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Cards overtake cash as Brits get more comfortable swiping
The Bank of England might be in the middle of upgrading our cash from paper to plastic, but it appears consumers are well ahead of the curve, with new data suggesting Britons are using cards more than the folding stuff for the first time ever.
US close: Markets mixed ahead of Yellen testimony
Markets on Wall Street finished on a mixed note on Tuesday, ahead of an eagerly-awaited Congressional testimony from the country's central bank chief, Janet Yellen, on Wednesday.
Bonds: Top Fed officials sound more cautious note
These were the movements in some of the most widely-followed 10-year sovereign bond yields: US: 2. 36% (-1bp)UK: 1. 28% (+1bp)Germany: 0. 55% (+1bp)France: 0. 92% (+1bp)Spain: 1. 69% (+2bp)Italy: 2. 32% (+5bp)Portugal: 3. 15% (+2bp)Greece: 3. 15% (+2bp)Japan: 0. 10% (+0bp) .
A falling dollar lifts all commodities
Commodities traded on the frontfoot as the US dollar gave back some ground following remarks from German chancellor Angela Merkel (and ahead of a key speech from US central bank chief Janet Yellen the next day) alongside supportive newsflow for various specific segments of the market.
Europe close: Stoxx 600 ends near worst levels since end of March
Stocks finished near their worst levels of the day, although losses were restrained, after the son of US president Donald Trump published the electronic mails which showed him discussing a possible meeting to hear damaging information about Hillary Clinton from someone with possible links to Moscow.
Amino Technologies boasts robust first-half growth
Amino Technologies, the global provider of digital TV entertainment and cloud solutions delivered a first half performance that was in-line with its own expectations, while expressing confidence in the outlook.
Aldi boosts headcount by 4,000 in expansion drive
Aldi said it was undertaking its largest ever recruitment and training drive in the UK in order to capitalise on its continued strong growth.
London close: FTSE falls retailers tills ring hollow
London shares finished lower on Tuesday as the pound ticked up but with losses limited by a strong performance from the mining sector and as the pound lost momentum.
UK retail enjoys 'shot lived' bloom amid better weather, BRC-KPMG survey shows
Hot weather helped UK retail sales pick up more than expected last month, according to a survey of the sector that indicated a positive contribution to economic growth for the second quarter of the year but perhaps not much longer.
Wall Street turns lower after Trump Jr. releases e-mails
Wall Street turned lower on Wednesday afternoon after the son of US president Donald Trump released the electronic mails showing him planning to hear allegedly damaging information about Hillary Clinton with publicist Rob Goldstone.
Europe close:
Paris aims to become main European financial hub post-Brexit, French PM says
The French capital of Paris is gunning to become the financial centre of Europe in the aftermath of Brexit, according to the country’s prime minister Edouard Philippe.
Broker tips: Carillion, Pearson, Bellway
Embattled construction and support group Carillion plummeted lower for a second day on Tuesday, as analysts picked apart the company's horrendous trading update at the start of the week.
Credit Suisse boosts Bellway target price, still 'top pick'
Analysts at Credit Suisse hiked their target price on shares of Bellway, highlighting the company's improved guidance and its ability to increase its rate of completions still further thanks to strong demand for affordable housing.
FTSE 250 movers: Same again as Carillion and retailers lead falls
The FTSE 250 index fell for a second day on Tuesday, with retailers and Carillion again the main cause of the mid cap malaise.
Boris Johnson: No government plan in event of no Brexit deal
Foreign secretary Boris Johnson has slammed the exit fees demanded by the European Union as ‘extortionate’ and admitted the government has no plan for a situation in which a Brexit deal cannot be agreed with the bloc.
Results round-up
Construction group Galliford Try said its full year profits would be at the upper end of analysts forecasts of £46m - £59m although it sounded a note of caution about political uncertainty in the UK after June's General Election.
M&S sales fall in first quarter despite Easter boost
Marks & Spencer's struggles continued into its new financial year, with like-for-like sales remaining negative in the first quarter as the retailer reined in discounting against an unforgiving market backdrop.
Carillion plunges lower as analysts highlight further risks
Embattled construction and support group Carillion plummeted lower for a second day on Tuesday, as analysts picked apart the company's horrendous trading update at the start of the week.
