Finance

Finance · 26 October 2026

Paris Baguettes, Bonds and a Bit of a Crisis

Iris Quay, London desk

Violent protests that saw municipal buildings set ablaze and shops looted sparked a sharp sell‑off in French bonds, widening the spread with German debt and prompting investors to flee to safety.

Finance · 26 October 2026

City Economists Say BoE Won’t Hit 4.75% by Summer – Full‑Point Hike Unlikely

Iris Quay, London desk

City economists warn that the Bank of England is unlikely to raise interest rates by a full percentage point by next summer and could even cut them by the end of 2027, contradicting market forecasts of a 4.75% rate.

Finance · 24 October 2026

Volvo’s Shares Dive to Record Lows as 2,500 Jobs Cut

Iris Quay, London desk

Volvo Cars announced a further 2,500 job cuts as a sales slump pushes its share price to a new record low.

Finance · 22 October 2026

Chancellor’s Budget Game: Can You Beat the Real Deal?

Iris Quay, London desk

The Guardian’s interactive game lets you try your hand at being chancellor, but the real test comes on 28 October when John Healey presents the autumn budget and must keep MPs and bond markets onside.

Finance · 22 October 2026

Inflation Hits New High, City’s Stiff Upper Lip Persists

Iris Quay, London desk

Inflation has risen to its highest level this year, surprising analysts and leaving the City to joke about a “tea‑tax” while the Bank of England weighs its next move.

Finance · 21 October 2026

Nasdaq wobble sparks AI‑stock reassessment

Iris Quay, London desk

A recent dip in the tech‑heavy Nasdaq has prompted AI‑focused investors and analysts to re‑evaluate the underlying value of AI‑driven companies, questioning whether the sector’s rapid rise is sustainable.

Finance · 21 October 2026

John Healey’s Budget Balances on a Tightrope of Inflation and Borrowing

Iris Quay, London desk

Inflation and borrowing figures released on Wednesday have left Chancellor John Healey juggling constraints as he puts the final touches on his Budget. The challenge is to keep spending in line while the economy’s pr…

Finance · 21 October 2026

Petrol Prices Pump Up September UK Inflation – City’s Coffee Breaks Get Pricier

Iris Quay, London desk

UK inflation rose in September, with higher petrol and diesel prices identified as the main drivers, adding pressure to households and markets.

Finance · 21 October 2026

Fuel Prices Take the City’s Wallets on a Rollercoaster to 3.5%

Iris Quay, London desk

The ONS reports that soaring fuel costs pushed UK inflation to 3.5% in September, a jump from 3.1% in the previous year, setting a new stage for the forthcoming Budget.