keep these priorities in mind.”
Businesses mildly more optimistic about world economy
Monday 16 June 2025 13:00
,
Karl Matchett
A snapshot of business confidence shows they are somewhat less pessimistic about the world economy’s and the near-term outlook.
Oxford Economics’ Global Risk Survey, saw a downgrade in growth expectations in the aftermath of April's 'liberation day' tariff announcements, which has now partially unwound.
“Respondents perceive a significant reduction in the probability of a severe deterioration in economic prospects,” said head of macro scenarios Jamie Thompson. “They see less than a 15% chance of a global recession this year, compared with more than 25% in April.”
More than 100 businesses were contacted for the report.
One factor to note was the questioning being conducted prior to the latest military escalation between Israel and Iran.
US futures show stocks to open higher
Monday 16 June 2025 12:40
,
Karl Matchett
Futures trading show the markets are set to open up in the US this afternoon.
The S&P 500 is at around 0.45 per cent up, with the Nasdaq slightly higher at 0.54 per cent in the green, a couple of hours ahead of opening hours.
Major European indices are all up between 0.45 and 0.85 per cent today.
Women lose up to £14,000 in earnings after miscarriage or stillbirth
Monday 16 June 2025 12:20
,
Karl Matchett
Women lose up to £14,000 in earnings and are less likely to secure employment after suffering a miscarriage or stillbirth, a shocking new study shows.
Data released by the Office for National Statistics shows women suffered lower average earnings for up to five years after losing a child during pregnancy or labour.
The study looked at the monthly pay and employment status of women who went through stillbirths, neonatal deaths, miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies and molar pregnancies.
In total, losses of up to £13,581 were shown across at least a five-year period. The probability of employment also reduced by a maximum of 4.8 per cent in the three months following the end of a pregnancy. Those who had suffered a stillbirth saw a drop in likelihood of employment for up to two years afterwards.
The City’s U-turn on WFH tells you everything you need to know about bad bosses
Monday 16 June 2025 12:00
,
Karl Matchett
Barclays has taken overflow office space in Shoreditch. HSBC, having decided to relocate from Canary Wharf to new headquarters near St Paul’s, is looking for extra room, including moving some workers back to Canary Wharf (and has told staff that their bonuses could be cut unless they’re back in the office). JPMorgan and BBVA are finding accommodating everyone a tight squeeze. And BlackRock is also struggling to fit in all its staff.
Some City firms are using a booking system, which sees those who wish to come to the office having to reserve a slot, such is the demand for desks. After three years, Citigroup has shut its Malaga outpost, billed as providing a better work-life balance for the bank’s analysts, and steered its staff to London.
What distinguishes all these financial corporations and others is that they claim to only recruit the brightest and the best. They make fortunes from advising the rest of us, along with businesses and governments, how to manage our affairs. On deals, they take command, devise strategy, issue orders and tell those involved how to behave. Yet when it comes to their own internal management, they are all over the place.
Premium read:
Gold drops in price
Monday 16 June 2025 11:30
,
Karl Matchett
Oil has started to lower slightly today, both Brent and Crude down around a third of a percent.
But also lowering is gold: at $3432 it’s down 0.6 per cent today, which could of course be profit taking after shooting prices last week, but may also be a sign of easing investor sentiment.
Gold is one of the safe havens investors tend to head to amid uncertainty, which is certainly high at present given tariffs, ongoing war and the threat of a new one.
FTSE 100 risers and fallers
Monday 16 June 2025 11:05
,
Karl Matchett
Time for a look at the biggest risers and fallers so far this morning in the FTSE 100.
Way out in front with an 11.3 per cent gain is Entain; the sports bookmaker operator has raised guidance for one of its gambling sites.
After that, Standard Chartered and Intermediate Capital Group are the pair showing more than a 2 per cent rise this morning, with Vodafone just shy of that on 1.98 per cent.
At the other end, Endeavour Mining is down 2.17 per cent as the biggest faller - but adverting firm WPP’s shares show no signs of halting a dismal year.
