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Vape tax comes into effect - but prices won't rise yet

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UK 30-year borrowing costs hit 6%, highest since 1998, as government bond sell-off intensifies – business live
Global bond rout kicks off again, with US 10-year Treasury yields hitting highest since 2002 Worryingly for Paris, the difference between French and German borrowing costs has widened to a 14-year high this morning. The gap between French and German government bond yields – a market gauge of the risk premium investors demand to hold French debt - was at 127.51 bps, after reaching 128.80 bps, its highest level since June 2012, Reuters reports . Inflation, deficit and issuance concerns continue to weigh on the bond market. There is also a buyers strike on the street as investors do not want to step in till we get some form of stability. Hedge Funds have suffered in the latest round of sell-off and do not have the risk appetite to fade the move. Real money, potentially has the risk appetite, but won’t step in till we get some stability. Continue reading...

Boots owner ‘closing in on sale to Canada’s Weston family for $9bn’
Deal would mark return of Canadian family to UK after it sold Selfridges department store for £4bn in 2022 Business live – latest updates The private equity owner of high street pharmacy Boots is reportedly closing in on a deal to sell the business to the Canadian branch of the billionaire Weston family for $9bn (£7bn). Sycamore Partners, which bought the wider Walgreens Boots Alliance for $23.7bn in 2025, is said to be in advanced talks with the Westons, with the Financial Times reporting that a deal could be completed as soon as next week. Continue reading...

UK bookmakers that warned over illicit market had deal with offshore casinos
Content provider part-owned by Ladbrokes, William Hill and Betfred owner signed deal with Santeda network, Casino Secrets leak reveals Three UK bookmakers that have repeatedly warned of the dangers of the illicit market have also benefited from a lucrative deal with one of the world’s largest offshore casinos, the Guardian can reveal. Details of the arrangement emerged as a result of last week’s Casino Secrets leak , which saw the release of thousands of confidential files held by the gambling regulator on the Caribbean island of Curaçao, a haven for offshore betting sites. Continue reading...
10-year Treasury yield hits highest level since 2002 as global bond rout gathers pace
Treasury yields were higher on Thursday amid a global sell-off in government debt.
The U.S. just made it much easier for retail investors to access private markets
The Securities and Exchange Commission has approved new plans to open private markets up to retail investors.
Russia launches massive strikes on Ukraine’s energy grid, forcing power cuts ahead of winter
Seven people were killed in the attack and emergency power cuts were imposed in Kyiv and three other regions.