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Thames Water has reported that it holds £515 million in cash, despite its total debt rising to £18.5 billion. This financial cushion is expected to sustain the company through the end of the year, amid ongoing concerns about its long-term viability.
In broader market news, European stock exchanges are experiencing significant declines. The FTSE 100 index in London has dropped by 82 points, or 0.78%, settling at 10,446. Other major indices have also seen losses, with Germany's Dax down 1%, France's CAC losing 0.3%, Italy's MiB slipping 0.7%, and Spain's Ibex falling nearly 1%.
The market downturn coincides with rising oil prices, as Brent crude has increased by 1.5%, reaching $86 per barrel. This spike is attributed to escalating tensions in the Middle East, where the US has conducted strikes against Iran for the fourth consecutive day, prompting retaliatory actions from Iran.
In currency movements, the British pound has seen a slight increase against the US dollar, rising by 0.1% to $1.3406.
These developments highlight a challenging economic landscape for both local and international markets, with implications for investors and consumers alike.
Source: www.theguardian.com – https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2026/jul/15/china-growth-thames-water-stock-markets-live-news-updates