It’s down 2 per cent today, almost 10 per cent in the last month and 35 per cent across 2025 as a whole.
Investors welcome rumour of Metro Bank takeover
Monday 16 June 2025 10:40
,
PA
Shares in Metro Bank have jumped by more than a 10th as investors welcome reports that the high street lender had attracted a takeover approach from a possible buyer.
The London-listed bank was approached by investment firm Pollen Street Capital about potentially taking it private, Sky News first reported over the weekend.
The discussions are said to be in the early stages and there can be no certainty of any deal.
This would mark a turning point for the lender which secured a multimillion-pound rescue deal in 2023 and returned to profitability last year.
Shortly after markets opened on Monday, Metro shares were soaring by about 13%.
Metro Bank declined to comment on the takeover reports.
Avon sellers are walking away after huge commission cuts
Monday 16 June 2025 10:20
,
Karl Matchett
Avon is facing growing anger from its legion of sellers after cutting commission rates in a move that some workers say has wiped out more than two-thirds of their income.
Changes to pay structures, which affect thousands of representatives across the UK, have been introduced alongside shifting targets and reduced incentives – leaving many reps feeling misled, and prompting some to walk away from the company altogether.
The cosmetics and homeware brand, known for its historic door-to-door model, has long relied on a network of representatives to sell products across the UK. But many of those reps now say they’re being forced to leave, unable to make the numbers work.
The Independent has seen internal company emails that appear to downplay the impact of the changes. One message claimed earnings in a particular category would fall by “two to three per cent” – but in fact this referred to a drop of up to three percentage points, which in some cases equates to a real-terms loss of 33 per cent.
Here’s our exclusive in full:
Will a spike in oil price mean I pay more for my flight or holiday?
Monday 16 June 2025 10:00
,
Karl Matchett
Four days after the conflict between Israel and Iran began, oil prices are rising. The price of the benchmark barrel of Brent crude is approaching $75, compared with just $62 at the start of May.
Oil powers the vast majority of the transport industry – from aviation to cruise ships – and fuel comprises one of the biggest costs for operators. So what could the surge in the oil price mean for travellers? These are the key questions and answers.
Markets rise despite fears over geopolitical tensions
Monday 16 June 2025 09:37
,
Karl Matchett
Markets comment: AJ Bell’s Russ Mould points out investors are not exactly running for the hills in spite of weekend fears over war. There’s plenty of profit taking in gold, and many equities are showing rises this morning.
“European shares were surprisingly resilient against a backdrop of uncertainty,” said Mr Mould, investment director at AJ Bell.
“Helping to prop up FTSE 100 was continued strength in oil prices as tensions remained high in the Middle East. Crude oil rose 1.1% to $72 per barrel, driving shares in FTSE heavyweights BP and Shell and taking the broader market upwards in the process.
“Global oil prices jumped last week after Israel attacked Iran, raising concerns about major disruptions to supply. Despite a weekend of violence between the two countries, investors showed no signs of panicking, judging by movements in financial markets on Monday. Future prices imply a positive day for Wall Street when US markets open later on.
“The gold price is often a measure of investor sentiment, going up when people are worried and going down when they’re optimistic. The precious metal slipped 0.6% to $3,432 per ounce which indicates that investors remain alert to ongoing geopolitical tensions but they’re not reaching for their tin hats.
“The Middle East conflict remains a fluid situation and there is the potential for markets to still experience sudden jolts if the tension escalates further.”
Losses widen for City banker Peel Hunt amid dearth of UK stock market listings
Monday 16 June 2025 09:00
,
Karl Matchett
A death of companies launching on the London stock market and US trade tariffs fuelling greater uncertainty among investors have created tougher market conditions, investment bank Peel Hunt has cautioned.
The company said there were historically low levels of equity capital markets activity in the UK over the past year.
This has seen a shortage in the number of companies launching their shares on the London Stock Exchange through an initial public offering (IPO).
Coupled with a flurry of listed firms leaving London for the US and other markets, it has resulted in “subdued” conditions in the UK, Peel Hunt said.
