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Gilt yields jump as pressure mounts on Starmer amid leadership speculation

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Angela Rayner, Deputy Prime Minister, is set to grant an additional 9 million UK workers the right to sue their employers for unfair dismissal from the first day of their employment, as part of a sweeping overhaul of workers' rights.

UK government borrowing costs climbed on Monday as markets reacted to intensifying pressure on Sir Keir Starmer, with investors pricing in heightened political risk and the possibility of a shift towards more left-leaning Labour policies.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year UK government bond rose by as much as 0.08 percentage points to nearly 4.6 per cent, while yields on 30-year gilts reached their steepest level since November. Bond yields move inversely to prices, meaning the rise reflected a sell-off in gilts.

The move came after Anas Sarwar, leader of the Scottish Labour Party, publicly called on Starmer to step down, triggering speculation over the prime minister’s future. Yields later pared back some of their gains after senior cabinet ministers rallied behind Starmer.

Currency markets were more mixed. Sterling strengthened 0.4 per cent against the dollar to $1.36, while slipping 0.26 per cent against the euro to €1.14. London’s FTSE 100 ended the session 0.16 per cent higher.

Investors appeared to react to concerns that Starmer, under pressure from within his party, could pivot towards more interventionist or higher-spending policies to shore up support from Labour backbenchers. Markets also weighed the prospect of a leadership contest that could elevate figures from the party’s left.

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One name increasingly discussed by traders is Angela Rayner, who is seen as sitting to the left of Starmer. Although Rayner was among senior Labour figures to publicly back the prime minister, her potential ascent has unsettled investors wary of a change in fiscal direction. Wes Streeting, associated with Labour’s more centrist wing, is also viewed as a possible contender in any future leadership race.

Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB, said markets were beginning to reprice UK assets. “A political risk premium is once again being built into UK asset prices, as investors worry about what a new leader could mean for economic policy,” she said.

The gilt sell-off also unfolded against a backdrop of broader volatility in global bond markets following Japan’s general election, though UK-specific political concerns were seen as the main driver.

Speculation around Starmer’s position intensified further after the resignation of his head of communications, Tim Allan, following the weekend departure of chief of staff Morgan McSweeney. The turmoil has been compounded by controversy surrounding the appointment of Lord Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to the United States, despite warnings over his past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

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For now, markets remain on edge, with investors closely watching whether Labour’s internal strains translate into a change of leadership, or a change of economic course, in the weeks ahead.


Amy Ingham

Amy is a newly qualified journalist specialising in business journalism at Business Matters with responsibility for news content for what is now the UK’s largest print and online source of current business news.

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OMV Aktiengesellschaft 2025 Q4 – Results – Earnings Call Presentation (OTCMKTS:OMVKY) 2026-02-10

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OneWater Marine Inc. (ONEW) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

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Seeking Alpha’s transcripts team is responsible for the development of all of our transcript-related projects. We currently publish thousands of quarterly earnings calls per quarter on our site and are continuing to grow and expand our coverage. The purpose of this profile is to allow us to share with our readers new transcript-related developments. Thanks, SA Transcripts Team

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Arbor Investments buys Furlani Foods

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Arbor Investments buys Furlani Foods

Acquisition adds to baking portfolio holdings.

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Eight Saks Fifth Avenue stores, one Nieman Marcus location closing

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Eight Saks Fifth Avenue stores, one Nieman Marcus location closing

Saks Global Enterprises said Tuesday it will close nine stores as it shifts its focus to more profitable locations.

The company said eight Saks Fifth Avenue locations and one Neiman Marcus store will close.

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“By optimizing our operational footprint, we will be better positioned to deliver exceptional products, elevated experiences and highly personalized service across all channels, while simultaneously positioning our company to make investments that enable long-term growth and value creation,” Saks Global Enterprises CEO Geoffroy van Raemdonck said in a statement.

People outside a Saks Fifth Avenue store.

Shoppers leave a Saks Fifth Avenue store Dec. 30, 2025, in Chicago. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

SAKS GLOBAL FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY AFTER $2.7 BILLION NEIMAN MARCUS ACQUISITION DEAL 

Saks Global Enterprises filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in mid-January in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas after missing a $100 million interest payment in December, adding to mounting debt obligations. 

