Business news

• Coronavirus: New insolvency law to help businesses survive in face of 'aggressive debt recovery' during pandemic

  20-05-2020 23:14 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  Businesses struggling to stay afloat through the Covid-19 crisis could be saved by new rules designed to protect them from "aggressive debt recovery" and stop them going bust.The government introduced new insolvency legislation on Wednesday, giving companies time to restructure, refinance and keep trading when they might otherwise go out of business because of debts caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
  
  Read more

• Rolls-Royce takes radical course as clouds close in on aviation

  20-05-2020 22:44
  Aero-engine maker grapples with 30% contraction in market that delivers half its £16bn turnover
  
  Read more

• Ford shuts two U.S. assembly plants due to COVID-19 infections

  20-05-2020 22:25 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  Ford Motor Coon Wednesday closed two U.S. assembly plants as the coronavirus pandemic wreaked early havoc with the No. 2 U.S. automaker's plan to restart North American production and begin making its most profitable vehicles again.Ford closed its Dearborn, Michigan, plant due to a positive COVID-19 test by one worker, while its Chicago assembly plant was closed due to a parts shortage, Ford spokeswoman Kelli Felker said.
  
  Read more

• UK gilts flash a negative sign for the Bank of England

  20-05-2020 22:19
  Mike Mackenzie’s daily analysis of what’s moving global markets
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Coronavirus: Chancellor 'could extend mortgage holiday'

  20-05-2020 21:58 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The Chancellor is believed to be discussing ways of extending the three month mortgage holiday.
  
  Read more

• Amazon delivery driver says he was fired for asking about coronavirus precautions

  20-05-2020 21:56 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  A contract delivery driver at an Amazon facility in Indiana alleges that he was fired by his employer for voicing concerns about coronavirus safety measures, in a case similar to other complaints against both Amazon and its third-party contractors by workers.In this case, FAE Distributors,an independent company contracted by Amazon to deliver packages as a “Delivery Service partner”, operates at the Amazon warehouse in Gary, Indiana, where the company hires and trains workers to deli
  
  Read more

• Microsoft Build 2020: All the biggest announcements from annual developer conference

  20-05-2020 21:20 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  Despite the coronavirus pandemic putting large gatherings on hold, Microsoft Build – the technology giant’s annual developer conference – went ahead this week, albeit virtually.The company announced numerous new features for the future of its operating system, Windows 10, including a search-bar similar to Spotlight on Apple’s computers and “Fluid Office” – a competitor to Google’s suite of online office applications such as Docs, Sheets, and Slides
  
  Read more

• EU 'green' recovery to target buildings, clean power, hydrogen - draft

  20-05-2020 21:01 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  European Union plans for an environmentally-friendly economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic will target building renovation, renewable energy and clean hydrogen fuel, according to a draft document seen by Reuters.The draft, due to be published on May 27, lays out how the European Commission plans to use low-carbon investments to battle the bloc's virus-induced economic downturn.The Commission declined to comment on the draft, which may change before publication.
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Fed mulls firmer rate guidance, adding dates or goals, minutes show

  20-05-2020 21:00 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  "While participants agreed that the current stance of monetary policy remained appropriate, they noted that the Committee could, at upcoming meetings, further clarify its intentions with respect to its future monetary policy decisions," according to minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee's April 28-29 meeting, released Wednesday with the usual three-week lag."The Committee could also consider date-based forward guidance that would indicate that the target range could be raised only after a
  
  Read more

• Fed debates longer-term crisis-fighting plan, minutes show

  20-05-2020 21:00 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  Among ideas U.S. central bankers discussed at April's policy-setting meeting, according to minutes released Wednesday: more detailed guidance for the path of short-term interest rates, and capping long-term interest rates.The Fed used the former in the last crisis; the latter would be a first for the Fed.There was no discussion of negative interest rates, a controversial approach to policy supported by U.S. President Donald Trump and in use in Europe and Japan, but seen by U.S. central bankers a
  
