London’s financial markets saw a modest uptick on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, with blue chip indices in the UK, France, and Germany all registering midday gains. Yet, the optimism on trading floors was tempered by a notable delay from the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS), which announced it would postpone the release of its much-anticipated retail sales data by two weeks. The figures, originally scheduled for publication on Friday, August 22, will now be unveiled on September 5, 2025. The ONS cited the need for “further quality assurance” as the reason for this deferment, and issued an apology for any inconvenience caused.
According to Alliance News, the ONS’s decision marks the latest in a series of setbacks for the agency. Earlier this year, the ONS had to amend April’s consumer price index after uncovering a miscalculation related to vehicle excise duty. This latest delay has left economists and investors waiting for crucial insights into consumer behavior at a time when the UK’s retail sector is under scrutiny.
“We’re postponing the release to allow for further quality assurance,” the ONS stated, emphasizing its commitment to accuracy. An ONS spokesperson told the Financial Times that more information will be provided once the data is ready for publication. For many in the financial community, this move is a double-edged sword: while they appreciate the vigilance, the delay adds a layer of uncertainty during a period of economic turbulence.
Meanwhile, the UK’s business landscape continues to face headwinds. Official data from the Insolvency Service revealed that 2,081 companies across England and Wales went bust in July 2025. That’s a 1% increase compared to June, and an 11% jump from July 2024. Even more striking, the number of compulsory liquidations—a process where businesses are forced to close due to unpaid debts—was a quarter higher than the monthly average across 2024. The elevated insolvency levels have persisted since the UK hit a 30-year annual high in 2023, underscoring the relentless uncertainty confronting firms grappling with higher costs and shifting consumer demand.
Experts have pointed to “relentless uncertainty” in the global economic environment as a major factor challenging UK businesses. The combination of inflationary pressures, supply chain disruptions, and fluctuating consumer confidence has made it difficult for many firms to stay afloat. The elevated number of insolvencies is a stark reminder of these ongoing challenges.
Despite these economic woes, London’s stock markets managed to eke out gains on Tuesday. The FTSE 100 index rose by 9.78 points, or 0.2%, closing at 9,177.52. The FTSE 250 also climbed 90.77 points (0.2%) to finish at 21,840.34, while the AIM All-Share was up 1.71 points (0.2%) at 762.87. The Cboe UK 100, UK 250, and Small Companies indices each posted modest increases as well.
Several individual stocks made headlines. Cranswick, a Hull-based meat producer, saw its shares rise by 1.4% even as Tesco and Asda suspended supplies from one of its pig farms following allegations of animal cruelty. The Mail on Sunday reported that the allegations stemmed from ten months of covert filming at Somerby Top Farm in Lincolnshire by an animal rights group. This isn’t the first time Cranswick has faced scrutiny; its shares had previously tumbled in May after similar allegations surfaced at another Lincolnshire farm.
Elsewhere on the AIM market, Power Metal Resources surged 11% after selling its remaining stake in Guardian Metal—a Nevada-focused tungsten explorer—for £13.6 million. The buyer, an investment fund managed by Duquesne Family Office LLC, increased its stake in Guardian Metal to 14.8%. Power Metal highlighted that its original investment in Guardian Metal was £1.9 million, and it had now realized a nearly 12-fold return through two disposals totaling £22.8 million.
Tribal Group, a Bristol-based educational software and services provider, led the AIM index at midday with a 21% jump in share price. The company reported that its pretax profit soared to £5.6 million in the six months to June 30, 2025, up from £1.0 million the year prior. Although revenue grew just 0.9% to £45.3 million, Tribal expressed optimism about surpassing full-year market expectations, projecting revenue of £89.9 million, adjusted Ebitda of £14.6 million, and net debt of £4.9 million.
On the currency front, the pound sterling was quoted at $1.3523 at midday in London, a slight uptick from $1.3517 at Monday’s close. The euro also edged higher to $1.1686, while the US dollar strengthened against the yen, trading at JP¥147.71 compared to JP¥146.96. “The US dollar was relatively steady on Tuesday, with investors positioning ahead of the Federal Reserve’s annual Jackson Hole symposium later this week,” commented Exness analyst Inki Cho. “Chair Jerome Powell is scheduled to speak and could provide fresh signals on the path of interest rates. A more cautious approach could underpin the greenback, while doveish remarks would likely place renewed selling pressure.”
In European markets, the CAC 40 in Paris rose 0.8%, while Frankfurt’s DAX 40 gained 0.3%. The eurozone’s balance of payments surplus reached €35.83 billion in June 2025, up 13% from May but still 28% lower than the €49.71 billion recorded in June 2024. Over the 12 months to June, the surplus totaled €318 billion, equal to 2.0% of the eurozone’s GDP, compared with €386 billion (2.6% of GDP) a year earlier. These figures, reported by the European Central Bank, came in ahead of market expectations, which had anticipated a decline.
On the commodities front, Brent oil was quoted lower at $65.80 a barrel at midday, down from $66.07 late Monday. Gold, meanwhile, was trading higher at $3,342.56 an ounce compared to $3,334.83 the previous day. Yet, as Traze analyst Osama Al Saifi noted, “gold’s upside potential could be limited.” Al Saifi pointed to US President Donald Trump’s diplomatic efforts with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which have raised hopes for a trilateral summit and a potential framework for peace. This, along with Hamas’ acceptance of a ceasefire proposal and the inauguration of Uganda’s first large-scale gold mine, could weigh on gold prices.
Looking ahead, investors are bracing for the Federal Reserve’s Jackson Hole symposium, where Chair Jerome Powell’s remarks could set the tone for global markets in the coming weeks. With the ONS’s retail sales data now on hold until September, market watchers will have to wait a little longer for a clearer picture of UK consumer sentiment. In the meantime, the resilience of London’s markets—and the challenges facing British businesses—will remain in sharp focus.