Saks will ask a U.S. bankruptcy judge to approve the nine store closings at a court hearing Friday, the company said in a court document filed Tuesday.

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After the filing, Saks Global announced it secured a financing commitment of approximately $1.75 billion backed by senior secured bondholders and asset-based lenders to support operations during the restructuring. 

Shoppers outside Saks Fifth Avenue flagship store in Manhattan

Holiday shoppers walk outside the Saks Fifth Avenue flagship store in Manhattan in New York City Dec. 5, 2023.  (Reuters/Mike Segar/File Photo / Reuters Photos)

CONSUMER CONFIDENCE PLUNGES TO LOWEST LEVEL IN MORE THAN A DECADE

Saks Global announced last month that most Saks Off 5th locations across the U.S. would close, just weeks after its bankruptcy filing.  

The luxury retailer closed 23 of its Saks Off 5th stores Feb. 2, while another 34 held closing sales starting at the end of January. Only 12 locations in New York, Florida, New Jersey, Georgia, California and Texas will remain open.

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MOST SAKS OFF 5TH LOCATIONS NATIONWIDE TO CLOSE AMID BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS

Shoppers enter the Saks Fifth Avenue store on Fifth Avenue in New York.

Shoppers enter the Saks Fifth Avenue store on Fifth Avenue in New York Nov. 27, 2020. (Gabriela Bhaskar/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Here’s which Saks Fifth Avenue stores are closing:

The Summit – Birmingham, Alabama

Polaris Fashion Place – Columbus, Ohio

American Dream – East Rutherford, New Jersey

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Shops at Canal Place – New Orleans, Louisiana

Bala Plaza – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Biltmore Fashion Park – Phoenix, Arizona

Stony Point Fashion Park – Richmond, Virginia

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Utica Square – Tulsa, Oklahoma

Here’s the Neiman Marcus store that’s closing:

Copley Place – Boston, Massachusetts

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

FOX Business’ Greg Norman and Reuters contributed to this report.

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Warren Buffett’s Japanese Bets Keep Paying Off

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Warren Buffett’s Japanese Bets Keep Paying Off

Berkshire holds stakes in Itochu, Marubeni, Mitsubishi, Mitsui and Sumitomo.

The firms operate in a wide range of businesses, in areas such as chemicals, agricultural commodities, mining and consumer products.

Itochu stock was roughly flat Monday, but the others added between 3% and 5.3%—with each of the four notching new record closing highs, according to Dow Jones Market Data.

Berkshire first revealed it had taken positions in the quintet in August 2020, though stake building started about a year earlier. It has subsequently increased those holdings.

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Since Berkshire first disclosed that it was investing in the trading firms, their shares have gained between 280% and 832%.

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Gilead Sciences, Inc. 2025 Q4 – Results – Earnings Call Presentation (NASDAQ:GILD) 2026-02-10

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OneWater Marine Inc. (ONEW) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

This article was written by

Seeking Alpha’s transcripts team is responsible for the development of all of our transcript-related projects. We currently publish thousands of quarterly earnings calls per quarter on our site and are continuing to grow and expand our coverage. The purpose of this profile is to allow us to share with our readers new transcript-related developments. Thanks, SA Transcripts Team

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Dollar Weakens While Markets Brace for Fiscal Stimulus in Japan

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Stocks Little Changed After Fed Decision

“We expect implied volatility to pick up again,” Goldman Sachs’ Karen Fishman writes. She expects the USDJPY to move “towards and through 160.” In such a scenario, intervention risk rises. She expects markets “to proceed cautiously against elevated risk of intervention, but that can only last for so long.”

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Coleen Rooney increases Applied Nutrition stake as firm targets working mothers

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The Liverpool-based nutrition company, backed by JD Sports, has reported growth in sales since launching shares on the London stock markets in 2024

Coleen Rooney with a packet of Applied Nutrition Diet Protein and branded water bottle

Coleen Rooney has upped her stake in Applied Nutrition(Image: Applied Nutrition/PA)

Coleen Rooney has increased her investment in Applied Nutrition as the wellness company seeks to appeal to a broader range of consumers, including working mothers.

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The television personality and wife of former footballer Wayne Rooney has substantially increased her stake in the business, the firm confirmed. It is understood that Mrs Rooney has approximately doubled her holding, which remains beneath the 3% threshold that would require a publicly listed company to declare it to the London Stock Exchange.

