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UK Economy 17 December 2025 - 30 December 2025

Martin Lewis flags Premium Bonds trade-off as 4.5% UK savings rates stay on top

Martin Lewis flags Premium Bonds trade-off as 4.5% UK savings rates stay on top

MoneySavingExpert’s December 29 update lists easy-access savings rates up to 4.5% and one-year fixed deals at 4.46%. NS&I says Premium Bonds offer a 3.60% annual prize fund rate with 22,000-to-1 monthly odds per £1 bond. Martin Lewis advises most savers will earn more from guaranteed interest unless tax is a factor. The next Premium Bonds prize draw is set for January 2.
30 December 2025
UK energy customers urged to take a year-end meter reading ahead of Jan. 1 price cap change

UK energy customers urged to take a year-end meter reading ahead of Jan. 1 price cap change

Go.Compare urged UK households to submit gas and electricity meter readings on Dec. 31 before the energy price cap rises to £1,758 on Jan. 1. The company warned that failing to log readings could lead to billing errors, especially with smart meters that sometimes fail to transmit data. Ofgem set the new cap, up £3 from the previous quarter. Separate reports noted disputes over estimated bills, including cases involving Octopus Energy.
29 December 2025
UK Stock Market Preview for 26 December 2025: Boxing Day Closure, FTSE 100 Drivers, Sterling Moves, Oil Pressure and the BoE Outlook

UK Stock Market Preview for 26 December 2025: Boxing Day Closure, FTSE 100 Drivers, Sterling Moves, Oil Pressure and the BoE Outlook

The London Stock Exchange will be closed on Friday, 26 December 2025, for Boxing Day. In the last session before the break, the FTSE 100 fell 0.2%. BP agreed to sell a 65% stake in Castrol to Stonepeak for about $6 billion, valuing Castrol at $10.1 billion. UK traders will return after the holiday to a market influenced by global moves and BP’s deal.
UK Stock Market Today (24 December 2025): FTSE 100 Slips in Christmas Eve Trade as BP’s Castrol Sale and SolGold Takeover Lead Headlines

UK Stock Market Today (24 December 2025): FTSE 100 Slips in Christmas Eve Trade as BP’s Castrol Sale and SolGold Takeover Lead Headlines

The FTSE 100 slipped 0.19% to 9,870.68 and the FTSE 250 fell 0.16% to 22,314.50 in a quiet, shortened Christmas Eve session. Healthcare stocks like AstraZeneca and GSK dropped about 0.5%, weighing on the index, while BP’s Castrol divestment and SolGold’s takeover drew focus. Schroders rose 1.5%, Games Workshop fell 1.46%. Trading was thin ahead of the holiday market closure.
UK Stock Market Today (24 December 2025): FTSE 100 Ends Flat in Christmas Eve Half‑Day as BP’s Castrol Sale, Strong Sterling and Record Metals Shape the Mood

UK Stock Market Today (24 December 2025): FTSE 100 Ends Flat in Christmas Eve Half‑Day as BP’s Castrol Sale, Strong Sterling and Record Metals Shape the Mood

The FTSE 100 closed nearly flat at 9,890.40, up 0.01%, in thin Christmas Eve trading. BP agreed to sell a 65% stake in Castrol to Stonepeak for about $6 billion, valuing Castrol at $10.1 billion. The London Stock Exchange ended its session early at 12:30pm. Sterling rose above $1.35 while precious metals extended gains.
UK Stock Market Today: FTSE 100 Braces for a Softer Open as UK GDP Holds at 0.1% and Commodities Hit Fresh Records (22 December 2025)

UK Stock Market Today: FTSE 100 Braces for a Softer Open as UK GDP Holds at 0.1% and Commodities Hit Fresh Records (22 December 2025)

FTSE 100 futures pointed down about 0.2% on Monday, after the index closed last week at 9,897.42, its best week since October. UK GDP grew 0.1% in Q3, unchanged, with Q2 revised to 0.2%. The current account deficit narrowed to £12.1bn, but the trade deficit excluding precious metals widened to £4.6bn. Trading volumes are thinning ahead of the holidays.
FTSE 100 Week Ahead: Holiday-Shortened UK Trading, GDP Revisions and a FTSE Index Shake-Up as London Shares Eye 10,000

FTSE 100 Week Ahead: Holiday-Shortened UK Trading, GDP Revisions and a FTSE Index Shake-Up as London Shares Eye 10,000

The FTSE 100 closed Friday near its all-time high at 9,897, up 2.6% for the week, as miners and defense stocks led gains. London markets face a shortened three-session week with thin trading and key UK economic data, including GDP revisions and business investment, due Monday. The FTSE 250 ended the week flat, highlighting sensitivity to domestic signals. The LSE will close early on Wednesday for Christmas.
Bank of England Cuts Base Rate to 3.75%: What It Means for UK Mortgage Rates, Savings and Borrowers in 2026

Bank of England Cuts Base Rate to 3.75%: What It Means for UK Mortgage Rates, Savings and Borrowers in 2026

The Bank of England cut its base rate by 0.25 points to 3.75% after a 5–4 vote, citing falling inflation. The move brings the rate below 4% for the first time since early 2023. The Bank warned future cuts are less certain and decisions will be “closer calls.” Tracker mortgage holders will see immediate reductions; changes for other borrowers may vary.
21 December 2025
UK Stock Market Today (19 December 2025): FTSE 100 Faces Volatile Session as Retail Sales Miss, Borrowing Stays Elevated and FTSE Rebalance Hits at the Close

