Unilever, owner of brands like Marmite and Dove, announced plans for further price increases in the coming months to offset rising commodity costs, despite reporting strong Q2 sales growth of 5.8% and raising its 2026 outlook. The company's shares climbed over 8% as markets reacted positively to its performance.
Samsung's CFO warns of deepening RAM chip shortages until 2028, driven by AI demand for high-bandwidth memory. This has halved business for some vendors, quadrupled prices, and impacts PC and automotive sectors globally, with Chinese competition also emerging.
US-listed spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded their sixth consecutive day of net inflows on Tuesday, adding $203.1 million and totaling $930 million over the streak. This occurred as Bitcoin traded above $65,000, improving broader crypto market sentiment from 'extreme fear' to 'fear'.
Swiss chocolate maker Lindt has partially reversed its 11.8% price increase after first-half revenue shrank, particularly in the UK, Germany, and Switzerland. The company cited weaker Easter demand, geopolitical uncertainties affecting tourism, and price-sensitive markets as reasons for the decline, adjusting prices and boosting marketing in response.
UK households saw a 0.8% drop in real disposable income in Q1 due to rising inflation and capital gains tax, marking the fourth decline in five quarters. The ONS reported 0.6% GDP growth, while political figures like Andy Burnham pledge to tackle living costs, and economists forecast a cautious economic outlook.
UK inflation remained at 2.8% in the year to May, defying expert expectations of a rise to 3%. Food price inflation slowed to a 17-month low of 2.2%, while transport costs saw the fastest annual rise since December 2022.
UK inflation held steady at 2.8% in May, defying expectations of a rise. This suggests the Middle East conflict's impact on living costs may be less severe than feared, despite high fuel prices. Economists are downgrading inflation forecasts and questioning future interest rate hikes.
UK inflation remained unexpectedly at 2.8% in May, with higher transport and fuel costs offset by slower food price rises. Economists had forecast a rise to 3%. The ONS reported the flatlining figure, which follows a decline in April, as various price movements balanced out.
UK inflation remained at 2.8% in the year to May, defying expert expectations of a rise. Food price inflation slowed to a 17-month low, but transport costs saw the fastest annual rise since December 2022. Analysts suggest a US-Iran peace deal may temper future increases.
UK inflation remained unexpectedly at 2.8% in May, with higher transport and fuel costs offset by slower food price rises, according to the ONS. Economists had forecast a rise to 3%, but the flatlining figure defied expectations.
UK inflation remained unexpectedly at 2.8% in May, defying economists' forecasts of a rise to 3%. Higher transport and fuel costs were offset by slower food price rises, according to the ONS.
UK inflation remained unexpectedly at 2.8% in May, with higher transport and fuel costs offset by slower food price rises. The ONS figure defied economists' forecasts of a rise to 3% and comes as the Bank of England prepares to set interest rates.
SpaceX's market debut successfully raised $75 billion by selling 555.6 million shares. A greenshoe option mechanism could allow Morgan Stanley to purchase an additional 83 million shares, potentially increasing the total raised by $11.2 billion, depending on stock performance.
Japan's food sector is experiencing severe shortages of plastic bags, trays, and gloves due to dwindling naphtha supplies from the Middle East. This has led to price hikes, customer incentives for reusable items, and government pressure.
Australia's property market is experiencing a shift following tax reforms that limit negative gearing for new investors. Auction clearance rates have dropped, prices are falling in some cities, and analysts predict declines of up to 10%. While rising interest rates and economic outlook also contribute, the reforms aim to curb speculation and improve affordability for first-time buyers.
Australia's property market is experiencing a slowdown following tax reforms that limit negative gearing for new investors. Auction clearance rates have dropped, and some analysts predict price declines, though underlying housing shortages and demand-side measures may limit the fall.
Global food production faces significant disruption from the Iran war and El Niño, threatening UK food security. Experts warn the UK's reliance on global markets and its vulnerable domestic system require an overhaul to ensure resilience against climate change and geopolitical shocks.
The cost of UK government borrowing has hit a high not seen in decades as Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces mounting threats to his leadership and the oil price rises.
The cost of UK government borrowing has hit a high not seen in decades as Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces mounting threats to his leadership and the oil price rises.
The cost of UK government borrowing has hit a high not seen in decades as Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces mounting threats to his leadership and the oil price rises.
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsNewsflash: Global food prices have risen for the third month running, as the Iran war drives up the price of energy and fertiliser.The United Nations’ FAO Food Price Index (FFPI) shows that prices of a basket of food commodities rose by 1.6% in April, adding to price rises in February and March.The price increase was further supported by expectations of reduced wheat plantings in 2026, as farmers shift to less fertilizer‑intensive crops amid high fertilizer prices, driven by elevated energy costs and disruptions linked to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.International palm oil prices rose for the fifth consecutive month in April, largely underpinned by prospective higher demand from the biofuel sector, supported by policy incentives in several producing countries and higher crude oil prices. Additional upward pressure stemmed from concerns over lower production in Southeast Asia in the coming months.The drop in April was mainly driven by expectations of ample global supplies in the current season, reinforced by improved production prospects in key Asian producing countries, notably China and Thailand. The onset of the new harvest in Brazil’s key southern growing regions under favourable weather conditions further contributed to the overall decline in international sugar prices. Continue reading...
Approval for exploration in 70 new areas prompts fierce backlash from fossil fuel opponents The Norwegian government has been heavily criticised for approving plans to reopen three North Sea gasfields nearly three decades after they were closed to help fill the gap in energy supplies created by the Middle East war.Amid sharp price rises in oil and gas since the US and Israel’s attack on Iran in February, Oslo has also given its approval for oil and gas companies to explore in 70 new locations in the North Sea, Barents Sea and Norwegian Sea. Continue reading...
BEV sales jumped nearly 60% in April, taking total electric car registrations to more than 2m, says SMMTBusiness live – latest updatesA recent jump in electric car sales in the UK is likely to be “tempered” by worries over rising inflation and energy prices caused by the Iran war, a leading industry body has warned.New car sales in the UK rose by 24% year on year to 149,247 in April, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Continue reading...
Yara CEO warns of global auction that would leave poorest countries scrambling for supplies they can ill affordThe Iran war could have “dramatic consequences”, causing food shortages and price rises in some of Africa’s poorest and most vulnerable communities, the head of the world’s largest fertiliser company has said.Svein Tore Holsether, the chief executive of Yara International, said world leaders needed to guard against soaring prices and shortages of fertiliser causing a de facto global auction that would leave the poorest countries, particularly in Africa, scrambling for supplies they could ill afford. Continue reading...