  Read more

• Monzo co-founder Tom Blomfield stands down as chief executive

  20-05-2020 20:53 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  Monzo co-founder Tom Blomfield is standing down as chief executive to take up a new position as the payment company’s president, after waiving his salary for a year to save costs amid coronavirus. Mr Blomfield will be replaced by TS Anil, who is also chief executive officer of Monzo’s US newly launched operations. Mr Anil, former global head of payment products and platforms for Visa, was hired in December to head Monzo’s push into the US. The payment company appears to be stru
  
  Read more

• UK furniture stores to reopen in time for bank holiday weekend

  20-05-2020 20:50 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  UK furniture stores to reopen in time for bank holiday weekendFurniture Village to open all outlets on Saturday while DFS will open some sites on Friday* Coronavirus – latest updates* See all our coronavirus coverage
  
  Read more

• BoE says negative interest rates are ‘under review’ for first time

  20-05-2020 20:31
  Andrew Bailey, central bank governor, makes U-turn on position just a week ago
  
  Read more

• Volkswagen admits car advert racist, apologises

  20-05-2020 20:20 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  Volkswagenwithdrew on Wednesday an advert posted on its official Instagram page for its Golf cars that it admitted was racist and insulting, saying it would investigate how it came about and draw consequences.The German car company, which has seen its reputation tarnished in the last five years after it admitted cheating diesel emissions tests, said it did not tolerate any form of racism.German television noted that the hand could be interpreted as making a "white power" gesture, while letters t
  
  Read more

• Farms still need up to 40,000 UK workers to harvest fruit and veg

  20-05-2020 20:19 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  Farms still need up to 40,000 UK workers to harvest fruit and vegFarmers fear British workers will leave crop-picking jobs when lockdown eases* Coronavirus – latest updates* See all our coronavirus coverage
  
  Read more

• Government accepts schools may not open to more pupils on June 1

  20-05-2020 20:15
  More than 30 councils say varied Covid-19 infection rates mean some regions are not ready
  
  Read more

• VW pulls Instagram ads after racism row

  20-05-2020 20:14 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The German car giant has apologised and withdrawn a series of adverts after a racism row.
  
  Read more

• Investors are actually paying for the privilege of owning UK's IOUs

  20-05-2020 20:14 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  Investors are actually paying for the privilege of owning UK's IOUs. As inflation plummets, the bond market believes the coronavirus recession will be so severe the rate will go lower yet
  
  Read more

• Mortgage holiday could be extended for three months

  20-05-2020 20:10 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  The Chancellor is mulling plans to extend mortgage holidays for another three months for those still struggling financially due to the coronavirus pandemic. Rishi Sunak is working alongside the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the banking sector to provide further relief to UK homeowners, the Financial Times has reported. Sources said there would not be a "blanket" extension and that criteria could be tightened. They said the whole scheme would be kept open for new applications to prevent a
  
  Read more

• Comment: easyJet's hack was probably by a state, and probably by China

  20-05-2020 20:10 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  They’re never short of news at easyJet. Chief executive Johan Lundgren is this week wrestling with the worst airline crisis ever, a coup attempt by his biggest shareholder, and now a major hacking incident.None — including the bizarre behaviour of Stelios — are his fault.
  
  Read more

• Bank of England paves way for negative interest rates

  20-05-2020 20:01 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  Bank of England paves way for negative interest rates. Governor says all options are open after UK sells first ever bond with negative yield
  
  Read more

• Questor: another property-related trust whose income should be Covid-proof

  20-05-2020 19:57 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  Questor often recalls the words of one fund manager we spoke to last year: “If you want income, the best investment bar none is property.” That belief, expressed by Dean Orrico of Middlefield Canadian Income, has been vindicated by the events of the Covid epidemic. Readers will know that the Questor Income Portfolio has made a decisive shift towards property, where certain trusts offer virtually bombproof income. But it’s important to recognise that not all property trusts are
  
