Business News Live – Pound Climbs Against Dollar, FTSE 100 Hits New Record High

In the morning all, new economic data continue to portray a normal picture of slow, perhaps severe, many areas this week – but not manufacturing.

We saw in GDP data that it was a hit in the second quarter and returned in large numbers today.

The latest data of UK manufacturing PMI from S&P shows the sewage of September, which is hot on the heels of ONS data, in which the sector fell in the second three months of the year.

S&P Global Market Intelligence Director Rob Dobson said: “Final manufacturing PMI results provide more worrying news for UK industry health.”

Mike Thornton, the head of Industrial at the RSM UK, said that it could mean what could mean, saying: “The latest decline in manufacturing activity in September was another setback for the sector, which was showing a constant downward trend instead of seasonal dip in August.

“The output index has fallen to 45.7, the lowest level since March, as a signs of sharp recession in the level of production, as a weak demand, has a heavy weight on the sector to fall and reduce export activity.

“This continuous contraction suggests that manufacturers are operating back to reduce the market’s deteriorating market status, with a low signal of a rebound in the short term. So businesses should expect a stable approach for the remaining year.”

According to a new survey by the owners of the company, business confidence reached its lowest level on records last month.

The data from the Institute of Directors (IOD) showed that the firms stated that high labor costs have been the greatest contributor to the growing pessimism about the economy.

Industry Group’s Monthly Economic Confidence Index, which measures the business leader optimism about the possibilities of the UK economy, posted a minus 74 reading for September.

This marked a significant decline from Minus 61 and reached the lowest level as the index was launched more than nine years ago.

The US government is now in the shutdown, both sides have not managed not to agree on the funding plan.

While the stock markets generally did not respond much to this result – the futures show the S&P500 below 0.5 percent – the dollar has weakened further.

This means that you are getting more for your money now if you are going to America.

£ 1 is now $ 1.3465, which today is about 0.2 percent.

It was a little more earlier and we can expect a little more movement throughout the day.

It was $ 1.2521 at the beginning of the year – it is more than 7.3 percent since then.

The city is happy to the new Ftse 100 higher today, as the benchmark index tops the first 9,400 points.

This morning after 0.7 percent, it currently has about 9,414 points.

The highest raiser includes pharma trio Astrazheneka (6.1%), Hikma (3.6%) and GSK (2.5%).

“Astrajeneka, Hikma and GSK ralled after Donald Trump announced a plan to launch a government -run website for consumers directly to buy drugs from manufacturers. It seems that investors are gaining confidence after recent uncertainty about pricing and tariffs in the pharma sector. Mold, investment director was explained.

Gregs have revealed an increase in their sales in recent months, but have blamed a difficult consumer background for unusually warm July weather and recession.

High Street Bakery Chen with 2,675 shops in Britain has continued to expand its vast property across the country.

This reported an increase of 6.1% in sales in the third quarter of 2025, compared to the same period of one year ago.

On an uniform basis, which excludes the impact of the opening of the new shop, the increase in sales in company-related shops slowed down to 1.5% year-on-year.

Another reminiscent is that October 5 is coming fast – and if you have a side canal and this has your income beyond £ 1000, it is the deadline to register for self -evaluation.

If you are on vinted, eBay and elsewhere, in that perspective, it only means 20 pounds in a week that you cross that range.

Finder’s money expert Kate Stear said: “Side hustals are becoming increasingly popular as domestic budget is squeezed by inflation, but many people do not realize that they can be responsible for tax, even though they are earning a relatively low amount every month. All these are earning more than £ 80 in a month.

“If you are in this boat, while you do not need to submit tax returns by the end of January, you need to register for yourself before 5 October.

“Miss this, and you can face a failure-to-penalty. When you are on it, why not open your future by opening a dedicated business account and a break? Separating your personal finance from your side hustle income will lead to the whole process when it comes to filing your tax return.”

Credit card firm Aqua has released the results of a survey of 500 young adults (18–24 years old) and, a small sample size, results are opening the eye.

Top Financial lessons they wanted to know earlier that ‘how to invest’ (21%), ‘How to budget’ (19%) and what is the meaning of credit score (18%).

Perhaps it is more notable where they are going for this.

18-24-Year children are more likely to turn to Tiktok (22.2%) than their university (15.8%) for financial guidance, reading the report.

Good that they are going out and trying to find information, but of course, but be careful on social media – there are plenty of wrong or lump sum.

Always make sure that you are using reputed accounts, individuals or companies if you go for information.

Aqua’s Sharavan Selvam said: “These results suggest that many youth talk about managing their money, especially around credit and budget.

The International Distribution Services (IDS), which owns the firm Postal Service, has concluded the purchase of 49 percent shares in the Parcel Company Collect+, the part of the deal means that 8,000 stores will now be branded royal mail.

This means that high street stores will sell postal at the counter and customers can pay the bill individually instead of online only.

The deal, which is priced at £ 43.9m, will also see the self-service kiosk installed in some shops next year, maintaining the general operation of the collecting+, including the inaugural hours, including the weekend and evening, including sending and returning parcels from another carrier.