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☆ Jack Dorsey's payments company Block expands corporate card service to the UK
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-31 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON — Block, the payments company owned by tech billionaire Jack Dorsey has launched its corporate card service in the U.K. in a bid to deepen its expansion into the country and take on big incumbents like American Express . In the U.K., Square Card will come up against local banking giants like Lloyds and NatWest . Hussain-Letch highlighted The Vinyl Guys as an example of an early adopter of its corporate card offering. The vehicle branding and signage printing shop based in Stafford used the corporate card as part of a testing phase with domestic U.K. customers. Once an employee is onboarded onto the Square Card program, they can begin using within their own digital wallet apps.

Persons: Jack Dorsey, Samina Hussain, Hussain, Letch, We've, Rachel Reeves, Reeves Organizations: American Express, CNBC, Citigroup, U.K, Lloyds, NatWest, Entrepreneurs, Tax Locations: Britain, North America, U.S, Canada, Stafford

☆ New UK budget plan might prove better for the economy in the longer term, economist says
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-31 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailNew UK budget plan might prove better for the economy in the longer term, economist saysDavid Owen, founder and chief economist at Saltmarsh Economics, discusses the U.K. Labour government's £40 billion tax raise in the newly disclosed budget plan.

Persons: David Owen Organizations: Saltmarsh, Labour

☆ Apple stuck it to the naysayers with better-than-feared financials, emerging iPhone 16 demand
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-31 | by ( Zev Fima | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

While the hardware sales are certainly profitable, they pale in comparison to the profitability of Apple's Services. It's impossible to do consistently, and that's why Jim Cramer always says "own, don't trade" Apple stock. During the reported quarter, Apple returned over $29 billion to shareholders, including $3.8 billion in dividends and equivalents and another $25 billion via the repurchase of 112 million shares. Though Services sales missed the mark, gross income managed to outpace expectations thanks to significant year-over-year margin expansion. The growing installed base of active devices is of course translating into strong engagement with Apple's services.

Persons: Luca Maestri, that's, Jim Cramer, Time Cook, Apple, we're, Maestri, Jim Cramer's, Jim, Michael M Organizations: Apple, Samsung, Dell, HP Inc, of Asia, of Asia Pacific, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple Intelligence, Apple's Services, iOS, CNBC, Fifth, Santiago, Getty Locations: Apple's, Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, Greater China, iPhones, Kantar, U.S, China, Australia, New York City

☆ European markets expected to open lower ahead of euro zone inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-31 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Traders sit in front of trading screens at ETX Capital in central London on January 3, 2017. LONDON — European markets were heading for a lower open Thursday as investors look ahead to the latest euro zone inflation data. The preliminary reading for October will be closely watched as it will inform the European Central Bank as to the trajectory of expected interest rate cuts. Flash economic data published Wednesday showed that the euro zone economy grew 0.4% in the third quarter of 2024, above the 0.2% rise expected by economists polled by Reuters. There are more earnings Thursday with Shell , Stellantis , Maersk , AB Inbev and Carlsberg reporting.

Persons: Rachel Reeves Organizations: London's FTSE, European Central Bank, Reuters, Shell, Maersk, AB Inbev, Carlsberg, Labour Locations: London, London's

LONDON — Two people have been hospitalized after a fire broke out at the shipyard that builds Britain’s nuclear-powered submarines, but there is “no nuclear risk,” police said Wednesday. Cumbria Constabulary said a “significant” fire broke out soon after midnight at the BAE Systems shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness, northwest England. “When I opened the front door, we just saw a lot of black smoke,” said Donna Butler, who lives next to the shipyard. “It was a lot of black smoke, like really thick black smoke, and it was very loud.”The force said two people were taken to hospitals with suspected smoke inhalation and there were no other casualties. The 150-year-old shipyard, about 220 miles northwest of London, is currently building several nuclear-powered submarines for the Royal Navy.

