Business

China reported disappointing retail sales data for November, underscoring ongoing challenges with sluggish consumer demands. The data will likely weigh on the European stock markets, particularly in consumer, energy, and mining sectors. ADVERTISEMENT After ending last week on a negative note, European stock markets are expected to remain under pressure following disappointing Chinese retail sales figures released on Monday. Retail …

Seasonal job postings and searches on Indeed in the UK show a clear trend, peaking in November. In 2024, searches hit a record high, while postings remained low. ADVERTISEMENT Christmas markets are buzzing across Europe, drawing in crowds with their cozy lights, mulled wine, and festive treats. But behind the scenes, these winter wonderlands need plenty of helping hands to …

“If our competitiveness hinges on having the cheapest energy prices in the world, we have a problem,” E.ON’s CEO tells The Big Question. ADVERTISEMENT Imagine your local roads and how they can just about handle the amount of cars using them daily.  Now add 20 million more cars. Traffic jams, break downs and delays – problematic, right? That’s basically what …

Market movements this week will hinge on eurozone business activity data and key interest rate decisions by major central banks, including the Fed, Bank of England, and Bank of Japan. ADVERTISEMENT The financial markets face a busy final week before Christmas. Three major central banks, including the Federal Reserve (Fed),  the Bank of England, and the Band of Japan are …

The ECB cut rates by 25 basis points to 3%, dropping its commitment to keep policy “sufficiently restrictive” and signalling confidence in achieving its 2% inflation target. Economists expect gradual cuts to continue, with risks from trade tensions and geopolitical uncertainties looming. ADVERTISEMENT The European Central Bank (ECB) delivered its fourth rate cut of the year on Thursday, lowering the …

Major tech companies are seeking to improve their relationship with the incoming president. ADVERTISEMENT Amazon is planning to donate $1 million (€950,000) to President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration fund, a company spokesperson confirmed on Thursday evening. The e-commerce giant will also stream Trump’s inauguration on its Prime Video service, which is viewed as a separate in-kind donation – worth another $1 …

“It’s an absolutely sh*t situation,” said Norway’s energy minister Terje Aasland cited by FT, reacting to electricity prices in the country that are six times that of the EU average these days. ADVERTISEMENT The two ruling parties in Norway are pledging to campaign to cut the two power interconnectors that link the country with Denmark, when they come up for …

The fortune of the eurozone’s largest economy is gloomy, especially with President-elect Donald Trump returning to the White House. ADVERTISEMENT Germany’s economy will contract this year and will hardly grow in 2025, according to new forecasts from Germany’s central bank – the Bundesbank. National output is expected to shrink by 0.2% this year, down from the Budensbank’s prediction of 0.3% …

China signals it’s prepared to double down on support for the economy as Trump tariffs loom. ADVERTISEMENT Chinese leaders met this week to plot economic policy for the coming year, sketching out plans to raise government spending and relax Beijing’s monetary policy to encourage more investment and consumer spending. Leaders of the ruling Communist Party wrapped up their two-day Central …

SpaceX is launching a new mission: making its Starbase site a new Texas city. ADVERTISEMENT Billionaire Elon Musk ‘s company on Thursday sent a letter to local officials requesting an election to turn what it calls Starbase – the South Texas site where SpaceX builds and launches its massive Starship rockets – into an incorporated city. Residents of the area …