The FTSE 100 is up 0.3 per cent in early trading. Among the companies with reports and trading updates today are CRH, Vertu Motors, and James Fisher and Sons. Read the Monday 19 December Business Live blog below.

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But his stance may alarm critics of overseas takeovers, who are likely to oppose any attempts to narrow the scope of the new rules. ","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Mike Sheen"},"dateModified":"2022-12-19T08:10:41+00:00","datePublished":"2022-12-19T08:10:41+00:00","headline":"Kwasi Kwarteng: The UK's shield against predators is too wide - we spend too much time investigating...website Streeter, senior investment and markets analyst, Hargreaves Lansdown:
'As a chill settles on markets, there is not much sign of a sustained Santa rally instead there is still a lack of overall cheer with investors mulling more interest rate rises and the never-ending story of the pandemic. The winter wave of Covid crashing over China is proving unsettling with worries about an escalation of infections now outweighing hopes that the easing of restrictions would lead to a brighter outlook for the economy.
'Chinese business confidence has fallen to its lowest since January 2013, according to data from World Economics, and as consumers desert streets and hunker down, while companies brace for mass absences, the immediate outlook remains bleak.
'In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng lost early gains to trade 0.8% lower while the Nikkei fell around 1% and the yen rose, as speculation swirled that the Bank of Japan might start to tighten its loose monetary policy.
'After fresh set backs on Wall Street on Friday, stocks are forecast to gain a little ground, but sentiment is still expected to be subdued. Concerns that the US will be dragged into recession, as the Federal Reserve tries to tame the wild horse of inflation are still front and centre.
'In London, the internationally focused FTSE 100 is expected to open marginally higher after being smacked lower on Friday, but headwinds are still whipping around for the more domestically aligned FTSE 250 given the current difficulties facing the UK. Another week of strike action from post and rail workers is set to cause more disruption for retailers and hospitality firms, in particular, in what is usually a crucial week for festive sales.
'The Brexit hangover is showing signs of intensifying with fresh unwelcome repercussions compounding the issues facing the NHS, as nurses and ambulance staff prepare to strike this week. A new report from the Nuffield Trust has highlighted the slowdown in recruitment from Europe has made shortages of staff more acute while it cites trade barriers as one of the problems causing supply issues of vital medicines.
'The Tesla and Twitter symbiosis continues, with shares in the electric vehicle maker continuing to slide while Twitter turbulence continues.  Tesla shares lost another 1.2% in pre-market trading following a fall of 4.7% on Friday.
'Elon Musk’s latest ruse is a poll on the social platform asking users to assess whether he should stay or go as CEO. Witnessing a chief executive making crucial business decisions based on the verdict of the court of public opinion is unnerving, particularly at a time when Tesla investors are craving a return to stability.
'Shares are now down by more than 62% year to date, not helped by Elon Musk offloading fresh chunks of holdings and his regular jaunts into controversy. However, if he does decide to step down, that could inject Tesla shares with a temporary shot of optimism, amid hopes he might finally pay the carmaker the attention it needs at a time when it’s being shaken by expectations of falling demand in China, the world’s largest car market.'","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Mike Sheen"},"dateModified":"2022-12-19T08:09:06+00:00","datePublished":"2022-12-19T08:09:06+00:00","headline":"Santa rally proving website Musk has vowed to step down as head of the social media giant if his followers vote for him to be sacked - and the odds are not currently in his favor. 
As it currently stands, the majority of Twitter users want the billionaire to hand in his resignation as head of the company - with over 13 million people already voting in the poll. 
'Should I step down as head of Twitter? I will abide by the results of this poll,' the Chief Twit posted just before 6.30pm on Sunday evening. ","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Mike Sheen"},"dateModified":"2022-12-19T08:01:14+00:00","datePublished":"2022-12-19T08:01:14+00:00","headline":"Elon might be ousted! Poll to sack Musk as Head of Twitter edges towards his defeat after he promises to...website website Sheen"]