Introducing Surge - Intelligent Book and Execution Optimisation Platform

Domestic news is in the headlines today as the UK economy unexpectedly shrank at the start of 2025, piling fresh pressure on the Labour government over the lack of momentum since it returned to power. Gross domestic product fell 0.1% in January, hit by declines in manufacturing and construction. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is under pressure to deliver on March 26.

Meanwhile, in US political news, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said his party would block a Republican spending bill to avert a government shutdown on Saturday and urged the GOP to accept a Democratic plan to provide funding through April 11 instead.

Equity markets have had another tough session as Trump’s latest tariffs on steel and aluminum imports came into force. The retaliation has begun, with the European Union launching countermeasures on American goods worth €26 billion.