Business and money live – August 26th
Tomorrow everyone and welcome back to our live business and financial reporting about The Independent.
This morning we see our food inflation, the reopening of the stock exchange in London and much more.
Karl MatchettAugust 26, 2025 08:09
The inflation of food increases to 4.2% – the fastest rate in 18 months
We start with the morning news about the inflation of the food that continues to rise.
The data of the British retail consortium show at 4.2 percent – compared to 4 percent in June – and has been rising for 18 months, since February 2024.
“The retailers continue to do everything to limit the price increases for households, but as the Bank of England recognized, the new costs of £ 7 billion that flow from the budget of last year's budget have created a tough fight for retailers,” said Helen Dickinson, Managing Director of the BRC.
Karl MatchettAugust 26, 2025 08:13
Food inflation: the most important facts and riser
Butter, chocolate and eggs rose in the price to contribute significantly to general food inflation in July.
Below you will find the full report – but it is estimated that the inflation of food could reach 5 percent in the course of this year and that the Bank of England fears that food prices could also contribute to an increase in inflation of the overall level.
Karl MatchettAugust 26, 2025 08:26
M&S sell second-hand clothing online
Marks & Spencer fully put together a few weeks ago with the return of their click and collecting service.
In the next phase of your digital pressure, move into the used clothing boom and sell clothes on eBay.
Customers can also pick up 5 £ gift vouchers if they donate M&S clothing to Oxfam.
The charity organization will benefit from the sale of this second-hand clothing.
Karl MatchettAugust 26, 2025 08:44
FTSE 100 falls by 0.6%
A sharp fall this morning, when the stock markets open in Europe, with the FTSE being due to 0.64%.
In Germany, the Dax is around the same, while France's CAC 40 sinks with -1.98%.
Much of this is about the concern about the removal of a member member fed by Donald Trump – more.
Karl MatchettAugust 26, 2025 09:06
Business rates “double hit” to cost English companies £ 2.5 billion
The next year, companies in England are to be exposed to their property tax payments with an “inevitable double strike”, in which the total payments rose by around £ 2.5 billion according to new figures.
The analysis of the global control company Ryan showed that inflation and state tax change are combined to further promote corporate interest.
Business rates are the property taxes paid for commercial properties throughout the Great Britain and affects companies in the main street in particular. They are broadcast in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
From April next year, a nationwide new evaluation process for business rates will take place in England, which will connect the payments with values on the real estate market from April 2024.
Karl MatchettAugust 26, 2025 10:21
FDF explains the food price increase
According to the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), energy prices and state insurance have contributed to food costs for consumers.
“The latest inflation figures for food and drinks show that food and beverage manufacturers are pressed on all sides,” said Jim Bligh, director of company affairs at FDF.
“The energy prices remain high and the costs of some important ingredients have increased in recent years. The cocoa prices have been high, and both olive oil and butter prices have doubled since 2020.
“With high raw material prices, the new packaging tax of £ 1.4 billion and increased national insurance costs, it is no surprise that many food and beverage manufacturers have increased by 10% or more this year.
“Manufacturers have absorbed as many of these costs as possible, but consumers will still see higher prices for the Till. We assume that a high level of inflation of food and drinks will remain over the course of the year. Therefore, all new costs for companies in the autumn budget will inevitably put more pressure on the buyers' pockets.”
Karl MatchettAugust 26, 2025 10:35
LSE becomes the first fish operator
A few months ago, the FCA announced the introduction of pisces – an exchange for the purchase of shares in private companies that are not listed.
Today they confirmed that the London Stock Exchange is the first operator to run the green light for such a setup.
“We are very happy to be the first event operator who received an approval from the FCA … The London stock exchange has now taken a significant step towards the introduction of our private securities market in the course of this year,” said LSE CEO.
“This new market shows our commitment to creating a real financing continuum from private to public markets, so that companies in Great Britain and all over the world can be effectively supported in all phases of their growth.
“We look forward to welcoming the first private companies to use the market when you have completed your preparations and to expand the options you have to recognize for your ambitions.”
Karl MatchettAugust 26, 2025 10:52
Thousands of pensioners claim £ 10,000 each in overloaded tax
Around 2,400 pensioners have successfully reclaimed more than 10,000 GBP after they have been overloaded to their pension withdrawals, as new analyzes showed.
A small number of people in Great Britain even received reimbursements of more than 100,000 GBP.
The HMRC numbers received by Royal London through a FOO application (Freedom of Information) show a remarkable increase in the number of reimbursements claimed in the 2023-24 financial year.
Karl MatchettAugust 26, 2025 11:05
Trump has an impact on investors
Donald Trump speaks, the investment world wobbles. His constant change in the timing and its direction in state affairs makes it difficult to predict what comes for companies and money markets – and the markets hate uncertainty.
“A jump in the US finance areas shows that bond investors are not happy about how Trump continues to interfere with the Fed and endangers its independence,” says Russform, investment director at AJ Bell.
“The stock markets were red in Europe and Asia and imply the futures prices that the Wall Street will follow when it opens up for the trade today.
“Donald Trump is tireless in his search for the interest rates. He publicly asked the Federal Reserve to reduce the credit costs and repeats the criticized Fed chairman Jerome Powell because he has not pursued a more relaxed monetary policy.
“Although Powell stated a shift in the Fed strategy last week with the implication that the tariffs will be reduced in the next month, Trump seems to be dissatisfied. He has pursued the governor of Fed Fed, Lisa Cook, who will drive the speculation that the US President has refused to have a replacement governor with his way of thinking.
“It is important that the Vix Volatility Index has increased by 10%, which indicates that investors are quickly careful from party fashion last Friday.”
Karl MatchettAugust 26, 2025 11:30 am
About the Author