Persons: ”, Donna Butler Organizations: Cumbria Constabulary, BAE Systems, Royal Navy Locations: Barrow, Furness, England, Devonshire, “, London

☆ Sigh of relief for UK tech founders as Labour hikes capital gains tax by less than feared
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

On Monday, British tech lobby group Startup Coalition warned in a blog post that there was a risk Reeves' tax plans could result in a tech "brain drain.". (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)LONDON — Britain's Labour government on Wednesday announced plans to raise the rate of capital gains tax on share sales, news that offered some relief for technology entrepreneurs who feared a more intense tax raid on the wealthy. Finance Minister Rachel Reeves on Wednesday hiked capital gains tax (CGT) — a levy on the profit investors make from the sale of an investment — as part of her far-reaching budget announcement. The lower capital gains tax rate will be increased to 18% from 10%, while the higher rate will climb to 24% from 20%, Reeves said. She stressed that this still represented a "significant gap compared to the higher rate of capital gains tax."

Persons: Reeves, Oli Scarff, Rachel Reeves, quashing Organizations: Startup Coalition, Labour, Wednesday, Finance, National Insurance Locations: British, BADR

☆ These stocks and bonds are set to win from the U.K.'s budget, analysts say
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( Ganesh Rao | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

The U.K.'s Labour Party is set to unveil its national budget for the first time in 14 years later on Wednesday. Investment bank analysts have highlighted several stocks that could win or lose ground if the rumored measures are unveiled or curtailed. The Wall Street bank's analysts added that "U.K. long-dated yields might decline with easing budget uncertainty and continued inflation relief". The chancellor is reported to want to remove the inheritance tax relief available to investors holding stocks listed in this market in the Wednesday budget. Such a move may entice existing investors to sell the stocks, if the tax policy change likely impacts them.

Persons: Rachel Reeves, Goldman Sachs, Christian Mueller, Glissmann, Pound Sterling, Investec's Ben Newell, Alan Brierley, Investec's, Genuity, Canaccord Genuity, Alex Brooks, Justin Bates, Portia Patel, Michael Bloom Organizations: Labour, Finance, Investment, London Stock Exchange, Foresight, Fund, Greencoat, Renewables, Infrastructure, International, AIM, London Stock Exchange's, Technology Ashtead Tech Locations: United Kingdom

☆ UK borrowing costs spike after extensive tax hikes announced in budget
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Maja Smiejkowska | ReutersLONDON — U.K. borrowing costs on Wednesday touched their highest level since Labour took office, after Finance Minister Rachel Reeves unveiled a vast package of tax hikes in her first budget. The yield had cooled to a 3 basis point rise to 4.35% by 4:00 p.m. U.K. time (12:00 p.m. The yield on 2-year bonds, which in the U.K. are known as gilts, were over 6 basis points higher at 4.33% after rising by as much as 10 basis points. The Treasury separately said it would raise gilt issuance by £22.2 billion ($28.9 billion) to £299.9 billion for the fiscal year to meet its net financing requirement. Those included the facts that many key policies had already been announced, and that any increase in borrowing would be to fund public investment.

Persons: Rachel Reeves, Maja Smiejkowska, Reeves, Liz Truss Organizations: Reuters LONDON, Labour, Treasury, Conservative Party, Bank of England Locations: London, Britain

☆ Businesses need clarity on UK industrial strategy, veteran CEO says
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailBusinesses need clarity on UK industrial strategy, veteran CEO saysWarren East, chair of NATS Holdings and former CEO of Arm, says the U.K. government must provide more details on its industrial strategy if it is to encourage business investment.

Persons: Warren East Organizations: NATS Holdings

☆ Shake Shack CEO talks expansion goals as shares climb after earnings beat: 'Now's our opportunity'
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( Julie Coleman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

My goal is to bring Shake Shack to the world," Lynch said. "I don't think there is a competitor for Shake Shack. We talk about ourselves as being a part of the fine casual movement; leading the fine casual movement." Nearing ten years on the market, Shake Shack started business in New York City as part of Danny Meyer's restaurant empire. "Now's our opportunity to leverage all of that and start opening up new markets and bringing Shake Shack to a lot more countries."

