City morning headlines: Car sales data due as BP pays $20 billion over Deepwater Horizon claims
We could get a hint about the impact of the VW emissons scandal on the brand today as car sales data is released, plus there will be reaction to BP's $20 billion pay out to settlement over the disastrous Deepwater Horizon spill.
Here's a look at those stories and what else is making headlines today:
These stories are breaking and may develop throughout the day. Keep checking the Standard's business pages for the latest.
Car sales data
New car sales figures for September will be published at 9am.
They will be picked over for signs that sales of VW cars have been affected by the emissions scandal, which broke in the last week of the month.
In August, the VW Polo was the UK's fifth best-selling car.
Most cars are likely to have been pre-ordered, however, so any impact may not be revealed until the next data arrives.
BP pays $20 billion for "certainty" over Gulf spill costs
BP has agreed a $20 billion settlement in the US over claims relating to the Deepwater Horizon spill.
The company said it would give it "certainty with respect to its financial obligations", the BBC reported.
Companies news highlights:
EasyJet follows Ryanair with a 7.6% rise in passengers in September to 6.6 million and 0.9 percentage point lift in load factor to 93.1%. It leaves forecasts for the year unchanged.
Bid target SABMiller says growth “accelerated in the second quarter” particularly in Latin America and Africa. Chief executive Alan Clark adds: “We have a strong business with exceptional long term prospects.”
Recruiter Robert Walters sees third quarter fees rise 11%.
Wood Group chief executive Bob Keiller is to be replaced by internal candidate Robin Watson at the end of year.
Baker Greggs' like-for-like sales are up 4.9% in third quarter and 5.6% year to date. It is tackling colder weather with Chicken curry soup and Peri Peri chicken flatbread.
Ted Baker half year profits jump 23% to £17.8m with particularly strong online sales.
