Share Sounds from Share Radio Afternoon related to Economics - UK

The FTSE 100 opened lower today, in part due to miner Fresnillo suffering earlier in the day, then later Engineer GKN pushed down the index, warning it might not be able to sustain its current growth. For more of the day's big company news, Robyn Dwyer was joined by Chris Bailey, founder of FinancialOrbit.com

The "Macron rally" that marked the start of this week and bolstered European markets seems to have steadied and cooled, with even the FTSE opening lower. To discuss this and more macro news, Robyn Dwyer spoke to Ben Kumar from 7 Investment Managment.

With polls suggesting the pro-EU centrist Emmanuel Macron will emerge as the comfortable winner over the far-right Marine Le Pen in the final run-off election in France, bondholders have begun snapping up French assets once again. For more, Sarah Lowther was joined by Mike Bell, Global Market Strategist at JP Morgan.

Luxury goods maker Jimmy Choo has offered the company up for sale after a slowdown in sales in recent years. The company, which is valued at about £700m, could attract the attention of rival luxury brands. For more on this and other company announcements, Michael Considine was joined by Ken Odeluga, Market Analyst at City Index.

European markets have been dominated by the fallout from Emmanuel Macron's victory in the French presidential election. Macron came out on top with 23.7% of the votes against Le Pen's 21.5%. Macron is now expected to win the run-off between the two of them. To look at the economic climate in France in more detail, and for more of the day's big macro news, Michael Considine was joined by Jamie McGeever, Chief Markets Correspondent at Reuters.

The latest finance bill, which follows last month's budget, has ambitious plans to digitise the UK tax system, and it may be dropped altogether because of the General election. Alternatively, it could be rushed through the Commons on Tuesday. The government is set to hold emergency negotiations with Labour over the final bill, attempting to push through and change complex clauses with minimal debate so it can be passed by the deadline on the 25th. For more on this, Ed Bowsher was joined by Anita Monteith, Tax manager at The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Sports Direct has bought into some US businesses, buying 50 sports stores in the US including Bob's Stores and Eastern Mountain Sports. The previous owner of the stores, who sold them to Sports Direct for $100m, had filed for bankruptcy. For more on this and other company news, Ed Bowsher spoke to Craig Erlam, Senior Market Analyst at Oanda.

Donald Trump has launched a security review that could lead to heavy tariffs on steel imports. Analysts are now asking if this a step toward a full-blown trade war with China. Ed Bowsher was joined by Nandini Ramakrishan, Global market strategist at JP Morgan, to discuss this and some of the big macros news of the day in more detail.

The UK stock market is still attracting investment, beating out other countries in spite of potential political risks such as leaving the European Union and the upcoming General Election. So what makes it such an enticing prospect? For more on this and the latest best bits from Moneyweek, Ed Bowsher was joined by Merryn Somerset Webb, Editor in chief of the magazine.

Retailer Debenhams has launched a new turnaround strategy, including shutting just over 5% of its stores and cutting jobs at its warehouses. Ed Bowsher spoke to Richard J Hunter, Head of Research at Wilson King Investment Management, to analyse the new plans for the brand, and more of the latest company news.