Business news live: Markets face volatility with end of tariff pause

July 7, 2025

(Getty Images)

Following a week where concern over the future of Rachel Reeves’ job led to bond yields shooting up and Donald Trump signed his Big Beautiful Bill, this week brings with it the latest Halifax housing data and the end of the US president’s 90-day tariff pause.

It’s the latter which may well be the side focus of almost everything else this week, with higher volatility expected in stock markets, currency markets and potentially bond markets too as investors grapple with the possible outcomes and nations try to seal trade agreements with the biggest economy on the planet.

The UK will also get GDP estimates later this week, while all eyes will be on Nvidia to see if the chipmaker continues its upward trajectory to become the world’s first $4tn public listed company, having hit new highs recently in its share price.

Follow The Independent’s live coverage of the latest stock market and business news here:

House prices dropped in the last quarter, data shows

Halifax’s house price index is out this morning and the headline numbers are zero and -0.3.

To make that a little more helpful, we’re talking zero monthly chance in average prices from May into June.

And that means across the second quarter of the year, April to June, prices on average decreased by 0.3 per cent.

Annual growth has dipped a little, therefore, but it’s still at 2.5 per cent – with Northern Ireland seeing the strongest price growth in the UK.

Karl Matchett7 July 2025 08:25

Trump delays end date for tariff trade deals pause

The big overnight news came from yet another flip-flop from President Trump, as the US leader rolled back the end date on 90-day pause on trade tariffs.

An announcement that deals would now continue to be negotiated until 1 August, more than a three-week extension, is perhaps testament to the fact only three agreements have been reached: UK, China and Vietnam.

Trump had earlier spoken of 90 deals in 90 days.

Karl Matchett7 July 2025 07:59

Taxpayers face £1bn hit from oil refinery closure

A report into the failed Lindsey oil refinery suggests UK taxpayers will take a £1bn hit if a buyer cannot be found.

The Times reported that HMRC are owed around £250m, while decommissioning costs could be from £700m to £3bn.

The demise of Prax has put 400 jobs at risk with the refinery placed into receivership last week.

Karl Matchett7 July 2025 07:29

Stock markets expected to face volatility this week

With Trump’s 90-day pause on tariffs ending later this week, it’s worth a look at how stock markets have fared of late.

It’s expected they will face heightened volatility as the deadline draws near, with uncertainty around China and the EU’s deals in particular.

Over the past month:

  • FTSE 100: +0.3 per cent
  • S&P 500: +5.2pc
  • Nasdaq 100: +6.2pc
  • German DAX: -1.91pc
  • French CAC 40: -0.72pc
  • Japan’s Nikkei 225: +5.47pc
Karl Matchett7 July 2025 07:16

Up to 23m people may expect car finance scandal compensation

Consumer law firm Slater and Gordon have conducted a survey and concluded that up to 23m may be expecting compensation due to the car finance scandal.

The Supreme Court is set for a final ruling on the issue, with the Financial Conduct Authority then potentially setting up a formal redress scheme for lenders to compensate consumers.

Elizabeth Comley, chief operating officer of Slater and Gordon, said: “The public have very high expectations on the car finance scandal. They rightly expect to be compensated for their losses. The FCA is trying put things right but there’s a risk that a redress scheme leaves many people disappointed and keen to challenge the process. That sort of backlash would be bad for everyone – the scandal would drag on for years, the courts would be inundated with challenges and the public would be denied the clear resolution they want.”

Karl Matchett7 July 2025 07:08

Business news live – Monday 7 July

Good morning and welcome to another week of business news and financial coverage here on The Independent.

Coming up today and across the rest of the week we’ll be seeing how markets, companies and trade bodies react to the approaching end of Trump’s 90-day tariff pause.

We’ll also have the latest domestic news with GDP estimates, house price data and more.

Karl Matchett7 July 2025 06:58