Good times for China

Get straight to the good stuff every day with the Multiply Minute; a lightning-quick round-up of the money news and how it affects you.

China news buoys markets

China has reported better than expected trading figures for March as its factories come back online and shipments pick up. The news has given a boost to stock markets across Asia and Europe, including the FTSE 100, although share prices remain volatile.

Scrap the triple lock?

The government should scrap the state pension “triple lock” policy which has seen pension payments rise faster than wages. The proposal from the Social Market Foundation (SMF) think tank would help pay down the anticipated government deficit from dealing with coronavirus. It argues the costs of managing the epidemic should be shared equally across generations.

Softbank falters

The world’s biggest investor in technology has reported its first loss in 15 years. Softbank has said it expects to lose $16.7bn (£13.3bn) on startups it has invested in. Many of its startups, such as Uber and WeWork, are struggling under lockdown measures which have called a halt to normal life.

50 million wasted pints

When the lockdown lifts (whenever that may be) many of us are planning to head straight to the pub. But it's not just the punters who'll be wasted. 50 million pints of beer could have turned bad by then, according to the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). It’s calling for more help for pubs, like rent freezes and alcohol duty relief so that - once it’s safe - everyone’s local can open its doors again.