BP share price continues gains amid Israel-Iran fears
Monday 16 June 2025 08:38
,
Karl Matchett
Israel launching missiles at Iran last week immediately saw the price of oil surge, with fears that Iran may close a critical shipping route in the event of a full-scale war.
In stock market terms this had several knock-on effects - this, plus the AirIndia crash saw airline stocks rush lower in particular - but one who has benefited is BP.
The FTSE 100 energy firm is up 1.5 per cent in early trading this morning, extending gains from before the weekend.
Following what is now more than an 8 per cent push higher in the last week, BP’s share price is now 392.55p, back to about the level last seen in early April before the initial Liberation Day tariffs.
FTSE 100 opens in the green
Monday 16 June 2025 08:28
,
Karl Matchett
The FTSE 100 is slightly up to start the week - 0.17 per cent in the green in the first half-hour of trading.
Both the FTSE 250 and the AIM are also marginally up, while in Europe the German DAX, French CAC40 and the Euronext 100 are all up between 0.3 and 0.45 per cent, following bigger falls last week than the UK benchmarks suffered.
We’re also seeing a marginal rise for the pound to the dollar this morning - up 0.12 per cent to £1 : $1.3588.
Business news on Monday
Monday 16 June 2025 07:45
,
Karl Matchett
Good morning and welcome to another week of business and money news on The Independent.
Later this week we’ve got inflation data, interest rates decisions, several big AGMs and final accounts due and plenty more besides.
Today though the focus is likely on money markets amid ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran, and concerns over potential involvement for the UK.
FTSE 100 closes lower with US stocks also in the red
Friday 13 June 2025 16:30
,
Karl Matchett
The FTSE 100 closes lower ahead of the weekend, following Thursday’s record-setting end to the day.
A drop of around half a percent - more on the AIM and across the FTSE 250 - saw financials and airlines hit, but oil companies saw the other side of the coin, with barrels of Crude higher as well as gold.
Stateside, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq are both in the red by more than half a percent after two hours of trading.
That’s it from us for this week, we’ll be back on Monday with the latest business and markets news - have a good weekend all.
Will interest rates be cut next week? The key factors for the Bank of England and 2025 predictions
Friday 13 June 2025 16:01
,
Karl Matchett
The Bank of England’s (BoE) next meeting to determine interest rates is on Thursday 19 June, and all eyes will be on the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) and whether its members opt to continue lowering rates.
The base rate - currently at 4.25 per cent following cuts in February and May - impacts consumers and taxpayers through everything from their mortgages to savings, so what do experts foresee both next week and beyond?
JP Morgan raise chances of oil crisis panning out
Friday 13 June 2025 15:30
,
Karl Matchett
JP Morgan has raised its likelihood of a worst-case scenario of a global oil crisis, in the wake of Israel-Iran tensions.
Having previously sat at 7 per cent prior to Thursday, they now raise that to 17 per cent chance of playing out.
Their worst-case is described as “where supply impact extends beyond the reduction in Iranian oil exports and price reaction is exponential rather than linear”.
An attack on Iran could see oil rise to around $120 a barrel, they said - it’s around the mid-to-high 70s for most of today.
FTSE biggers gainers and fallers
Friday 13 June 2025 15:16
,
Karl Matchett
Late into the afternoon session now and the FTSE 100 is down 0.5 per cent for the day all told, with the FTSE 250 down 1.0 per cent.
Within, as ever, are those who have bucked the trend.
BAE Systems is the biggest gainer of the day among the biggest benchmark index, 3.2 per cent up.
Schroders has suffered a 4.65 per cent drop to be the biggest faller, edging ahead of the airlines in that regard.
In the 250, Harbour Energy (+ 5.04 per cent) and Wizz Air Holdings (-5.57 per cent) are the outliers.
US stocks drop after opening amid Israel-Iran tensions
Friday 13 June 2025 14:45
,
Karl Matchett
As expected, US stocks are lower after opening today, with the Dow bearing the brunt at 1.1 per cent in the red.
The Nasdaq is 0.8pc down and the S&P 500 0.67pc down, as investors watch warily at how matters escalate between Israel and Iran.