  Read more

• The UK needs to extend its EU transition period

  20-05-2020 19:56
  With or without a trade deal, the virus-hit economy would face extra burdens
  
  Read more

• BT executives to defer bonuses after scrapping dividend

  20-05-2020 19:53
  UK telecoms group moves to reassure investors after scrapping annual payout for first time since 1984
  
  Read more

• What is the Northern Ireland protocol: the Irish Sea border explained

  20-05-2020 19:46
  Michael Gove’s proposed “minimal” checks on goods are unlikely to satisfy Brussels
  
  Read more

• Apple and Google still in talks with UK about COVID-19 app technology

  20-05-2020 19:42 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  Apple and Google said they were continuing to talk to the British government about the technology used in its smartphone COVID-19 contact tracing app as the two companies released the initial version of their own system.Britain has started testing an app that matches contacts on a centralised server rather than the decentralised model favoured by Apple and Google where the matches occur on the users' device.Company representatives discussing the release of the Apple-Google exposure notification
  
  Read more

• Virgin Australia: fresh call for government bailout as stricken airline's cash reserves dwindle

  20-05-2020 19:30 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  Virgin Australia: fresh call for government bailout as stricken airline's cash reserves dwindle. Ahead of a meeting of key creditors, administrators are discussing options with the federal government
  
  Read more

• The latest slowdown of Covid-19 job losses has been touted as good news. Is it though?

  20-05-2020 19:30 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  The latest slowdown of Covid-19 job losses has been touted as good news. Is it though?. We are not losing jobs at the same speed we did when the shutdowns occurred but it is a bit early to start relaxing
  
  Read more

• Asian, European jet fuel margins rise on supply cuts, more flights

  20-05-2020 19:29 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  Asian refining margins for jet fuel turned positive for the first time in a month and European margins rose to the highest level in three weeks on Wednesday, bolstered by deep supply cuts and an uptick in flights in regional markets.The jet fuel refining margin in Singapore flipped to $1.83 per barrel above Dubai crude on Tuesday, in positive territory for the first time since April 20.Measures imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus have caused jet fuel demand to plunge since February, le
  
  Read more

• What does the future hold for the Whitbread share price?

  20-05-2020 19:28 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  The Whitbread (LON:WTB) share price has risen by 9.04% over the past month and it’s currently trading at 2843. For investors considering whether to buy, hold o...
  
  Read more

• What does the future hold for the Netcall share price?

  20-05-2020 19:28 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  The Netcall (LON:NET) share price has risen by 3.17% over the past month and it’s currently trading at 32.5. For investors considering whether to buy, hold or...
  
  Read more

• What does the future hold for the Lamprell share price?

  20-05-2020 19:28 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  The Lamprell (LON:LAM) share price has risen by 4.27% over the past month and it’s currently trading at 20.5. For investors considering whether to buy, hold or...
  
  Read more

• Upbeat broker recommendations for Jersey Oil And Gas

  20-05-2020 19:28 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  The Jersey Oil And Gas (LON:JOG) share price has risen by 11.8% over the past month and it’s currently trading at 87. For investors considering whether to buy,...
  
  Read more

• Upbeat broker recommendations for Hill amp; Smith Holdings

  20-05-2020 19:28 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  The Hill amp;amp; Smith Holdings (LON:HILS) share price has risen by 7.27% over the past month and it’s currently trading at 1180. For investors considering w...
  
  Read more

• Upbeat broker recommendations for Electrocomponents

  20-05-2020 19:28 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  The Electrocomponents (LON:ECM) share price has risen by 6.25% over the past month and it’s currently trading at 608. For investors considering whether to buy,...
  
  Read more

• The Premier Miton share price – where next?

  20-05-2020 19:28 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  The Premier Miton (LON:PMI) share price has risen by 10.8% over the past month and it’s currently trading at 101. For investors considering whether to buy, hol...
  
  Read more

• The Accesso Technology share price – where next?

