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As of October 2025, several UK companies, including Shawbrook, Princes Group, and The Beauty Tech Group, are preparing to list on the London Stock Exchange. Shawbrook targets a £2 billion valuation, aiming to raise £50 million, while Princes and Beauty Tech seek funds to expand their operations. This surge marks a rebound in London's IPO activity after years of decline.
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Recent data shows signs of stabilisation in the UK and Hong Kong labour markets, with slight increases in unemployment and slowing wage growth. Both regions face economic uncertainties, but some indicators suggest a potential easing of job market declines. The UK’s unemployment rose to 4.8%, while Hong Kong’s rate reached 3.7%. Wage growth is slowing, and vacancies are decreasing, but payrolls are stabilising.
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Recent data shows UK inflation steady at 3.8% for September, below expectations, with food prices falling. Japan's inflation stayed at 2.8%, while euro area growth slowed to 0.9%. Central banks face pressure to adjust policies amid persistent price pressures.
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European governments are increasingly restricting Chinese investments in strategic sectors amid US-led tensions with Beijing. The Netherlands seized a Chinese-owned chipmaker, Nexperia, citing national security concerns, reflecting broader efforts to safeguard critical assets amid rising geopolitical rivalry and recent US and Chinese export restrictions.
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UK markets experienced volatility amid political tensions and fiscal policy uncertainty. The pound weakened due to fears over upcoming budget plans, while bond yields fluctuated. Gold prices surged on global economic concerns, reflecting investor demand for safe assets. Economic data and political developments continue to influence market sentiment.
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UK inflation slowed in October, with consumer prices rising 3.6%, down from 3.8% in September. Citi suggests this could increase the likelihood of a Bank of England rate cut in December. Markets are watching upcoming US earnings and jobs data for further direction.
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UK inflation fell to 3.6% in October, easing pressure on the Bank of England to cut interest rates. Markets anticipate a rate cut in December amid slowing growth and a weakening labor market, with the upcoming budget expected to influence policy decisions.
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The UK government announced a reduction in the annual cash ISA limit from £20,000 to £12,000 starting April 2027, excluding over-65s. The move aims to promote investment but faces criticism over its potential to discourage savings and increase complexity, with additional reforms to pension schemes and higher taxes on savings income.
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A technical outage at CyrusOne data centers caused a halt in CME Group trading for over 11 hours, affecting futures across stocks, commodities, and currencies. Trading resumed Friday morning, but the incident raised concerns about market reliability during a holiday week with low volumes.