Donald Trump has urged Iran to make a deal “before there is nothing left”.
More candidates fighting for fewer jobs as businesses ‘hold back on hiring’
Friday 13 June 2025 13:30
,
Karl Matchett
A new survey has revealed that the number of candidates available for jobs has increased at the fastest rate in over four years, according to recruiters.
The survey, conducted by KPMG and the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), indicated a further reduction in recruitment activity by companies in May.
Permanent placements decreased last month, while the availability of candidates increased at the quickest rate in nearly four-and-a-half years.
The report, which is based on data from 400 recruitment agencies, cited redundancies and fewer job opportunities as contributing factors.
Stock markets: FTSE and European indices remain lower
Friday 13 June 2025 13:04
,
Karl Matchett
No midday uplift for European stocks today, with all the major markets and indices remaining down.
The FTSE 100 is faring slightly better than most, down 0.35 per cent, with the FTSE 250 down 1.16 per cent.
France’s CAC 40 is is down 1 per cent, Germany’s DAX down 1.45 per cent.
US futures show the S&P 500 set to open around 0.9 per cent down at present.
India-made iPhones sent to the US over tariff concerns
Friday 13 June 2025 12:45
,
Karl Matchett
Customs data shows around 97 per cent of all iPhones made in India were sent to the US between March and May, far above the usual 50 per cent level, Reuters have reported.
Apple and other companies have had to make new plans around products coming from China due to President Trump’s tariff orders.
This week he said China faces a 55 per cent tariff, though that was initially far higher before talks resumed.
US stocks set to open lower
Friday 13 June 2025 12:00
,
Karl Matchett
Futures are pricing in US stocks starting in the red when markets open in a couple of hours.
The S&P 500 is set at 1.1 per cent down, though that has diminished slightly from earlier levels.
The Dow is around similar levels with the Nasdaq futures showing a 1.4 per cent drop on opening.
Among the biggest tech stocks, Tesla’s 2.5 per cent drop is the largest in futures trading.
Gold price surpasses $3,440
Friday 13 June 2025 11:43
,
Karl Matchett
Gold is up more than 1 per cent today, hitting $3,460 earlier today before falling back very slightly, now sat around $3,442.
The safe haven has shot up by almost a third this year alone amid increased international turmoil, trade concerns and ongoing war situations.
It has also been increasingly bought by central banks as a reserve over the past few years.
The record price for gold was $3,500.05 in April.
Oil price rising at rapid rate after Israel strikes
Friday 13 June 2025 11:20
,
Karl Matchett
While oil prices have dropped slightly from the early hours of this morning, they are still significantly higher following those strikes on Iran.
Steven Swinford, political editor at the Times, posted on X earlier today to detail exactly how notable the surges were.
“The price of oil has risen at the fastest rate in three years in the wake of Israel's attacks on Iran, with gains not seen since the early days of Russia's invasion of Ukraine,” he wrote.
“Brent crude has jumped by as much as 13 per cent to more than $78 a barrel – its biggest intraday gain since March 2022.”
Brent crude is now sat just under $73.
Friday 13 June 2025 11:00
,
Karl Matchett
The FTSE 100 remains 0.4 per cent down this morning, with the 250 1.2 per cent in the red.
Rather than any reflection of company conditions or financials, this is largely the reaction to global events.
But the UK’s benchmark index hasn’t been as hard-hit as others this morning - with both ends of the see-saw visible in the companies featuring at the top end of the index on this occasion.
“The FTSE 100 did not have long to bask in the glory of reaching a new record close last night with Israel’s military strikes on Iran putting stocks on the back foot globally,” said AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould.
“Concern about an escalating conflict in the Middle East saw oil hit its highest level since January and gold was also in demand for its safe haven qualities. After falls in Asia overnight and Europe this morning, futures markets are pointing to losses on Wall Street later too.
“The surge in crude provided FTSE 100 heavyweights BP and Shell with a boost which, along with gains for precious metals outfits Endeavour Mining and Fresnillo, spared the index from some of the heavier losses seen elsewhere.