The Liverpool-headquartered firm, which also counts retailer JD Sports amongst its backers, floated on the London stock markets in 2024 and has recorded sales growth since then.

Mrs Rooney was amongst the investors in the company’s flotation following her appointment as a brand ambassador for the group, though the exact size of her stake has never been publicly disclosed.

She is also the face of a range of products for Applied Nutrition, including collagen and powders designed to support sleep, immunity, hydration and reduce bloating.

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Her participation has enabled the company to reach a wider demographic of customers, given that the sports nutrition sector is traditionally perceived as a more male-dominated industry.

Coleen Rooney said: “Nutrition and supplements have always been an important part of my fitness regime and had included Applied Nutrition products for many years before having the opportunity to create my own range. I am delighted with the range we have created together and look forward to expanding the range further.

“Combining a healthy lifestyle with exercise helps me feel good about myself and provides the energy required for a busy mum of four boys especially now that I have gone back to working on several projects and opportunities.

“Alongside being an ambassador for the business, I had the opportunity to invest in the company and couldn’t be happier with my decision as the business continues to grow. I am excited about the future of the company as it expands into new markets and products and have decided to invest further.

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“I look forward to continuing to work alongside the board and the rest of the team and to be a part of the company’s future success.”

Applied Nutrition’s chief executive Thomas Ryder said: “Coleen embodies everything we are about – focus, passion for wellness and a commitment to the journey, as illustrated by her increasing her shareholding. Coleen has played an important role in broadening our customer base and increasing brand awareness among a wider, health-conscious audience.

“It is particularly rewarding to work alongside someone who is as passionate about health and wellness and believes in the long-term potential of the business as strongly as we do.”

The company primarily operates through business-to-business sales, distributing its products to retailers, supermarkets, fitness centres and sports clubs, catering to everyone from elite athletes to individuals pursuing weight loss goals.

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Looking At Kyndryl After A 50%+ Drop

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Looking At Kyndryl After A 50%+ Drop

Looking At Kyndryl After A 50%+ Drop

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Consensus Cloud Solutions, Inc. (CCSI) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript

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OneWater Marine Inc. (ONEW) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

Q4: 2026-02-10 Earnings Summary

EPS of $1.41 beats by $0.11

 | Revenue of $87.07M (0.10% Y/Y) beats by $448.16K

Consensus Cloud Solutions, Inc. (CCSI) Q4 2025 Earnings Call February 10, 2026 8:30 AM EST

Company Participants

Adam Varon – Senior Vice President of Finance
R. Turicchi – CEO & Director
Johnny Hecker – Chief Revenue Officer & Executive VP of Operations
James Malone – CFO & Principal Accounting Officer

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Conference Call Participants

David Larsen – BTIG, LLC, Research Division
Gene Mannheimer
Isaac Sellhausen – Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., Research Division

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Presentation

Operator

Good day, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to Consensus Q4 2025 Earnings Call. My name is Paul, and I will be the operator assisting you today. [Operator Instructions]

On this call from Consensus will be Scott Turicchi, CEO; Jim Malone, CFO; Johnny Hecker, CRO and Executive Vice President of Operations; and Adam Varon, Senior Vice President of Finance. I will now turn the call over to Adam Varon, Senior Vice President of Finance at Consensus. Thank you. You may begin.

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Adam Varon
Senior Vice President of Finance

Good morning, and welcome to the Consensus investor call to discuss our Q4 and year-end 2025 financial results, other key information and our 2026 full year and Q1 2026 guidance. Joining me today are Scott Turicchi, CEO; Johnny Hecker, CRO and EVP of Operations; and Jim Malone, CFO. The earnings call will begin with Scott providing opening remarks. Johnny will give an update on operational progress since our Q3 2025 investor call, and then Jim will discuss Q4 2025 and full year 2025 financial results, then provide our full year 2026 and Q1 2026 guidance range.

After we finish our prepared remarks, we will conduct a Q&A session. At that time, the operator will instruct you on the procedures for asking a question. Before we begin our prepared remarks, allow me to direct you to our forward-looking statements and risk factors on Slide 2 of our investor presentation.

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Middlefield Banc earnings missed by $0.27, revenue fell short of estimates

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Middlefield Banc earnings missed by $0.27, revenue fell short of estimates

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