hotshots

UK HEADS FOR NEGATIVE RATES

mchotshots — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 10:49:02 +0000

A No Deal Brexit could lead to the Bank of England cutting its base rate to 0% or even into negative territory before February next year.

ETF provider GraniteShares also warned that the failure to secure a deal with the EU could lead to a fall in Sterling, and increase the chances of the Bank of England introducing further Quantitative Easing (QE) measures.

In terms of UK listed stocks, GraniteShares says those most sensitive to a no deal Brexit could be banks, housebuilders and those stocks with a strong focus on the UK market, which includes many FTSE 250 companies.

Will Rhind, Founder and CEO of GraniteShares said: “UK stocks that have a strong focus on the domestic market will likely suffer from lower GDP growth resulting from any disruption to output and trade. A fall in Sterling, and lower real incomes will likely impact UK consumers who could face a rise in the cost of goods they buy.”

Kickstart Splutters Into Gear

mchotshots — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 11:06:15 +0000

Over 32,000 jobs for young people have been created by the Government’s new £2billion Kickstart scheme in its first month of operation.

This is despite only 11% of applications for the programme being given the go-ahead since its launch in early November.

According to figures obtained by a source under a Freedom of Information request the Department for Work and Pensions said it had created 32,113 job placements for unemployed young people.

It had received 5,452 applications from employers and gateway organisations since they opened in the summer, of which 3,078 had been rejected. Only 602 applications have been approved.

The scheme gives 16-24-year olds claiming Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment a chance to build their confidence and skills in the workplace. The 6 months job placements are available in a wide range of areas from tech, to construction and media.

Honey Helps Hunt For Covid-19 Vaccine

mchotshots — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 10:34:09 +0000

A new honey-infused vodka could help researchers find a Covid-19 vaccine.

The British Honey Company, which makes a range of honey-infused spirits, is launching a special charity edition premium vodka to support global research into the devastating virus.

Sold under its Keepr’s brand 25% of all sales of the vodka by value will be donated to provide financial support to a number of organisations involved in critical global research to help tackle the current pandemic.

Michael Williams, CEO of British Honey, said: “The work carried out by these organisations is all about guiding and supporting research within the poorer nations of the world which can sometimes find themselves left behind and includes testing drugs and vaccines in all settings. The funds we are donating will help towards the gathering of global evidence and data on the pandemic, especially its effects within second and third world countries.”

Honey Helps Hunt For Covid-19 Vaccine

mchotshots — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 10:32:20 +0000

A new honey-infused vodka could help researchers find a Covid-19 vaccine.

The British Honey Company, which makes a range of honey-infused spirits, is launching a special charity edition premium vodka to support global research into the devastating virus.

Matt Fletcher, Direct Sourcing Manager, The Midcounties Cooperative, added:

“Supporting our communities and members has, and always will be at the heart of what we do. We are delighted to be associated with BHC, as a “local” company, in their efforts to provide financial assistance to The Global Health Network for the critical research work being carried out by them.”

Mr Williams concluded:

“We believe that individuals and businesses alike have a duty to do whatever they can to defeat this global pandemic. At BHC, we are proud of our efforts to date in this regard, especially the development, manufacture and sale from scratch, of our own alcohol-based sanitiser products. This latest initiative, supporting vital research into the causes, containment and solutions to the current COVID-19 pandemic, has enabled us to make another modest contribution towards that goal.”

UK PRODUCTIVITY SET TO COLLAPSE

mchotshots — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 10:21:01 +0000

UK workers are doing over two hours less work a day during the lockdown raising fears of a drastic drop in productivity.

According to a study of over 2,000 UK remote workers by behavioural science consultancy Mind Gym employees claim they can do 2 hours and 20 minutes less work each day without their boss noticing. This equates to almost a third less work each week.

One third of the UK workforce said they felt less motivated working remotely and a quarter feel tired and exhausted. A fifth said they are suffering from loneliness and did not knowing what is going on day-to-day in their wider team.

OWNERS DIG INTO OWN POCKETS TO KEEP BUSINESS AFLOAT

mchotshots — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 08:24:53 +0000

One in seven SME owners are using personal savings to prop up their business despite Government support.

New research from Nucleus Commercial Finance found that only a quarter of SMEs have avoided reaching into their own pockets to survive.