“Airline stocks, predictably, were under pressure given the implications for fuel costs. Also in the aviation sector, Boeing shares were weak overnight amid the fall-out from the devastating Indian air crash involving one of its planes.
“Later we will get a fresh reading of US consumer sentiment, to see if the recent improvement, as tariff fears eased, has been sustained.”
GBP - USD rate could continue to rise
Friday 13 June 2025 10:40
,
Karl Matchett
Investment bank UBS is foreseeing a rise of the pound to dollar rate up to £1 - $1.38 in the second half of this year.
Following an almost 7 per cent increase in the past six months, it currently stands at $1.3560.
Early 2026 could see an even higher exchange rate, the bank said, pending further global economic conditions.
Inflationary pressures may impact interest rates and taxes
Friday 13 June 2025 10:20
,
Karl Matchett
Those oil price rises combined with other domestic events like Rachel Reeves’ spending review means rising UK taxes are inevitable and interest rates could even reverse direction, according to Gervais Williams, from investment manager Premier Miton.
European gas prices also went up at the fastest pace in a month after Israel’s attacks on Iran.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he said: “We’ve seen the oil price moving up and that is going to add to inflationary pressures unfortunately.
“It is likely that interest rates cuts will be less, or possibly even interest rate rises to come.
“I think there will be quite a lot of economic uncertainty and I think that will lead to a government shortfall, unfortunately, versus their spending review recently.
“I think that will lead to potentially, unfortunately, to additional UK tax rises later this year.”
Oil: Trump told Israel not to attack Iran
Friday 13 June 2025 10:00
,
Karl Matchett
As oil and gold prices climb amid Israel-Iran tensions, it has emerged that the US president’s thoughts were dismissed by the nation who launched last night’s attack.
President Donald Trump warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against attacking Iran during a phone call on Monday, saying negotiations with Tehran over its nuclear program should be allowed to run their course before military options were considered, according to a report.
Iran has since retaliated by launching more than 200 drones at Israel.
Read more on that report here:
Analysts foresee interest rates paused at 4.25%
Friday 13 June 2025 09:40
,
Karl Matchett
Next week the Bank of England’s MPC meets on Thursday to give its latest vote on the interest rate.
After being cut to 4.25 per cent, there were plenty who thought that would be that until autumn - but a softening labour market with higher unemployment, slowing wage growth and fewer vacancies gave pause for thought.
Inflation was higher in April than expected and that data for May will come in on Wednesday, just before the MPC decision.
But Barclays analysts expect the MPC will opt to hold interest rates this time around, predicting a 6-3 split in votes, against another 25bp cut.
They maintain expectation for quarterly cuts in August, November and February - taking the interest rate to 3.5 per cent by early 2026 if that’s the case.
FTSE 100 shares: Oil stocks up, airlines down
Friday 13 June 2025 09:20
,
Karl Matchett
There are only about a dozen FTSE 100 firms showing positive trading so far this morning, chief among them the big oil duo and a handful of other energy and mining companies.
Defence firm BAE is the biggest riser, 2.63 per cent in the green, with BP (1.8pc), Shell (1.3pc) and Endeavour Mining (1.8pc) the only firms above one per cent so far.
At the other end - and there are plenty in the red - British Airways owner IAG and Easyjet are the biggest fallers, both down more than 3.5 per cent.
JD Sports, Schroders and InterContinental Hotels Group are all among those with falls of more than 2 per cent.
Gold prices on the march higher once more
Friday 13 June 2025 09:01
,
Karl Matchett
Oil isn’t the only commodity to be pushing higher on the news of Israel’s attack on Iran.
Gold futures showed a rise of more than 1.5 per cent earlier, before falling back to just over 1.0 per cent now, as investors once more seek safe havens.
Only yesterday, it was revealed that gold had overtaken the Euro as central banks’ second-highest means of creating reserves.
FTSE 100 falls in morning trading
Friday 13 June 2025 08:45
,
Karl Matchett
On our European stock markets, there’s an awful lot of red around early this morning.
