There’s been a worrying increase in the number of retail and hospitality firms in financial distress.

The latest Christmas “Red Flag Alert” from Begbies Traynor shows that 1,947 general retail businesses and 1,034 bars and restaurants are in ‘critical’ distress – an increase of 16.7% against the same period last year.

Julie Palmer, regional managing partner at Begbies Traynor, explains:

“Even after the ‘golden quarter’ started better than expected, reduced consumer confidence and economic uncertainty in the run up to the Budget meant that spending from consumers took a real hit.

“Combined with this has been the delayed effect of Black Friday on retailers, with consumers holding back purchases until late November, which has led to a price war which has further reduced retailer margins.

“If anything, the situation with the hospitality sector is even more precarious – especially for bars and restaurants. Typically, this sector operates on narrow margins and even small changes to the cost base can have a devastating impact. This year the sector has dealt with a tidal wave of challenges including increases to both employers NI and the national minimum wage, as well as a cost of living squeeze reducing consumers disposable income. In addition, changes to the business rates regime will negatively impact this sector with more than 3,000 small pubs having to pay business rates for the first time.

The London stock market has just closed for the Christmas break, with no sign of the hoped-for Santa rally.

The blue-chip FTSE 100 index has ended today’s session down 18.5 points, or 0.2%, at 9,879 points, away from yesterday’s near-record closing high.

Fantasy gaming retailer Games Workshop (-1.46%) were the top faller, followed by precious metals producer Fresnillo (-1.4%) – both have had very strong years though.

The FTSE 250 share index, which is a better measure of the UK economy, dipped by 0.16% today.

Fashion retailers have launched early discounts after a mild autumn and winter for much of the country held back sales of knitwear and coats.

New Look, Boohoo and Sports Direct are all offering up to 70% on Christmas Eve while Next was set to launch its sale online at 4pm today with offerings of up to 50% – a level of discount matched by Hobbs, Topshop and Primark as well as John Lewis. While Marks & Spencer has held off discounting fashion, it has discounts of up to 40% on homeware and fragrance.

Despite hopes of a last minute rush, footfall on high streets has been down year-on-year matching a gradual trend as sales have shifted online. Visitor numbers were down 4.5% on Tuesday compared to the 23 December last year according to analysts MRI as a bounce back in cities including London offset by poor numbers in towns and shopping malls.

The latest sales tracker from advisory firm BDO found that overall sales were 1% for its set of mid-sized chains, which are led by fashion specialists, as a surge in late online orders offset poor sales in shops.

However, retail insiders say the mild wet season has not been good for the retail sector as it has combined with lacklustre consumer sentiment and fears about the economy to depress sales.

Once the London stock market shuts at lunchtime, City workers will have a few days off before trading resumes on Monday 29th December.

But 1.2 million workers will be working this Christmas Day, reports the TUC, who are calling on everyone to spare a thought for these festive workers.

Many of them are carers, nurses and retail staff – and the clergy, of course! – says the TUC, with many in low-paid and insecure work.

TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak explains:

“For many of us, Christmas Day is a special time to spend with our nearest and dearest.

“So, we should all spare a thought for the people who will be hard at work, while we’re opening our presents, tucking into the turkey and relaxing with our families.

“Let’s stop and pay thanks to all those who keep the services we rely upon running during the Christmas break.”

He adds:

Many working on Christmas Day will be on zero-hours contracts – especially in sectors like social care and hospitality.

“But when the Employment Rights Act comes into force, exploitative zero-hours contracts should be consigned to history.

“Banning exploitative zero-hours contracts, sick pay for all, expanding parental and bereavement leave – these are just some of the watershed measures the legislation will now deliver.

Is the Christmas shopping period more of a whimper than a bang for Britain’s retailers this year?

Shopper traffic yesterday remained “stubbornly muted”, according to the latest footfall data from Sensormatic Solutions, which shows that visits were 13.1% lower than a year ago.

That suggests there hasn’t yet been much of a last-minute festive rush to the shops, which would disappoint retailers hoping for a sales surge.

Andy Sumpter, EMEA retail consultant at Sensormatic Solutions, says:

“After an unsettled start to the festive period - defined by shaky consumer confidence and spending hesitancy – retailers will be left feeling frustrated that footfall remains stubbornly muted, after many were pinning their hopes on a surge in store traffic yesterday.”

“With consumers leaving purchases right up to the wire, some retailers have released Boxing Day deals early to try and unlock that, so far, elusive consumer spending.”

The oil price has hit its highest level in two weeks, driven up by robust US economic growth and the risk of supply disruptions from Venezuela and Russia.

Brent crude has gained 0.5% this morning to $62.72 per barrel, the highest since 10 December.

