BMW AG anticipates a substantial decline in pre-tax profit due to weakening demand in China and the impact of the Middle East crisis. The company has lowered its profitability targets and plans to accelerate cost-cutting measures.
Despite historic lows in US consumer confidence, niche candy stores are expanding, particularly in and around New York City. Owners cite candy's low price point and its role as an affordable luxury, akin to the 'lipstick effect,' as key drivers of growth.
Despite low US consumer confidence, candy stores in and around New York City are expanding, offering affordable treats. Businesses like Economy Candy and The Village Confectionery cite the 'lipstick effect' and low price points as drivers for growth, though import tariffs and rising transport costs present challenges.
The ongoing war may continue to affect consumer and business sentiment in the Asia-Pacific region due to higher energy prices and supply chain disruptions, despite CFOs remaining cautiously optimistic about business prospects.
美国5月消费者信心指数降至44.8，创1952年有记录以来新低。报告指出，霍尔木兹海峡供应中断推高油价，生活成本上升是主因，消费者对未来通胀预期升温。
US consumer confidence plunged to an all-time low of 44.8 in May, driven by soaring gas prices and inflation fears. The University of Michigan survey shows 57% of consumers citing high prices as a major concern.
Japan's consumer confidence index fell for the second consecutive month in April, dropping 1.1 points to 32.2, as concerns over rising oil prices due to Middle East conflicts weighed on sentiment. The 'durables purchasing conditions' and 'household economy' indices declined.
EasyJet reports lower summer holiday bookings than last year, citing consumer confidence hit by the Middle East conflict and a trend of passengers booking later. The airline also faced unexpected fuel costs but assures no supply disruptions or flight cancellations.
UK households' top financial worry is rising prices, with a consumer confidence survey showing a drop in sentiment to its lowest since July 2023. Fears of interest rate hikes and declining savings are contributing to gloom.
Despite the ongoing war with Iran, high oil prices, and an affordability crisis for everyday Americans, the US stock market, particularly the Nasdaq, continues to thrive driven by heavy investments in AI, with tech giants leading the surge, though economists warn of a potential AI bubble.
PwC survey reports fast fall in consumer confidence with people worried about Iran war’s impact on economy and personal financesBritish households are bracing for a new cost of living crisis, as the impact of the Middle East conflict dampens confidence in the economy and personal finances, a survey has suggested.Consumer confidence in the UK has dipped over the last three months at the fastest rate since June 2022, when inflation in the UK was soaring as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the spike in commodity prices. Continue reading...
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsUK bond prices have now rallied, after Keir Starmer pledged not to resign and analysts suggested Labour was not doing as badly as feared in the council elections.The yield (or interest rate) on benchmark 10-year bonds has dropped by 2.6 basis points (0.026 of a percentage point) to 4.894% this morning.No, I’m not going to walk away and plunge the country into chaos. We were elected to deal with these challenges and that’s what we will do. Continue reading...
Appliance giant slashes earnings forecast and hikes prices by 10% with another 4% spike plannedWith the war in Iran and economic concerns putting pressure on consumers and how they spend their money, Whirlpool is having to adjust to Americans delaying big-ticket purchases while also raising prices to help stabilize its North American business.The company known for brands such as KitchenAid, Maytag and its namesake, said that the Iran war led to a “recession-level industry decline” in America as consumer confidence collapsed in late February and March. Revenue dropped nearly 10% in the quarter as sales of major appliances in North America declined more than 7%. Continue reading...
"War in Iran resulted in recession-level industry decline in the U.S. as consumer confidence collapsed in late February and March," the company said.
"War in Iran resulted in recession-level industry decline in the U.S. as consumer confidence collapsed in late February and March," the company said.
Diageo shares rose 2% after Trump announced removal of 10% tariffs on Scotch whisky in honor of King Charles. UK house prices unexpectedly increased 0.4% in April with annual growth reaching 3.0%, while NatWest reported Q1 profits of £1.4bn despite setting aside £140m for potential economic worsening.
Three million UK households are skipping meals due to rising costs, according to Which?. Consumer confidence has fallen to -62, the lowest since the 2022 cost of living crisis peak. Eighty-five percent are worried about food prices and 80% about fuel prices, with 71% believing the UK economy will deteriorate in the next 12 months. The average missed bill payment rate has risen to 7.5%.
The number of UK businesses in critical financial distress rose by 36.9% in Q1 2026 compared to Q1 2025, reaching 62,193 companies, according to insolvency practitioners Begbies Traynor. All 22 monitored sectors saw increases, with hospitality, leisure and sports businesses worst affected. The restructuring firm blamed tax rises imposed by Chancellor Rachel Reeves and economic fallout from the Middle East conflict, warning that zombie businesses are increasingly likely to fail.
The number of UK businesses in critical financial distress rose by 36.9% in Q1 2026 compared to Q1 2025, reaching 62,193 companies, according to insolvency firm Begbies Traynor. Hospitality, leisure, and sports sectors were worst hit, with hotel firms seeing a 69.3% increase in critical distress. The firm blamed tax rises imposed by Chancellor Rachel Reeves and economic fallout from the Middle East conflict, warning that zombie businesses could fail this year.
BP nearly doubled its profits to $3.2bn in Q1 2026, driven by surging oil and gas prices following the Iran war that began at the end of February. The oil major beat analyst expectations, with CEO Meg O'Neill acknowledging the "environment of conflict and complexity." Campaign group Global Witness criticized the profits, noting this is the second time in four years that geopolitical conflict has boosted oil company earnings, following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
UK shop price inflation slowed to 1% year-on-year in April, down from 1.2% in March, as retailers applied heavy discounting to clothing, furniture and DIY goods amid weakening consumer confidence. Non-food items turned negative at -0.1%, while food inflation fell to 3.1%. The BRC warned that Middle East conflict impacts are yet to fully feed through to prices. Consumer confidence hit its lowest since October 2023, with retail sales volumes at their weakest since 1983.
UK consumer confidence fell to its lowest level since October 2023 in April, with multiple surveys blaming the US-Israeli war on Iran for surging cost pressures. The GfK consumer confidence index dropped four points to -25, while the S&P Global PMI recorded the biggest jump in business costs since 1996. Over a quarter of firms expect to raise prices next month - the highest since January 2023 - with energy costs cited by more than a third as a key driver. Economists warn UK inflation is on track to rise sharply, potentially forcing the Bank of England to raise interest rates.
UK consumer confidence has fallen for the third consecutive month to -25 in April, the lowest level since autumn 2023, as the Iran war disrupts supplies and drives up energy prices. The GfK Consumer Confidence Barometer dropped four points—the biggest monthly fall in a year—with perceptions of the UK economy over the last 12 months falling eight points to -51. Some 85% of consumers now expect price increases in the year ahead, the highest since November 2022, while the savings index is the only measure to rise as households build contingency funds.
India's economy shows resilience amid Middle East crisis, with household spending largely unaffected by rising energy prices, though consumer confidence is slightly dipping. While manufacturing faces some impact, the services sector remains robust, and overall growth for Q4 FY26 is projected to remain strong, with limited downside risks.
