AJ Bell Money & Markets Deal or no deal? Conflict drives oil volatility and UK inflation
Mar 27, 2026
Geopolitical tension around Iran is rattling oil markets and investor nerves. The UK’s inflation picture and looming food-price pressures get unpacked. Corporate moves from Kingfisher, Revolut and a possible beauty-sector tie-up feature. Retail sales data looks grim, and Premier Foods discusses brand strategy, innovation and growth plans.
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Revolut Profits Surge After UK Banking Licence
- Revolut reported record profits (£1.7bn) after gaining a full UK banking licence and may pursue listings in London or the US.
- The banking licence enables product expansion like overdrafts and broader geographic licensing.
Estee Lauder Talks With Puig To Boost Fragrance Scale
- Estée Lauder and Puig are in talks for a possible ~$40bn combination to boost fragrance scale and reduce China reliance, but cultural and family-shareholder hurdles remain.
- Puig brings strong fragrance revenue (70%), complementing Estée Lauder's gaps in that area.
CBI Retail Survey Shows Sharp Sales Contraction
- CBI survey shows a sharp deterioration in UK retail sales volumes, with the weighted balance hitting -52 in March, the fastest decline since April 2020.
- The metric compares retailers reporting rising versus falling sales, weighted by market share.