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UK regulators have cleared Danone’s planned acquisition of Huel. The Phase 1 decision removes a major competition hurdle from the high-profile functional nutrition transaction.
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Hays beat annual profit forecasts despite persistent recruitment weakness. Cost reductions and stronger consultant productivity helped offset declining fees, particularly across permanent hiring markets.
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Basware data shows finance automation performance remains uneven globally. Its transaction-based benchmark identifies substantial gaps in autonomous processing, AI decision accuracy, payment performance, and financial controls.
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Major banks are adopting specialist AI for currency forecasting. Ant International says its upgraded model can improve liquidity decisions and materially reduce foreign-exchange hedging and allocation costs.
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Government funding targets energy storage lasting more than four days. A new £28m challenge will support advanced batteries and underground hydrogen systems for prolonged periods of weak renewable generation.
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CVC is preparing a potential bid for challenger bank Aldermore. The sale could allow separate offers for the lender’s banking operations and its MotoNovo motor-finance business.
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UK businesses continue facing weak turnover and persistent cost pressure. ONS data shows economic uncertainty remains widespread, while labour and energy costs continue influencing pricing and operating decisions.
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UK factory order books improved sharply during August’s industry survey. Export orders returned to normal levels, although production remained weak and manufacturers expected faster selling-price increases.
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Standard Life is expanding its UK pension risk transfer capacity. The insurer has assembled a consortium-backed platform with commitments of up to £2bn as competition intensifies for larger defined benefit schemes.
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UK rent growth accelerated while annual house-price inflation slowed sharply. Average private rent reached £1,393 in July as annual house-price growth fell to 2% in June.