1. HSBC to close a quarter of UK branches as more customers move to online banking
HSBC Holdings PLC (LSE:HSBA) has said it will close 114 of its UK branches from April next year, just over a quarter of the total number, as fewer customers visit its physical outlets and instead continue to move to digital banking.
2. Rolls-Royce 'inflection point' is coming to ruin short-sellers' fun, says Barclays
Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC (LSE:RR.) shares are being heavily shorted but there is potential for a “value unlock” around the corner, reckons Barclays.
3. FTSE 100 finishes ahead on strong commodity prices, lower inflation
At the close, the FTSE 100 held on to finish 0.6% higher at 7,573 points.
4. Bulb Energy takeover facing lengthy and expensive delay
Following Bulb’s collapse and bailing out by the government last year, Scottish Power, E.ON and Centrica PLC (LSE:CN) owned British Gas are calling for the Octopus deal to be put on hold due to questions about how the sale to a lone bidder was conducted.
5. Royal Mail using Ryde app to try and break union strike
Job adverts were posted on the app, which is used by delivery companies such as Gorillas and Evri, for workers to "complete deliveries using the Ryde app and Royal Mail vehicles".