  20-05-2020 19:28 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  The Accesso Technology (LON:ACSO) share price has risen by 61.5% over the past month and it’s currently trading at 320. For investors considering whether to bu...
  
  Read more

• Brokers upbeat on Wandisco despite economic uncertainty

  20-05-2020 19:28 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  The Wandisco (LON:WAND) share price has risen by 1.85% over the past month and it’s currently trading at 566. For investors considering whether to buy, hold or...
  
  Read more

• Brokers bullish on Sdx Energy shares

  20-05-2020 19:28 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  The Sdx Energy (LON:SDX) share price has risen by 16.7% over the past month and it’s currently trading at 18. For investors considering whether to buy, hold or...
  
  Read more

• Brokers bullish on Dfs Furniture shares

  20-05-2020 19:28 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  The Dfs Furniture (LON:DFS) share price has risen by 18.5% over the past month and it’s currently trading at 157.8. For investors considering whether to buy, h...
  
  Read more

• Analysts upbeat on the outlook for Micro Focus International

  20-05-2020 19:28 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  The Micro Focus International (LON:MCRO) share price has risen by 22.8% over the past month and it’s currently trading at 424.1. For investors considering whet...
  
  Read more

• Analysts upbeat on the outlook for Mccoll's Retail

  20-05-2020 19:28 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  The Mccoll's Retail (LON:MCLS) share price has risen by 7.14% over the past month and it’s currently trading at 44.95. For investors considering whether to buy...
  
  Read more

• Analysts optimistic on Velocys outlook

  20-05-2020 19:28 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  The Velocys (LON:VLS) share price has risen by 23.4% over the past month and it’s currently trading at 3.875. For investors considering whether to buy, hold or...
  
  Read more

• Analysts optimistic on Scapa outlook

  20-05-2020 19:28 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  The Scapa (LON:SCPA) share price has risen by 4.69% over the past month and it’s currently trading at 109. For investors considering whether to buy, hold or se...
  
  Read more

• Analysts optimistic on Ceres Power Holdings outlook

  20-05-2020 19:28 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  The Ceres Power Holdings (LON:CWR) share price has risen by 34.8% over the past month and it’s currently trading at 473. For investors considering whether to b...
  
  Read more

• EU regulators seek feedback ahead of new tough tech rules

  20-05-2020 19:24 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  EU regulators are seeking feedback from users and digital service providers before drafting rules that could rein in Google , Facebook , Amazon , Uberand other tech companies, an EU document seen by Reuters showed.A 43-page questionnaire to be sent to members of the public, digital services providers and EU governments in coming weeks covers topics such as the power of "gatekeepers", online platforms' liability for illegal or harmful content, gig economy workers and transparency around online ad
  
  Read more

• Could ratification process be iceberg that sinks EU recovery plan?

  20-05-2020 19:04 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  The likely need for all member states to ratify the giant EU coronavirus recovery plan could be its undoing if it runs into choppy domestic political waters in some or all of the 27 parliaments, officials and diplomats said on Wednesday.The rest of the member states are now jockeying to win most benefits for themselves from the fund and the linked joint EU budget for 2021-27.One envisaged element has already raised red flags: the necessary approval by national parliaments of a planned increase t
  
  Read more

• Markets remain hopeful as Bank of England comments help boost optimism

  20-05-2020 19:01 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  Andrew Bailey told MPs on the Treasury Select Committee it would be "foolish" to rule out negative interest rates.
  
  Read more

• Coronavirus changing shopping habits 'for ever', says M&S chief

  20-05-2020 19:00 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  Coronavirus changing shopping habits 'for ever', says M&S chiefCrisis is triggering changes in how people dress and eat, some of which will endure, says Steve Rowe* Coronavirus – latest updates* See all our coronavirus coverage
  
  Read more

• Apple and Google contact-tracing software released

  20-05-2020 19:00 via uk.finance.yahoo.com
  
  The Exposure Notification software can be used in official health authority apps as part of contact-tracing measures.
  
  Read more

Follow @Business_UKnews on Twitter!