Official figures reveal a sharp 26% increase in the annual cost of public sector pensions, now reaching £39bn, with taxpayers covering the bulk of the expense as employer contribution rates rise.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Shanghai Friday with over 50 business leaders, aiming to deepen UK-China commercial ties. The visit, the first by a UK premier in eight years, comes against a backdrop of renewed US skepticism over Western engagement with Beijing.
Bitcoin tumbled toward $81,000 as markets reacted to the potential nomination of former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh, whose history of monetary hawkishness is viewed as a headwind for risk assets like cryptocurrency.
Bitcoin's volatility gauge spiked sharply during Thursday's sell-off, signaling heightened trader anxiety and a rush for downside protection, though metrics suggest the market is not yet in extreme fear territory.
After a brutal 2025, fast-casual restaurant stocks are rallying sharply in early 2026. Analysts debate whether this marks a genuine recovery or a temporary bounce, as consumers pivot towards grocery and convenience store meals, forcing a reckoning on value and quality.
Once crypto miners, IREN and Applied Digital have pivoted to AI infrastructure, delivering staggering returns. But as valuations soar, investors face a critical choice between predictable cash flow and high-growth optionality.
President Trump is expected to nominate former Fed governor Kevin Warsh as Jerome Powell's successor, a move markets interpret as a tilt toward more hawkish monetary policy and an end to months of uncertainty over the central bank's leadership.
Amidst market volatility, Coca-Cola (KO) stands out with its formidable brand moat and a 63-year dividend growth streak, offering investors a blend of stability and reliable income.
Corebridge Financial (CRBG) has launched a novel index annuity linked to the Invesco New Economy Index, offering exposure to tech themes and Bitcoin. The move comes as analysts debate whether the company's current share price fully reflects its growth potential amid mixed recent performance.
The utility giant Southern Company has declared its latest quarterly dividend, preserving one of corporate America's most remarkable records of shareholder returns. As markets fluctuate, the company's steady income stream and undervalued stock price are drawing renewed attention from long-term investors.
Shares of the building products manufacturer have retreated from recent highs, presenting investors with a valuation puzzle. While a key cash flow model suggests the stock is undervalued, its premium P/E ratio tells a more cautious story. We break down the conflicting signals.
Unity Software's new in-app web store integration with Coda could empower developers to bypass traditional marketplace fees, potentially altering the company's revenue streams and addressing its persistent valuation gap amid volatile stock performance.
Krones AG (ETR:KRN) has seen its stock price climb 11% in the past quarter. Analysis points to robust fundamentals, particularly a healthy Return on Equity (ROE) of 14%, as a key driver behind the market's bullish sentiment and the company's impressive earnings growth trajectory.
United Rentals reported strong Q4 results, driven by data center and power sector demand, and issued 2026 guidance forecasting continued revenue growth. Management highlighted a robust project pipeline while navigating margin pressures.
Thermo Fisher Scientific reported a strong finish to 2025, with Q4 results exceeding expectations. While navigating currency volatility and tariffs, the life sciences giant highlighted growth in core biopharma sectors, strategic acquisitions like Clario, and a solid 2026 outlook.
The medical technology giant reported double-digit organic sales growth and robust profitability for 2025, driven by record installations of its Mako surgical robots. While projecting continued strength for 2026, management acknowledged incremental tariff pressures but expressed confidence in the company's ability to sustain margin expansion.
Brokerage firm CLSA initiates coverage on Atour Lifestyle Holdings with an 'Outperform' rating and a $49 price target, highlighting its unique brand ecosystem and asset-light model as key differentiators in a competitive market.
Despite a mixed analyst outlook, Morgan Stanley projects robust growth for Full Truck Alliance's core commission business, even as overall revenue faces headwinds. The digital freight platform's long-term strategy is gaining favor.
While Morgan Stanley maintains an Overweight rating on PDD Holdings, the firm has removed the e-commerce giant from its Top Picks list, citing heightened regulatory scrutiny and a slower-than-expected consumer recovery in China.
A quirk in the UK tax system means those earning between £100,000 and £125,140 face an effective 60% marginal tax rate, while also losing crucial childcare benefits. We examine the growing trap and the financial planning strategies to navigate it.
