DAILY BRIEFING: Manchester Airport breaks into the European top 20 after seeing 1.6m passengers last month
AIRPORT TAKE-OFF Manchester Airport has broken into the European top 20 after being used by 1.6m passengers last month.
Passenger numbers at the northern hub grew 17.7 per cent in January to 25.9million over the past 12 months.
It is now the 20th busiest airline in Europe. Passenger numbers at Stansted also grew 5 per cent, to £1.7million.
Charlie Cornish, chief executive of Manchester Airport Group, which owns the two airports, said: 'Airlines are seeing the value of the capacity we offer and our double-digit growth is testament to our airports' strong appeal.'
MILESTONE FIXED Screwfix has opened its 500th UK store. Since opening its first outlet in Yeovil, Somerset, in 2005, it has opened one a week for the past six years, with its latest in London boosting its workforce to more than 10,000.
Chief executive Andrew Livingston said: 'This is a significant moment for our business and demonstrates our focus on continued growth to meet the needs of our busy customers.'
SHOP'S PAIN The High Street has suffered its worst January sales period in four years as shoppers shunned the discounted racks to spend online, figures show.
January's like-for-like sales fell by 0.1 per cent, the first negative growth over the crucial discounting period since 2013, according to the BDO high street sales tracker. It comes straight after a dismal December that also saw a year-on-year drop of 0.1 per cent.
BDO said the lack of spending in the busiest two months of the year had left retailers nervous, with shoppers facing inflation, price increases and political uncertainty.
BANK SUFFERS Profits at German lender Commerzbank slumped by 65 per cent to £547million in 2016 after a woeful year for European banks. It was rocked by market turmoil, record-low interest rates and sluggish growth on the Continent.
Its larger rival, Deutsche Bank, has also had a tough 12 months, handing over billions in US fines as speculation raged over its future.
INVESTMENT HIT Investors pulled £4billion out of Henderson Group last year as markets were hit by fears over China, US President Donald Trump's election win and Brexit.
Profits fell 17 per cent to £139.2million and it announced a dividend of 7.3p per share. The firm is on track to complete a £4.2billion merger with US rival Janus Capital by the end of May.
Shares fell 1.8 per cent, or 4p, to 212.9p.
FORBES LEAVES Senior Bank of England official Kristin Forbes is to leave at the end of June after only three years in the job.
The American economist has been on the Monetary Policy Committee, which sets interest rates, since 2014. She is taking a role at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
- The families who pay less to vacuum when it rains... or...
- Bovis buyers who became victims of the rush to build:...
- The (very clean) factory where dreams are made: Inside...
- ASK TONY: I tried to withdraw £200 and the cash machine...
- Savings market chaos adds insult to UK's injured savers:...
- Tax raid that could hike the price of YOUR holiday: B&Bs;,...
- Interest rate rise may be needed soon to curb inflation,...
- Savers dealt a fresh blow as NS&I; slashes rates on four...
- House prices fell £2,000 in January, says Halifax, as...
- DAN HYDE: Wholesale energy prices are lower than they...
- No loan advice for over-60s: Banks refusing to meet...
- FTSE CLOSE: Footsie up by a whisker as strong gains in...
- Now even Germany wants to scupper LSE deal: Deutsche boss...
- Why ripped jeans were a disaster for New Look: Retailer...
- Unmarried woman wins right to claim her late long-term...
- FTSE 250 soars to record high and pound bounces back as...
- The Body Shop 'set for £852m sale' as L'Oreal sees sales...
- HAMISH MCRAE: Should we take a leaf out of Ireland's book...