Persons: CNBC's Jim Cramer, Shake, Rob Lynch, " Lynch, Shack, Danny Meyer's, Meyer, Lynch Organizations: Shake Shack, Shake, Square Cafe, Michelin, Gramercy, Wednesday Locations: New York City, New York, California, JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, East, Asia, Europe

UK Finance Minister Rachel Reeves makes a speech during the Labour Party Conference that is held at the ACC Liverpool Convention Center in Liverpool, UK on September 23, 2024. LONDON — Nearly four months after taking office, the U.K.'s Labour government is set to unveil its debut budget on Wednesday, with markets braced for a major fiscal shake-up. "There's a huge amount of interest in this budget," Amanda Tickel, head of tax and trade policy at Deloitte U.K., told CNBC on Tuesday. Tickel forecast £35 billion ($45.4 billion) worth of tax rises and £5 billion in spending cuts to plug what Finance Minister Rachel Reeves says is a "big gap" in the budget. We haven't had a Labour government for 14 years, and they're going to want to make their mark on the tax system," she said.

Persons: Rachel Reeves, Amanda Tickel, haven't, we've, Reeves Organizations: Labour Party Conference, ACC Liverpool Convention Center, LONDON, Labour, Deloitte, CNBC Locations: Liverpool, London

☆ UK tax hikes will fail to boost growth, former investment minister Dominic Johnson says
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailUK tax hikes will fail to boost growth, former investment minister Dominic Johnson saysDominic Johnson, former Conservative investment minister, weighs in on the U.K.'s proposed tax hikes, saying they will do little to stimulate growth.

Persons: Dominic Johnson

☆ CNBC Daily Open: Everyone gave Reddit an upvote
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( Yeo Boon Ping | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

This report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. It's not too surprising, then, that the companies behind those services – Snap , Reddit and Alphabet – reported third-quarter results that beat Wall Street's expectations. It's Meta's and Microsoft's turn to report earnings later today. Note: CNBC Daily Open will be on a break Thursday, Oct. 31, for the public holiday in Singapore.

Persons: Rachel Reeves, Reddit, Evan Spiegel, That's, It's, Microsoft isn't, Meta, — CNBC's Julia Boorstin, Jonathan Vanian, Jennifer Elias Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, Inc, CNBC, Finance, Google, Microsoft, Meta Locations: Singapore

Thousands of Oasis tickets on the secondary market will reportedly be relisted on Ticketmaster at face value, according to the BBC. Oasis, Ticketmaster and SJM Concerts did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Oasis had announced that tickets for the Oasis '25 Live tour could only be resold at face value using Ticketmaster or the ticket resale marketplace Twickets. The demand for Oasis tickets has been high since the band, which features brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher, has not performed together in 15 years following a lengthy feud between the Gallaghers. Since then, Oasis has been taking steps to get tickets in the hands of loyal fans and away from scalpers.

Persons: Oasis, Noel, Liam Gallagher Organizations: Ticketmaster, BBC, Oasis, U.S Locations: scalpers, Melbourne, Ireland, North America, Toronto, Chicago, Los Angeles, Mexico City, East Rutherford , New Jersey

☆ Why ‘sin taxes’ could play a significant role in Britain’s high-stakes budget
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Hollie Adams | Afp | Getty ImagesBritain's Labour government appears poised to raise "sin taxes" in its highly anticipated October budget as it seeks to cash-in on lucrative industries to bolster Treasury revenues. Among a litany of measures, including a major change to the government's fiscal rules, Reeves is reported to be considering a sin tax raid. "Sin stocks are a good place to start. Shares of London-listed gambling stocks fell sharply on the news. A Treasury spokesperson was not immediately available to comment when contacted by CNBC about the prospect of sin taxes in the budget.

Persons: Keir Starmer, Rachel Reeves, Hollie Adams, Reeves, Michael, Britain's, William Hill, Paddy Power, Chris J, Ratcliffe, Bruce Morley, Morley, Morningstar's, Field, Alishia Abodunde Organizations: Britain's, Labour, Afp, Getty, Finance, Michael Field, Morningstar Analysts, Morningstar, CNBC, Guardian, London, Entain Plc, Bloomberg, Department, Environment, Food, Rural Affairs, Treasury, University of Bath, Imperial Brands, American Tobacco, Government Locations: London, Michael Field Europe, Europe, crosshairs, U.S, England, vapes

☆ European markets set for lackluster open as traders continue to focus on earnings
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

European markets are expected to open in flat to lower territory Tuesday as traders in the region await more earnings reports. Earnings are set to come from Adidas, Lufthansa, Novartis, Santander and BP, among others. Data releases of note include Germany's GfK consumer confidence figures. Europe's largest lender HSBC on Tuesday announced it will repurchase up to $3 billion in shares as it issued better-than-expected third-quarter earnings. Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed in spite of gains on Wall Street as investors looked toward a slate of mega-cap technology earnings this week, including Meta Platforms and Microsoft on Wednesday and Apple on Thursday..

