AstraZeneca cancer drug drives FTSE 100 higher

Good morning.

There is a further unwelcome reminder of the expense-of-dwelling disaster this morning, as new ONS information confirmed true earnings fell at their speediest pace for 8 years in December.

Modified for inflation, regular wages excluding bonuses fell 1.2pc. That is the largest decrease considering that 2014.

What’s far more, the squeeze on disposable incomes is set to deepen, with larger power costs, tax rises and more curiosity charge increases all placing additional stress on residence budgets in the spring.

5 issues to start off your day 

1) Taxman opens 20 investigations into crypto property: HMRC has opened extra than 20 prison investigations involving crypto assets such as Bitcoin

2) Funds airline Wizz applies for transatlantic licence: The spending budget airline Wizz Air is preparing its initial transatlantic flights, The Telegraph can expose

3) Metropolis advisers brace for sanctions on Kremlin-managed Gazprom: Bankers, legal professionals and PR consultants in the City are contingency arranging to slash ties with the Kremlin-controlled electrical power giant Gazprom amid fears it could be the target of sanctions 

4) Sadiq Khan hits commuters with highest Tube fare increase in a lot more than a decade: Mayor blames TfL funding crisis for 4.8computer system jump in Underground fares and 6.5pc hike in bus fares

5) Moderna set to strike offer for British isles vaccine hub: US biotech in sophisticated talks with ministers more than opening a vaccine analysis and manufacturing centre in the United kingdom

What happened overnight 

Asian marketplaces generally fell yet again on Tuesday, extending a world provide-off fuelled by fears that Russia is about to invade Ukraine. Hong Kong, Sydney, Seoul, Wellington and Manila slipped but Shanghai, Taipei and Jakarta edged up. Tokyo dipped as investors brushed off details showing Japan’s economic climate rebounded in the closing a few months of 2021.

Coming up these days

Company: Glencore, Moreover500 (total-year final results)

Economics: Unemployment (United kingdom), claimant rely adjust (United kingdom), common earnings (British isles), GDP (EU), ZEW economic sentiment (EU), producer value index (US)