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Metro Bank posted record profit but investors remained unconvinced today. Lending, income, and margins improved, yet the shares fell sharply as the market demanded evidence that ambitious return targets remain achievable.
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AI-intensive accounting practices report markedly higher margins and savings nationally. Xero’s research links daily adoption with documented processes, advisory work, specialist hiring, and changes to pricing.
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A new torpedo contract will sustain 315 skilled jobs nationwide. BAE Systems will maintain Royal Navy weapons across several UK sites while supporting a wider specialist supply chain.
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HSBC’s first-half profit rose as buybacks returned after restructuring costs. Wealth income, transaction banking, and interest earnings lifted performance, although capital levels fell after the Hang Seng Bank privatisation.
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Government procurement reforms will prioritise jobs, skills, and domestic opportunity. The planned model would double their weighting on major contracts while reducing requirements affecting smaller suppliers.
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BP’s quarterly profit doubled as Meg O’Neill tightened strategic priorities. The group is accelerating disposals, reducing liabilities, and applying stricter return tests to investment decisions.
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Prologis has agreed a landmark takeover of warehouse group Segro. The £14bn transaction would expand its European logistics estate by 47% and give Segro shareholders a stake in a global property platform.
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RWS will acquire Acolad’s parent to expand European AI services. The £22.4 million enterprise-value transaction adds 1,200 employees, regulated-industry customers, and annual revenue exceeding £180 million.
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National Grid has launched a £5m fund tackling youth worklessness. The five-year programme will provide training, qualifications, mentoring, and routes into energy and infrastructure employment for 5,000 young people.
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Ofcom’s new chair has launched a wide-ranging organisational review today. Sir Ian Cheshire will examine its structure, resources, and powers as online-safety enforcement expands the regulator’s workload.