Persons: Germany's DAX Organizations: France's CAC, IG, Adidas, Lufthansa, Novartis, Santander, BP, HSBC, Tuesday, Meta, Microsoft, Apple Locations: Asia, Pacific

But some countries make motorists more nervous than others. A survey published in October shows drivers are most concerned about getting behind the wheel in India. With a score of 7.15 out of 10, India had the average highest score out of 49 countries in the survey. The survey is not based on statistical information, such as roadway safety or fatalities, but perceptions of drivability among non-locals. The top 10 list is a mix of countries across Asia, Africa and South America.

Locations: India, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Asia, Africa, South America

☆ AI boom thrusts Europe between power-hungry data centers and environmental goals
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( April Roach | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Major equipment suppliers in Europe say that U.S. chip designers are calling on them to lower their water temperatures to accommodate the hotter AI chips, according to Herbert Radlinger, managing director at NDC-GARBE. Energy efficiency is high on the European Commission's agenda, as it seeks to reach its goal of reducing energy consumption by 11.7% by 2030. The EU predicted in 2018 that energy consumption of data centers could rise 28% by 2030, but the advent of AI is expected to boost that number two or threefold in some countries. Many of the recent discussions have focused on different ways to source "prime power" for AI data centers and for the potential for more collaboration with utilities, said Steven Carlini, chief advocate of AI and data centers and vice president at Schneider Electric. Liquid cooling will require a "reconfiguration," Gunen explained, adding that new data centers are already coming ready with this technology.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Andrey Korolenko, Nvidia's Blackwell, we've, Winterson, CNBC Michael Winterson, Michael Winterson, Herbert Radlinger, Steven Carlini, Carlini, Schneider, Meta, Gunen, Equinix Organizations: Luza, CNBC, European Data Center Association, NDC, EU, Energy, Directive, Schneider, Schneider Electric, European, Nvidia, Blackwell Locations: Europe, Brussels, Equinix

☆ HSBC announces fresh $3 billion share buyback as third-quarter earnings beat expectations
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Anniek Bao | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

HSBC Holdings Plc building at Canada Square in Canary Wharf financial district on 15th August 2023 in London, United Kingdom. Here are HSBC's results compared with LSEG SmartEstimate, which is weighted toward forecasts from analysts who are more consistently accurate:Pre-tax profit: $8.5 billion vs. $8 billion$8.5 billion vs. $8 billion Revenue: $17 billion vs. $16.2 billionHSBC's pre-tax profit represented a 10% rise from the $7.71 billion posted a year ago. Profit after tax came in at $6.7 billion, $500 million higher than the third quarter of 2023. The company's quarterly revenue grew 5% to $17 billion, compared to the $16.2 billion that was reported a year agoThe bank's fresh $3 million share buyback brings the total amount announced this year to $9 billion — $3 billion was announced in the first quarter and another $3 billion in the second quarter. Basic earnings per share for the quarter came in at 34 cents, higher than 29 cents in the same period a year ago.

Persons: LSEG, That's, Georges Elhedery Organizations: HSBC Holdings Plc, HSBC, Tuesday Locations: Canary Wharf, London, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, U.K

☆ UK budget to be driven by tax rises, Deloitte UK's Tickel says
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailUK budget to be driven by tax rises, Deloitte UK's Tickel saysAmanda Tickel, head of tax and trade policy at Deloitte UK, weighs in on the U.K. budget, saying that she expects the vast majority of the spending gap to be plugged with tax rises.

