Monday November 21 2016
Company news, markets and financial talking points, available from 8am Monday to Friday
May to woo business with CBI speech
Theresa May will try to woo UK bosses with the promise of tax cuts and a new government approach to business, summed up by the slogan: "Stepping up, not stepping back." In her first speech to a CBI conference, the prime minister will promise £2bn of investment in science and research and tax breaks for innovators.
Media looks ahead to Autumn Statement
Philip Hammond's first Autumn Statement has kept the press busy this weekend, with the Sunday Telegraph predicting a "tax raid on middle-class salary perks" and the Mail On Sunday saying the Chancellor will "junk" George Osborne's policies. The Times today, meamnwhile, warns affluent homeowners "won't get a tax cut".
Facebook to expand UK operation by 50%
Facebook will expand its presence in the UK by 50% when it opens its new London headquarters next year, it says. The firm will hire 500 additional employees, including engineers, marketers, project managers and sales staff. "The UK remains one of the best places to be a tech company," it said.
Sir Stelios eyes coffee chain expansion
The discount coffee shop chain backed by easyJet boss Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou is planning to expand after receiving approaches from about 200 potential franchisees. The entrepreneur started easyCoffee earlier this year, selling cups of coffee for £1.
Irn-Bru sales rocket after SNP swells in Commons
Sales of Irn-Bru in parliament increased 60% after the Scottish National Party became its third biggest group of MPs. Bars, cafes and vending machines across Westminster sold 8,708 cans or bottles in the financial year 2015-16, up from 5,452 the previous year.
Quote of the day… How investors flipped on Trump impact
"I’m struck by how many investors and investment bank econ departments were putting out notes one week before the election [saying] that if Trump wins, the markets will absolutely crash. Amazingly, many of these exact same investors and economists now say Trump is great for stocks." Jeff Gundlach, a US bond fund manager who backed Trump to become president even before he won the Republican nomination.
THE NUMBERS... AT 0726 GMT
FTSE 100: down -0.28 to 6775.77
Dow Jones: down -0.19 to 18867.93
Dax: down -0.20 to 10664.56
Cac 40: down -0.52 to 4504.35
Nikkei: up +0.77 to 18106.02
Hang Seng: up +0.11 to 22367.74
US dollar: buys €0.94260 and £0.81020
Sterling: buys $1.23430 and €1.16300
Oil: $46.79 up +0.7