Zopa first UK bank to be green lit to roll out targeted support May 19, 2026 Zopa Bank has received regulatory approval to roll out targeted support for its investment customers, marking it as the first UK bank to get the green light. The bank joins a range of financial firms, including Royal London, Quilter and Vanguard, which has secured targeted support permissions since the scheme went live on 6 April. [...]
Millions of Brits face retirement ‘cliff-edge’ after not saving enough May 19, 2026 Millions of Brits are not saving enough to retire, leaving them facing a significant ‘cliff-edge’ upon leaving the workforce, a government-backed report has warned. The Pensions Commission, which was revitalised by the government to address the savings shortfall across the UK, said 15m people are not currently saving enough for retirement. The group warned this [...]
Dr Martens shares rocket after kicking down costs May 19, 2026 Dr Martens shares rocketed in early morning trading on Tuesday, after sharp cost-cutting across the business delivered significant profit growth. Shares in the shoemaker soared 8.5 per cent in early trading to 69.8p, with shares up 22.1 per cent over the last year, following its latest annual results. But the share price remains down 7.4 [...]
UK Private Capital raises alarm over ‘slow and unclear’ progress from Mansion House signatories May 19, 2026 A leading private capital trade body has raised the alarm over the lack of urgency from Mansion House signatories to meet their commitments and increase allocations into venture capital. UK Private Capital, which was previously known as the British Venture Capital Association, has called on signatories to work faster, after uncovering limited evidence of any [...]
ETF demand surges and cash appetite grows amid Iran conflict May 18, 2026 Demand for ETFs has surged in the first quarter of the financial year as investors look to further diversify their portfolios to avoid market concentration and the fallout of the Iran war, with some increasing their cash holdings. The average exchange traded-funds (ETFs) holding has doubled in the past five years, increasing from six per [...]
Platinum prices soar amid supply deficit and AI demand May 18, 2026 Platinum group metals saw significant price gains over the course of 2025, after tightening physical supplies and increasing retail and institutional investor interest hiked costs. Platinum’s average price rocketed 33 per cent last year, hitting $1,280 (£985.5) per ounce, up from $960 the prior year, according to the latest report from Metals Focus. The price [...]
Investing in space tech is the new frontier May 13, 2026 After SpaceX, more investors are looking to the stars. Maisie Grice talks to the co-founder of Seraphim Space Investment Trust about investing’s final frontier Twelve years ago, investing in space technology was perceived as science fiction, but Mark Boggett saw an opportunity. While some investment trusts had fund allocation to companies investing in the technology, [...]
‘Languishing share price’: CVS under pressure to turn around performance from activist investor May 13, 2026 One of the UK’s largest veterinary groups is facing increased pressure from an activist hedge fund to improve its performance after competition regulators concluded a probe into high prices in the sector. Canada-based Converium Capital, which holds a two per cent stake in the FTSE 250 group, threatened to rally shareholders to nominate directors to [...]
Wealth managers shares fall amid Starmer political storm May 12, 2026 A host of the City’s top listed wealth managers suffered sharp sell-offs on Tuesday morning as questions over Starmer’s future caused government borrowing costs to soar. Investors have been on alert since fears of a rebellion against Starmer began after last week’s local election results, with the spike in gilt yields now triggering a sell [...]
Imperial Brands warns Iran war may weigh on costs and consumer demand May 12, 2026 One of Britain’s biggest tobacco companies is bracing for a potential slowdown in consumer demand sparked by the conflict in the Middle East as it hikes prices to offset cigarette declines in the first half of the year. FTSE 100 member Imperial Brands stood by its revenue and profit forecasts for the year, but noted [...]