UK
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Unilever’s sales rose 3.4% amid challenging profit figures. The FTSE 100 firm reported a 3.2% drop in turnover to €30.1bn, citing disposal costs and currency impacts. Ice cream led growth ahead of its spinout, while cash flow and earnings fell.
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A sweeping set of late-payment laws will soon apply to UK corporates. New 45-day payment caps and multi-million-pound fines for repeat offenders are now set to reshape supplier relationships and boardroom behaviour, amid calls for greater corporate accountability and overdue relief for small businesses.
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UK business confidence has reached its highest level since 2015. The Lloyds Bank Business Barometer shows optimism climbing for a third straight month in July, with hiring intentions and services sector strength offsetting ongoing cost pressures and uneven regional trends.
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The UK’s ageing workforce is growing fast. Employers are investing less in training just as older workers face new risks from AI and the net zero transition. New CIPD research calls for urgent action to support reskilling and lifelong learning to keep older staff in work.
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Cohort Capital has issued a £96 million loan facility. The transaction will refinance two four-star hotels in London and the North.
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YouTube surpasses ITV as the UK’s second most-watched media brand. Ofcom’s report highlights the platform’s growing popularity, especially among younger viewers. Average daily viewing time for traditional broadcast TV decreased as on-demand services gained traction.
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Evercore is buying boutique advisory firm Robey Warshaw for £146 million. The deal, expected to close in Q4 2025, adds strategic firepower to Evercore’s UK and European ambitions, bolstering its credentials in high-value M&A advisory and expanding its reach in cross-border transactions.
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Müller acquires Biotiful Gut Health, entering functional yogurt sector. The acquisition allows Müller to access the growing market for natural health products. Biotiful will continue independently, with Müller supporting growth and innovation. Financial terms remain undisclosed.
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Trump criticises UK’s North Sea oil taxation as excessive. US President Donald Trump has criticised the UK for high taxes on North Sea oil, calling it a “TREASURE CHEST” for the country. He urged for incentives to attract drillers, highlighting potential financial gains and reduced energy costs.
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Five major UK deals defined this M&A-heavy week. Cross-border buyers dominated activity, UK corporates stepped up, and private equity returned to London listings with cash in hand.