BUSINESS LIVE: Ashtead posts record profits; Whitbread’s UK sales flatline; SThree hit by challenging market

Ashtead shares dropped after revealing a slowdown in revenue growth in the fourth quarter, despite posting record revenues for the year.

The London-listed building equipment rental company said revenue for the fourth quarter ending April 30, rose 7 per cent year-on-year to $2.63billion (around £2.22billion).

The takeover of Royal Mail will trigger a fees bonanza for bankers and advisers – including ex Labour frontbencher Chuka Umunna.

Royal Mail’s owner International Distribution Services (IDS) is being bought by Daniel Kretinsky, known as the Czech Sphinx, for £3.6billion.

When you think of generative AI and fraud, your mind might not immediately conjure up images of it being used as a force for good.

Quite the opposite – criminals have been using new advances in AI with great success to trick their victims out of money. It allows them to create fake ads and scam websites faster than ever before.

Motorists face major changes over the next parliament as the switch to electric vehicles gathers pace and debate rages over everything from road tax, to parking and low emmissions zones.

So, what are the major political parties promising drivers in the general election – and are they paying enough attention to them?

The obituary for share trading in London has been written many times.

However, the latest data shows that London’s equity markets have regained leadership over Paris, in spite of France hosting LVMH, Europe’s most valuable enterprise.

Experts have warned that Labour’s ambition to boost workers’ pay risks stoking inflation – meaning interest rates and mortgage bills could stay higher for longer.

Economists at HSBC said that forcing firms to spend more on wages could drive up prices.

BrewDog’s founder is launching an influencer app with the help of his TV personality girlfriend.

James Watt quit as chief executive of the craft beer giant a month ago.

London has regained its crown as Europe’s biggest stock market after political turmoil in France sent shares in Paris tumbling.

In a major boost for the City, data compiled by Bloomberg showed UK stocks are valued at £2.51 trillion.

UBS will take a £700million hit after offering to pay back investors caught up in the collapse of finance firm Greensill Capital.

The Swiss banking giant has offered to pay the former Credit Suisse customers 90 per cent of the value of the Greensill-linked funds.

More towns in Britain are set to receive a banking hub under a Labour government.

It has pledged to roll out 350 banking hubs in towns and villages across Britain over the next five years.

The pound at 8am was 1.2698 dollars compared to 1.2685 dollars at the previous close.