Today’s gains come as the US continues to impose blockage sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, leading to supply shortage fears.

Yesterday’s news that the American economy grew faster than expected in July-September could indicate higher demand for energy

IG analyst Tony Sycamore says:

“What we’ve seen over the past week is a combination of position squaring in thin markets, after last week’s breakdown failed to gain traction, coupled with heightened geopolitical tensions, including the US blockade on Venezuela and supported by last night’s robust GDP data.”

Oil has gained about 6% since December 16, when it plunged to near five-year lows.

Earlier this week China and Russia have expressed support for Venezuela, as Donald Trump ramped up his pressure campaign on the South American country’s president, Nicolás Maduro.

It’s not too late to snaffle some last-minute Christmas presents (unless, ahem, you’re still toiling away at your desk).

And if you have a Gen-Zer on your list, you might want to check out ‘retro tech’ options.

Kit such as CD players and compact discs are back on Christmas lists this year amid a wave of 90s nostalgia.

John Lewis has upped its range of CD players to meet resurgent demand and says sales are up 74% in the last year. “We’re seeing something of a retro renaissance,” said Heather Andrews, one of its electricals buyers.

The format’s cause is being helped by the return of classic 90s acts such as Oasis and Pulp (ah, the good old days….). More here:

There’s no sign of the fabled Santa rally yet, with the London stock market a little lower in early trading.

The FTSE 100 share index has dipped by four points to 9,885 points, 45 points away from its all-time high.

The pound has hit its highest level against the US dollar in three months.

Sterling hit $1.3534 early this morning, its strongest level since 24 September.

The dollar is weaker despite surprisingly strong US economic growth data yesterday, with traders anticipating a slowdown in the current quarter.

We have some Christmas Eve deal action – BP has agreed to sell a majority stake in its Castrol division to US investment firm Stonepeak Partners for $6bn.

The UK oil giant will divest a 65% stake in the lubricants unit, in a deal that values Castrol at $10.1 billion including debt.

This is a significant step in BP’ push to sell $20bn of assets, to reduce its debt pile – just days after it ousted its CEO, Murray Auchincloss, and appointed Meg O’Neill as its first female chief executive.

Carol Howle, interim CEO at bp, said:

“Today’s announcement is a very good outcome for all stakeholders. We concluded a thorough strategic review of Castrol, that generated extensive interest and resulted in the sale of a majority interest to Stonepeak.

The transaction allows us to realise value for our shareholders, generating significant proceeds while continuing to benefit from Castrol’s strong growth momentum. And with this, we have now completed or announced over half of our targeted $20bn divestment programme, with proceeds to significantly strengthen bp’s balance sheet. The sale marks an important milestone in the ongoing delivery of our reset strategy.

We are reducing complexity, focusing the downstream on our leading integrated businesses, and accelerating delivery of our plan. And we are doing so with increasing intensity - with a continued focus on growing cash flow and returns, and delivering value for our shareholders.”

Today is traditionally the start of the Santa Rally period, the period at the end of the year when stock markets tend to rise.

However, Santa may be late this year – FTSE futures are down 0.07% this morning, a day after the UK’s stock market closed near to a record high.

Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of business, the financial markets and the world economy.

Gold has climbed over the $4,500 per ounce mark for the first time ever, on the final trading day before Christmas.

As investors look for signs of a Santa Rally today, bullion has risen as high as $4,525 per ounce. Gold has risen for 11 of the last 12 days, taking its gains in 2025 to over 70%, its best year since 1979.

There’s a general frenzy in the precious metals market. Silver and platinum have also hit record highs, with silver reaching $72.16 an ounce and platinum climbing to $2,333.80 per ounce.

Investors are trying to hedge against geopolitical and trade risks, and also anticipate further US interest rate cuts in 2026; weakening the US dollar.

Ipek Ozkardeskaya, senior analyst at Swissquote, says:

We can say it: it’s been a golden year. Gold has renewed record highs more than 50 times this year and rose more than 70%, while silver’s gains have been even more impressive. The grey metal is up around 150% since January, driven by the so-called debasement trade — the idea that fiat currencies lose purchasing power over time due to heavy debt, persistent deficits, loose monetary policy and financial repression (rates below inflation). Add rising demand for silver and copper to limited supply, and the performance of these metals becomes easier to explain.

The reasonable answer is that the forces pushing metal prices higher remain firmly in place: heavy government debt into 2026 — check; persistent and widening deficits in developed markets — check; loose monetary policy and low real yields — check; geopolitical uncertainty — check; tight supply and rising demand — check. In theory, the medium- to long-term outlook remains positive.

The agenda

• 12.30pm GMT: London stock market closes early for Christmas!

• 1.30pm GMT: US weekly jobless claims