Two fifths of SMEs said they have been negatively impacted by coronavirus and the subsequent lockdown and have either applied for or considered seeking additional financial support. Of this group 13% have extended an existing loan/finance facility, 12% have already taken out a new loan/finance facility, 11% are considering applying for a loan/new finance facility and 7% have applied for a loan/new finance facility.

Chirag Shah, CEO, Nucleus Commercial Finance, said: “As the economic impact of the pandemic becomes clearer, it is alarming that SME owners continue to use personal savings to support their business. While some owners might believe that this is the best option for short-term cash flow needs, taking this measure can have a detrimental effect on the business and also their personal situation, especially if activity does not improve immediately once lockdown measures are eased.”

AVIATION TO GO THE WAY OF COAL

mchotshots — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 07:59:40 +0000

The aviation industry is set to lose ‘at least’ 70,000 jobs on a scale with the collapse of the coal sector in the early 1980’s.

A new paper from the New Economics Foundation, in collaboration with the TUC, aviation unions and climate action charity Possible, said the jobs were at risk both in the sector itself and its supply chain.

It warned that without Government intervention that number could soar to 124,000 jobs.

The report calls for a workers’ bailout for the aviation industry that uses the already established job retention scheme to support those in roles that are vulnerable due to the impacts of the Covid-19 crisis, automation, and the need to reduce carbon emissions. The proposed plan would ensure any bailouts given to airlines would support workers transitioning out of the sector, while reducing aviation emissions in line with the UK’s climate commitments.
Alex Chapman, researcher at the New Economics Foundation, said: “The aviation industry faces job losses on a par with the worst years of the UK coal industry decline in the 1980s. We must take lessons from that period.”

STUDENTS MISSING UNIVERSITY LIFE

mchotshots — Tue, 09 Jun 2020 08:28:35 +0000

Less than a fifth of University students are enjoying remote studying during the Covid-19 lockdown and are eager to return ahead of the next academic year.

According to research by Unite Students and carried out by Opinium, 89% are keen to get on campus once it is safe to do so declaring that living away from home and being on campus is as important a part of their university experience as lectures and tutorials.

A worrying 91% are concerned about disruption to studies while 79% are fretting about the impact on socialising.

Only 14% prefer remote learning as a way of studying with 45% saying they like it a lot less.

Flyer Fails To Lift FTSE – Market Report

mchotshots — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 16:16:26 +0000

June 8th, 2020
Hopes that the airline industry could be successful in overturning the UK governments quarantine for overseas travellers helped British Airways owner IAG take off today.
IAG climbed 4.10p to 331.6p as it was also boosted by hopes that European lockdowns will keep easing in the weeks ahead.
“The surge in travel- and airline-related names comes on the day when the UK implements a quarantine for overseas travel. It looks like the market expects the restriction to remain in place for only a limited time,” said Chris Beauchamp at IG.
Other travel stocks to do well included cruise operator Carnival sailing 142p smoother to 1573.5p. But EasyJet plunged 11p to 880.2p.
Overall, the FTSE 100 finished the day down 11.71 points at 6472.59.
The main drag was drugs firm AstraZeneca down 227p to 8200p despite rumours that it was eyeing up a bid for Gilead, whose remdesivir drug shows promise in treating Covid-19.
“The healthcare sector pulled the FTSE 100 down as AstraZeneca was marked lower on reports it had approached Gilead Sciences about a possible merger. Investors are unlikely to welcome a large M&A deal at a time when both companies are trying to fight coronavirus as it could prove to be a distraction to management. The timing seems wrong when both companies have such important work to do,” said Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell.
Housebuilders did well with Barratt up 29p to 579.2p and Taylor Wimpey 5.05p bulkier at 166.45p. Rolls Royce also motored forward 42.5p to 398.4p with ITV performing strongly up 2.66p to 90.86p.
Other big fallers included online grocer Ocado down 139.5p to 1983.5p and JD Sports Fashion 26.2p shabbier at 665p.

ZOOMING AHEAD

mchotshots — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 12:20:37 +0000

Video communications platform Zoom has recorded booming sales as families and workplaces use it to stay in touch during the Covid-19 pandemic. According to data obtained by Buyshares.co.uk revenues grew by 168.85% to $328million by the first quarter of the fiscal year 2021. It is expected that by the second quarter this year revenues will … Continue reading