Business

This week, several key trends are capturing investors’ attention, including eurozone economic activity, central bank rate decisions, and major companies’ quarterly earnings. ADVERTISEMENT The spotlight this week will be on the flash manufacturing Purchasing Manager Index (PMI) for the Eurozone, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US). Additionally, the Bank of Canada’s interest rate decision will offer further …

The UN’s Christophe Yvetot discusses the importance of solidarity in achieving the SDGs. ADVERTISEMENT The United Nations has 17 Sustainable Development Goals that contain ambitious objectives for member countries to meet by 2030. As of 2023, only 15% of these objectives were on track for success. One such goal is Goal Nine focusing on “sustainable industrialisation”. This idea seems oxymoronic …

Ageing populations require a shake up of our pension systems, but fair and effective changes require an understanding of older workers. ADVERTISEMENT Across Europe, raising pension ages is a necessary – yet incendiary – conversation. As life expectancies increase, so does the ratio of pensioners to workers, ultimately resulting in mounting pressure on state budgets.  In countries where retirement reforms …

Economists expect the ECB to continue rate cuts, aiming for 2% by mid-2025. Lagarde’s focus on downside inflation risks and weak growth signals further easing. ADVERTISEMENT Economists and market analysts are in broad agreement that the European Central Bank (ECB) will continue cutting interest rates at each meeting for the foreseeable future, following Thursday’s decision to reduce rates by 25 …

The Swedish manufacturer saw a drop in vehicle sales and is predicting little growth for 2025. ADVERTISEMENT Volvo’s net sales decreased by 12% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2024, amounting to SEK 117bn (€10.27bn). Adjusted operating income for the same period came in at SEK 14.1bn, down from SEK 19.3bn a year earlier. Sales of vehicles were 11% lower …

The proposal from PAI Partners, challenging a US bidder, is the latest twist in a battle to win a 50% stake in Opella, the maker of France’s best-selling drug. ADVERTISEMENT A consortium including French private equity firm PAI Partners has raised its offer for Sanofi’s consumer health business, Opella, according to sources. The group has revised its bid by €200m, …

The 25 basis point cut, expected by analysts, arrives against a backdrop of settling inflation and anaemic growth. ADVERTISEMENT The European Central Bank (ECB) reduced its interest rates on Thursday afternoon during its October meeting, marking the third consecutive cut since June. New interest rates have been set at 3.40% for main refinancing operations, 3.65% for the marginal lending facility, …

The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Michael Mainelli, who acts as an ambassador for the city’s financial district, says the Square Mile has lost thousands of jobs because of Brexit. ADVERTISEMENT The Lord Mayor of London’s economically influential financial district has called the UK’s decision to leave the European Union a ‘disaster’ that has led to the loss …

The euro began its downtrend against the US dollar at the end of September after reaching a 15-month high. Despite a potential near-term rebound, analysts suggest the euro’s weakness may persist. ADVERTISEMENT The euro continued to weaken against the US dollar ahead of the crucial European Central Bank (ECB) interest rate decision, set to be announced later today. The EUR/USD …

New research finds that average rents in one capital have reached a record quarterly high while other cities are now among the priciest in Europe. ADVERTISEMENT Average rents in London reached a record quarterly high of £2,694 (€3,220) a month, a 2.5% increase on last year’s figure, a new report has found. The data, from UK property portal Rightmove, is …