FTSE 100 -0.6 per cent
FTSE 250 -1.1pc
DAX -1.37pc
CAC 40 -1.19pc
Euro STOXX 50 -1.09pc
Oil prices surge after Israel attacks Iran
Friday 13 June 2025 08:29
,
Karl Matchett
The price of crude oil shot up early on this morning, following attacks by Israel on Iran which have escalated tensions and the risk of war.
Brent crude oil jumped to just under $76 a barrel before dropping back somewhat, now at $71.65 to show a 4.7 per cent rise.
Crude oil is still 5 per cent up having also hit $75 earlier.
Business and stock markets news live
Friday 13 June 2025 07:55
,
Karl Matchett
As is usual, not too many companies are reporting on a Friday.
But of those that are, Lindsell Train Investment Trust reporting their finals will be of interest, given previous outflows and more recent suggestion that investors are returning to active, rather than passive, funds.
Energy firm SSE will also be filing their annual report.
And, if you happen to hold the likes of Unilever, Tritax Big Box REIT or insurance behemoth Admiral Group, you can expect a payment today - they’re all on the list of different dividend payers for Friday. Enjoy.
Business news live on Friday
Friday 13 June 2025 07:50
,
Karl Matchett
Good morning and welcome to Friday’s edition of The Independent’s rolling coverage of business and stock markets news.
The FTSE 100 will open today from a record high closing price, set on Thursday at 8884.92p.
Falling stocks in the US in part led to that of late, but the perceived undervaluation of UK plc has been much spoken about over the last couple of years and both investors and other companies alike have been taking advantage, with share-buying and entire company-buying prevalent in 2025.
Let’s see where today takes us.
FTSE finds a new high
Thursday 12 June 2025 16:58
,
Karl Matchett
The FTSE 100 has closed at 8884.92p, a new all time high for closing price.
It leaves the benchmark index up 8.7 per cent in 2025, following today’s 0.23 per cent gain.
That’s it for today’s news - thanks for joining and we’ll return again on Friday morning from 8am.
Thursday 12 June 2025 15:32
,
Karl Matchett
A few words on oil prices from Zain Vawda, market analyst at MarketPulse:
“Oil prices surged yesterday ending the day with a 5.4 per cent gain on heightened geopolitical risk from the Middle East. A decision by the US to lighten embassy staff in Iraq and move personnel in the Middle East ahead of nuclear talks with Iran raised eyebrows.
“Today however, has seen Oil prices slide in European trade, down as much as 2.2 per cent at the time of writing, trading at 66.75 a barrel.
“A potential escalation with Iran could have massive implications for Oil markets. The biggest concern being a supply disruption as around 20 per cent of the world's Oil passes through the Straight of Hormuz.
“The narrow chokepoint could become a key area of focus in the event of regional tensions with Britain's maritime agency warning that rising tensions in the area could lead to more military activity, which might affect shipping in key waterways.
“From a technical analysis standpoint, oil broke a significant descending trendline which had been in play since January 2025. However the move only occurred on the back of US-Iran tensions.”
Interest rates to get cut?
Thursday 12 June 2025 14:32
,
Karl Matchett
Last month the Bank of England cut interest rates to 4.25 per cent and most analysts at the time expected an ongoing one cut per quarter.
The economic landscape is quickly changing every week this year it seems, however, and analysts are mixed over whether next week’s MPC meeting will result in another cut.
Recent jobs and salary data are an indication that another cut is possible, but higher inflation figures than expected last time out put the case forward for staying higher, longer.
Financial markets are still just about pricing in two further cuts this year, down to 3.75 per cent.
US stocks: Oracle to rise but futures show S&P 500 to open lower
Thursday 12 June 2025 14:00
,
Karl Matchett
A little while ahead of opening, caution and uncertainty around trade deals mean stocks are set to open lower in the US today.
The S&P 500 is down 0.3 per cent in pre-trading and the Nasdaq is 0.5 per cent down.
However, a few individual winners can be seen before the opening bell too.
Oracle are up more than 8.3 per cent after posting a better than expected earnings report last night and shares are now up close to last December’s highs.
