India Budget

Business

Zegna Charts Steady Course Amid Leadership Shift and China Volatility, Fueled by DTC Momentum

The Ermenegildo Zegna Group reported a resilient 2025, with full-year revenues reaching €1.92 billion. A strong fourth-quarter acceleration, driven by a 10% surge in direct-to-consumer sales, underscores the luxury group's strategic pivot away from wholesale. While the Americas and EMEA regions showed robust growth, Greater China remains a volatile market as the company navigates a planned leadership transition and industry headwinds.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Tariffs and the American Wallet: A Household Cost Analysis Four Years On

An examination of price data reveals that tariffs imposed during the previous administration continue to contribute to higher costs for everyday goods, from groceries to home utilities, adding financial pressure on U.S. households.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

The 50-Year Mortgage: A Lifeline for Homebuyers or a Lifetime of Debt? New Data Reveals Limited Impact

A new analysis examines whether ultra-long home loans can solve the affordability crisis. While they offer a monthly payment reprieve in select markets, the long-term financial toll is staggering, raising questions about who truly benefits.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Landlords' Guide: Navigating the Buy-to-Let Mortgage Market in February 2026

As interest rates show signs of stabilization, we analyze the current landscape for buy-to-let mortgages, examining the best deals, key considerations for investors, and expert insights on navigating a market still shaped by recent volatility.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Boeing Backs U.S. Critical Minerals Stockpile in Bid to Secure Aerospace Supply Chains

Aerospace giant Boeing is joining a major U.S. public-private initiative to build a national stockpile of critical minerals, a strategic move aimed at reducing dependence on foreign sources and bolstering domestic manufacturing resilience for defense and commercial programs.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Schwab's New Core Bond ETF Delivers Steady 4.32% Monthly Yield, Appealing to Income-Focused Investors

The actively managed Schwab Core Bond ETF (SCCR), launched in early 2025, is gaining attention for its monthly distributions and a current yield of 4.32%. The fund focuses on high-quality U.S. dollar-denominated debt, offering retirees and other investors a potential source of predictable income in a shifting rate environment.

Feb 2, 2026

Facing Social Security Overpayment? How to Request a Lower Garnishment Rate and Protect Your Monthly Income

For recipients hit with a sudden overpayment notice, a formal request to reduce the withholding rate can provide crucial financial breathing room.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Beyond ROI: TikTok Study Reveals How Premium Ad Formats Drive Real Sales Impact

A new analysis commissioned by TikTok challenges conventional ad measurement, arguing that high ROI doesn't always equal sales growth, and that premium, engaging formats often deliver superior business outcomes despite higher costs.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Venezuela's Oil Exports Surge in January as U.S. Eases Sanctions, Data Reveals

Venezuelan oil exports jumped to nearly 800,000 barrels per day in January, rebounding from a low of 498,000 bpd in December, following a U.S. policy shift that allowed key traders to resume shipments, according to tanker tracking data.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Swatch Group Eyes 2026 Rebound After Challenging Year, Points to Strong Second-Half Momentum

The Swiss watchmaker reported a dip in 2025 profits amid currency headwinds and strategic investments, but forecasts a return to broad-based growth next year, buoyed by robust second-half sales and strong performance in key markets like the Americas.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Craft Beer's Golden Age Cools: U.S. Brewery Closures Outpace Openings for Second Straight Year

After two decades of explosive growth, the U.S. craft beer industry has hit an inflection point. New data reveals more breweries closed than opened in 2025, signaling a market correction driven by saturation, shifting consumer habits, and economic pressures.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

New Senior Tax Break Sparks Alarm Over Accelerating Social Security Shortfall

A significant tax deduction increase for seniors, set for 2026 under the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act,' is projected to hasten the depletion of Social Security trust funds by roughly six months, raising urgent questions about the program's long-term solvency.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Senate Scrutiny Intensifies as Netflix-Warner Bros. Merger Faces Antitrust Reckoning

A landmark Senate hearing this week will examine the potential cultural and economic fallout of Netflix's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, amid fears it could create an unprecedented 'stream-opoly'.

Feb 2, 2026

The No-Income-Tax Illusion: Why Your Overall Tax Burden May Not Shrink

Moving to a state with no income tax might seem like a clear financial win, but the reality is more complex. Higher sales, property, and overall living costs in these states often offset the initial paycheck boost, creating a nuanced picture of who truly benefits.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Government Shutdown Forces Delay of Key January Jobs Report

The Bureau of Labor Statistics announced Monday that the highly anticipated January employment data will not be released as scheduled this Friday, citing disruptions from a partial federal government shutdown. The report will be published only after funding is restored.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Scotch Whisky Tourism Faces Headwinds as Rural Distilleries Scale Back Visitor Operations

Scotland's celebrated whisky tourism sector is showing signs of strain, with major players closing visitor centres and cutting hours amid staffing challenges and shifting demand, even as new investments open their doors.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

The Incentive Gap: Why Most Companies' Sales Compensation Plans Are Failing to Deliver Growth

New research reveals a stark disconnect: while a majority of firms are ramping up investment in incentive pay to fuel growth, widespread execution errors are rendering these costly programs ineffective, leaving potential revenue on the table.

Feb 2, 2026

Analysis: Trump Tariffs Add to Consumer Costs, Slowing Inflation's Decline

A new economic report finds that while inflation has cooled, recent tariff policies have kept prices higher than they otherwise would be, as the Supreme Court weighs the legality of the measures.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

From Gaming to Global Dominance: The Unlikely Rise of Nvidia

Nvidia's journey from a niche graphics card maker to the world's most valuable company is a masterclass in technological foresight and market adaptation. This is how a bet on parallel processing powered the AI revolution.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Chicago's Downtown Core Faces Unprecedented Office Vacancy Crisis, Raising Economic Alarm

Chicago's downtown office vacancy rate soared to a historic 28.2% at the close of 2025, more than double pre-pandemic levels, as remote work trends and business climate concerns drive a 14th consecutive quarter of record vacancies. Analysts warn of a deepening economic spiral with implications for city services and residents.

Feb 2, 2026