All news by author: Lawrence Matheson

1101
Next set to deliver bumper profits despite the squeeze on consumer spending
The company has already upgraded its profit outlook five times over the past year as it has outperformed rivals amid a challenging economic backdrop
907
JD.com walks away from Currys takeover talks ending prospects of bidding battle
The Chinese online retailing giant said it did not intend on making an offer to buy the retailer
1201
Bank of England expected to leave interest rates unchanged, says top economist
The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee will meet during the week to see if the economy is showing signs that it's time to start cutting rates
641
Nissan and Honda are joining forces to develop electric and self-driving cars
Nissan and Honda have announced they will work together in developing electric vehicles and auto intelligence technology, sectors where Japanese automakers have fallen behind
680
China's regulator vows to raise listed firms quality and tackle market abuses
The markets regulator on Friday renewed its efforts to pep up the stock market, pledging to raise the quality of companies listed on domestic markets
580
Strike action threat at South Western Railway in row over working arrangements
Strikes could be held by members at South Western Railway in a dispute about the "imposition" of changed working times
1019
More than 2,000 UK firms went bust last month, new figures show
The level of company insolvencies spiked in February with cosmetics chain The Body Shop among the high street brands to collapse into administration
1141
Barratt's £2.5 billion Redrow takeover to be probed by competition watchdog
The Competition and Markets Authority said it was investigating the proposed acquisition by Barratt Developments of rival Redrow
583
How to reach out for help if you are struggling under a mountain of debt
The 10th anniversary of Debt Awareness Week is on the horizon, and it's important to know what support is available if you're struggling with debt
1188
Office for National Statistics staff threaten stike action over home working row
Around 1,000 members of the Public and Commercial Services Union will vote in the coming weeks on whether to launch a campaign of industrial action.
1152
Tech firms need to 'act now' to protect children from online harm, says Ofcom
The regulator said the 247 children it spoke to during a research workshop had commonly encountered violent 18+ gaming content, verbal discrimination and fighting
1100
Deliveroo boss says 'weight of inflation' is easing after takeaway costs soared
Will Shu, the platform's founder and chief executive, said some consumers started viewing food delivery as non-essential when the cost-of-living crisis worsened
786
Coventry Building Society savings account pays 6.75%, but only if you're 'loyal'
The account lasts for 12 months and savers can deposit up to £250 each month
491
Berkeley Group on track to report £550m pre-tax profit despite house sale fall
The group, which specialises in urban regeneration projects and higher-end homes, told investors that it is on track to report a pre-tax profit of £550m
995
easyJet holidays says new animal welfare policy will promote responsible travel
The move means that easyJet holidays will not offer or promote any harmful animal-based attractions within their tours and activities programme
1077
Vodafone agrees to sell Italian arm of business to Swisscom for £6.8 billion
The mobile phone giant said it plans to hand four billion euros (£3.4 billion) back to shareholders through a buyback following the sale
831
Amazon opens first disaster relief hub in Europe to help victims in time of need
The centre will be filled with 1,000 pallets of relief items most needed following damaging storms, earthquakes, wildfires, floods, and other emergencies
843
Vistry to build more than 17,500 homes as it expects rise in demand to continue
The business said that it would accelerate the rate at which it was building from 16,118 homes completed last year
415
Trainline shares soar as ticket sales hit £5.3 billion boosted by rising demand
The online ticketing platform told investors that group net ticket sales increased by 22% to £5.3 billion over the year to February 29
668
Savills profits tumble as 'extremely subdued' global property market takes toll
The estate agency said it had been hit by the lowest levels of sales volumes in real estate markets for a decade, as well as restructuring costs
657
HSBC warning of March spike in scams that saw £1.1m stolen in a month last year
HSBC UK said that over £1 million was reported stolen from its customers by impersonation scammers - some posing as HM Revenue and Customs ahead of end of year tax returns - in March 2023, with people being defrauded out of £5,791 on average
632
Nestle faces shareholder vote over sale of foods high in salt, sugar and fat
A group of shareholders wants Nestle to improve the food it offers to consumers so that it impacts postively on their health
510
John Lewis warns more jobs could be cut to save costs despite return to profit
The John Lewis Partnership has cautioned over possible job cuts in the year ahead as part of an overhaul
608
Major water firm to pay out almost £40m after misleading over poor performance
Ofwat said an investigation that started in May last year found evidence of a 'significant failure of governance and management oversight' at Welsh Water
615
Bank transfers could be delayed by up to four days under new plan to stop scams
The UK has seen an increase in authorised 'push payment' fraud over the past few years, and in 2022 victims lost £485 million to such scams, the Government said