Persons: Deloitte UK's Tickel, Amanda Tickel Organizations: Deloitte

☆ European markets head for mixed open as investors review geopolitical tensions
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-28 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

European markets are expected to start the week on a lackluster note Monday as investors review the geopolitical situation in the Middle East. The U.K.'s FTSE 100 index is expected to open 8 points lower at 8,243, Germany's DAX up 30 points at 19,747, France's CAC up 12 points at 7,508 and Italy's FTSE MIB up 108 points at 34,648, according to data from IG. Market participants will be digesting a cooling geopolitical situation in the Middle East Monday after weekend airstrikes by Israel against Iran did not target oil or nuclear facilities as feared. Oil prices slid more than 4% Monday, although Citi analysts discounted the chance of an escalation that disrupts oil supplies. U.S. equity futures jumped as investors looked ahead to a batch of mega-cap technology earnings to keep driving the Nasdaq Composite to new heights this week.

Persons: Germany's DAX Organizations: France's CAC, IG, Citi, Nikkei, Nasdaq Locations: Israel, Iran, Asia, Pacific

☆ Wise's billionaire CEO fined £350,000 by UK regulators over failure to report tax issue
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-28 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

In this article WISE-GB Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNTKristo Kaarmann, CEO and co-founder of Wise. Eoin Noonan | Sportsfile | Getty ImagesLONDON — Kristo Käärmann, the billionaire CEO of money transfer firm Wise , was slapped with a £350,000 ($454 million) fine by financial regulators in the U.K for failing to report an issue with his tax filings. "We continue to build a product and a company that will serve our customers and owners for the decades to come," Käärmann added. The chair of Wise, David Wells, said that the company's board of directors "continues to take Wise's regulatory obligations very seriously." In a note Monday, analysts at British investment bank Peel Hunt boosted their expectations for Wise's full-year profit before tax by 15%.

Persons: Kaarmann, Wise, Eoin Noonan, Sportsfile, Käärmann, Taavet Hinrikus, Forbes, Therese Chambers, David Wells, Peel Hunt, Gautam Pillai, Barun Singh Organizations: WISE, Getty, Financial, Authority, FCA, Customs, Peel Locations: Estonian

☆ Britain's Labour government to deliver debut Budget this week, settling weeks of uncertainty
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-28 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

UK Finance Minister Rachel Reeves makes a speech during the Labour Party Conference that is held at the ACC Liverpool Convention Center in Liverpool, UK on September 23, 2024. LONDON — U.K. Finance Minister Rachel Reeves will deliver the government's hotly awaited debut budget on Wednesday, putting to bed weeks of uncertainty over potential tax hikes and spending cuts. Reports suggest that the Treasury could target public sector net financial liabilities (PSNFL) in the U.K.'s measure of debt, rather than public sector net debt. The PSNFL measure takes in a wider account of the government's balance sheet, including financial assets and liabilities, than public sector net debt. In a note Friday, Goldman Sachs estimated that the changes could increase the government's fiscal headroom by around £50 billion ($65 billion).

Persons: Rachel Reeves, — Labour's, —, Keir Starmer, Reeves, Goldman Sachs, Goldman sachs Organizations: Labour Party Conference, ACC Liverpool Convention Center, LONDON, Finance, Sky News, Financial Times, Treasury Locations: Liverpool

☆ Buy this tech firm that's quietly automating warehouses with robots, say Berenberg and Citi — giving it 50% upside
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-28 | by ( Ganesh Rao | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

AutoStore , founded in 1996 and listed since 2021 in Norway, provides robots and technology to automate traditional warehouses. The company has grown to control approximately 80% to 90% of the market, according to German investment bank Berenberg. The investment bank initiated coverage with a price target of 15 Norwegian kroner ($1.37), pointing to roughly 50% upside from the current share price level. Analysts at Norway-based Arctic Securities have the most bullish outlook with an 18 Norwegian krone price target, indicating a 78% upside. Instead, they cited media reports that Amazon will likely rely on AutoStore's technology in its grocery rollout in the United States.

Persons: Lasse Stueben, Stueben, Martin Wilkie, Berenberg Organizations: Citi, THG plc, Securities, Big Tech Locations: AutoStore, Norwegian, Norway, Germany, Europe, British, United States

A week of treasures lost and found. Rudy Giuliani was ordered to hand over a number of prized possessions and amateur treasure hunters in the U.K. made millions from their discovery. Test your knowledge of the week in news, and take last week’s quiz here.

Persons: Rudy Giuliani

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