Business

Octopus to get tentacles around Hammond-backed fintech fund

The Fintech Growth Fund, which counted Barclays, the London Stock Exchange, and NatWest among its investors, is to be taken over by Octopus Ventures, Sky News learns.
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Former chancellor Lord Hammond

DHL suspends some shipments to US amid Trump tariff regime

New rules came into effect at the beginning of April, meaning shipments worth more than $800 into the US were subject to increased customs checks.
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Pic: iStock

Analysis
Analysis
Mission: Impossible? Chancellor heads to the IMF with a very big challenge – and she’s not alone

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) may this week appear more akin to the Impossible Mission Force, as finance ministers including Britain's Rachel Reeves jostle for meetings with their US counterparts in an attempt to negotiate their way out of Donald Trump's damaging tariffs.
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Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to try to talk Donald Trump out of tariffs. Pic: Reuters

Landlords of major discount retailer brace for swingeing rent cuts

The Original Factory Shop's new owner, Modella Capital, is preparing to launch a company voluntary arrangement aimed at imposing steep haircuts on store-owners within days, Sky News learns.
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File pic: PA

Analysis
Analysis
The British economy has lost out – and sucking up to Trump will only get Starmer so far

A ban on bringing meat and cheese home from Europe is said to be designed to protect British livestock, but is another reminder of the bureaucratic botheration hamstringing the economy since Brexit, says Adam Boulton.

Sports rights veteran Kogan in talks to chair Starmer’s football watchdog

David Kogan, who has helped negotiate TV deals for the Premier League, EFL and Women's Super League, has emerged as the leading candidate to chair the Independent Football Regulator, Sky News learns.
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Derby County versus Luton Town in relegation battle. Pic: PA

CMC chief Lord Cruddas in £40m raid on broker Winterflood

London-listed CMC Markets is among the bidders circling the subsidiary of Close Brothers, which has been hit by the unfolding scandal in car finance, Sky News learns.
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Lord Cruddas. Pic: PA

Explainer
Explainer
Why have gold prices hit record highs?

Gold is a tangible commodity – a physical good that can be bought and sold. An estimated 3,000 tonnes of gold are mined each year. But why is it going up in value?
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Gold bars in a vault at the United States Mint in New York. Pic: AP

Trump tariffs to knock growth but won’t cause global recession, says IMF

Inflation will rise in some countries as a result of the trade policies, the IMF boss said ahead of its spring meeting.
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IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva. Pic: Reuters

Predators eye bargain deal for struggling discount retailer Poundland

The owner of Bensons for Beds is among a number of bidders preparing to table offers for the value retail chain in the next few weeks, Sky News learns.
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A Poundland shop. Pic: iStock