UK Stock Market Today (19 December 2025): FTSE 100 Faces Volatile Session as Retail Sales Miss, Borrowing Stays Elevated and FTSE Rebalance Hits at the Close

FTSE 100 futures pointed to a weaker open Friday, down about 0.4%, following Thursday’s 0.7% gain after the Bank of England cut rates by 25 basis points in a narrow 5–4 vote. The FTSE Russell December quarterly review takes effect today, likely triggering index-related flows. UK retail sales data showed consumers remained cautious in November. Sterling rebounded and gilt yields rose after the BoE’s decision.
19 December 2025
UK Stock Market Today: FTSE 100 Holds Near 9,800 Ahead of Bank of England Rate Cut Decision (18 December 2025)

UK Stock Market Today: FTSE 100 Holds Near 9,800 Ahead of Bank of England Rate Cut Decision (18 December 2025)

The FTSE 100 traded near 9,800, up 0.3% by 10:45 AM GMT, as investors awaited the Bank of England’s policy decision at noon. Retailers and defence stocks led gains, while miners and healthcare lagged. Markets expect a 25-basis-point rate cut after UK inflation dropped to 3.2% in November. The FTSE 100 is up about 20% year-to-date, on track for its best year since 2009.
Bank of England Interest Rate Decision Today: Expected Cut to 3.75% Could Ease UK Mortgage Costs Ahead of 2026

Bank of England Interest Rate Decision Today: Expected Cut to 3.75% Could Ease UK Mortgage Costs Ahead of 2026

The Bank of England is expected to cut its base rate by 0.25 points to 3.75% at midday, following a sharper-than-expected drop in UK inflation and signs of a cooling labor market. Consumer price inflation slowed to 3.2% in November, and unemployment rose to 5.1%. GDP fell 0.1% in October. Markets have already priced in the move.
Bank of England Set to Cut Interest Rates to 3.75% After UK Inflation Drops to 3.2% — What It Means for Mortgages, Savings and Markets

Bank of England Set to Cut Interest Rates to 3.75% After UK Inflation Drops to 3.2% — What It Means for Mortgages, Savings and Markets

The Bank of England is expected to cut the UK Bank Rate from 4% to 3.75% at noon Thursday, following a sharper-than-forecast drop in inflation and signs of economic slowdown. November’s CPI fell to 3.2%, driven by falling food prices and Black Friday discounts. The Monetary Policy Committee remains divided, with markets pricing in a narrow vote and one more cut likely in early 2026.
18 December 2025
UK Stock Market Preview for 18 December 2025: BoE Rate Decision, Inflation Surprise, FTSE 100 Movers and Global Cues

UK Stock Market Preview for 18 December 2025: BoE Rate Decision, Inflation Surprise, FTSE 100 Movers and Global Cues

UK inflation fell to 3.2% in November, surprising markets and fueling expectations the Bank of England will cut rates at its decision today. The FTSE 100 rose Wednesday, led by banks and homebuilders, while sterling dropped and gilt yields fell. US stocks slid overnight on renewed tech sector concerns. The Bank of England’s policy announcement is due at noon.
Bellway (BWY) News Today: Share Buyback Update, Build-Quality Award Win, and What’s Moving the UK Housebuilder on 17 December 2025

Bellway (BWY) News Today: Share Buyback Update, Build-Quality Award Win, and What’s Moving the UK Housebuilder on 17 December 2025

Bellway bought back 22,000 shares on 16 December, cancelling them and reducing its total shares in issue to 117,744,261. The company’s site manager won an NHBC Seal of Excellence for a Desborough project. Bellway’s share price moved above its 50-day average, with analysts citing targets in the low-3,000p range.
17 December 2025
Barclays PLC (BARC) News Today (17 December 2025): Share Buyback Update, New Block Listing, Saudi Arabia Push, and Fresh UK Spending Signals

Barclays PLC (BARC) News Today (17 December 2025): Share Buyback Update, New Block Listing, Saudi Arabia Push, and Fresh UK Spending Signals

Barclays on Wednesday filed for a 20 million-share block listing for employee plans and reported buying 2.2 million shares for cancellation under its ongoing buyback. Shares traded near a 52-week high, up over 2% at around 460.60p. The bank also signaled increased investment-banking activity in Saudi Arabia and noted shifting UK consumer spending trends.
17 December 2025
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Stock Market Today

  • WEX Inc. Shares Rise 3.43% on Strategic Partnerships and Strong Q4 Performance
    March 20, 2026, 5:32 PM EDT. WEX Inc. stock surged 3.43% amid renewed investor confidence driven by strategic partnership announcements and robust Q4 2025 results. The company posted an EBIT margin of 20.2% and EBITDA margin of 33%, highlighting solid operational efficiency and profitability. Despite a dip to $148.90, shares rebounded to $156.89. WEX's strong cash position of $1.68 billion and significant debt reduction of over $10.56 billion demonstrate financial stability. Analysts note the company's reasonable valuation, with a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.52 and manageable debt servicing ability. Technical indicators point to a support level near $150, suggesting potential upside if sector momentum continues. WEX's steady revenue growth and above-average returns reinforce its competitive stance in the finance sector.
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