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The United States is experiencing a technology investment boom that is pushing household wealth higher, yet millions of Americans are still struggling with the cost of everyday life. For businesses, the contrast presents a difficult question. If consumers are spending more money overall, why are so many feeling worse off? A Reuters report published on 12 October highlights the divide. The artificial intelligence investment boom has helped drive stock-market gains, lifting household wealth by around 16.5% between the end of Joe Biden’s presidency and the second quarter of 2026. However, the wealth gains have been heavily concentrated among the richest households. The wider…

UK small businesses are heading into the final quarter of 2026 with limited expectations of growth, as rising operating costs and uncertainty over the upcoming Budget continue to weigh on confidence. New research from Novuna Business Finance found that just 26% of small businesses expect to grow between October and December. Half anticipate no change in their trading outlook, while 23% fear their business will contract or struggle to survive the winter. The findings are particularly concerning because 2026 marks the first time in more than a decade that the proportion of small businesses forecasting growth has remained below 30% for an entire year, according to the compan…

Heathrow Airport’s proposed third runway could unlock £33 billion in private investment and more than 100,000 jobs across the UK. But despite growing support from businesses and industry groups, the project still faces a major obstacle. Investors want greater certainty before committing to the next stage. The expansion is back under the spotlight as Parliament reviews the proposed framework for a third runway. Heathrow chief executive Thomas Woldbye is due to present evidence to the Transport Select Committee on 14 October, adding pressure to a debate that has continued for years. Heathrow says its expansion plans have attracted support from airlines, trade unions, region…

More than 10,000 UK manufacturers can now apply for a government scheme designed to cut their electricity costs by up to 25%, in one of the biggest recent attempts to tackle the energy burden facing British industry. Applications for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme, or BICS, opened on 1 October and will remain open until 30 November 2026. Eligible businesses are expected to receive support from April 2027. The government estimates the scheme could save businesses hundreds of millions of pounds a year. For manufacturers that have been dealing with high energy costs, that is more than a headline number. It could affect investment decisions, hiring and whether …

US employers added far fewer jobs than expected in September, giving businesses, investors and the Federal Reserve another reason to take a more cautious view of the economy. The US economy added just 29,000 non-farm jobs last month, well below the roughly 90,000 economists had expected. The unemployment rate also edged up from 4.1% to 4.2%. Previous employment figures for July and August were revised lower as well. At first glance, that sounds like a worrying slowdown. But the picture is more complicated. Businesses are hiring slowly, not necessarily cutting jobsThere is still no clear sign of a widespread wave of layoffs. New unemployment claims remain close to their lo…

UK services businesses are facing a difficult trade-off. Demand is still growing, but rising fuel and energy costs are putting fresh pressure on their margins. The latest S&P Global Purchasing Managers' Index shows the UK services sector remained in growth during September, with a reading of 52.1. Anything above 50 indicates expansion. However, growth slowed from 52.5 in August, making September one of the weaker months for the sector since June. At the same time, businesses reported a sharp increase in their costs, driven partly by higher fuel prices linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. That pressure is now reaching customers. Businesses are starting to…

US businesses continued to invest heavily in equipment in August, with new orders for key capital goods rising much more than economists expected as the country's artificial intelligence infrastructure boom continues to support business spending. Orders for non-defence capital goods excluding aircraft, a closely watched measure of business investment, rose 1.6% in August after an upwardly revised 0.6% increase in July. Economists surveyed by Reuters had expected a 0.5% increase. The latest figures point to another quarter of strong investment in equipment across the US economy. Shipments of these capital goods, which feed into the business investment component of US GDP, …

Three chemical plants in Hull are being mothballed by INEOS, highlighting the growing pressure facing energy-intensive manufacturers in the UK as European energy costs remain well above those of major international competitors. INEOS announced on 22 September that it was suspending operations at its three chemical plants at Saltend in Hull. Two had already stopped production, with the third expected to come offline within days. The facilities support almost 4,000 jobs and produce chemicals used in pharmaceuticals, clothing, cosmetics, detergents, construction materials and other industries. The company said the decision was driven by high European gas prices, which have m…

UK businesses are facing another difficult stretch as persistently high energy prices put fresh pressure on inflation and raise questions over the future path of interest rates. Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey said on 25 September that it would become harder for the central bank to keep interest rates unchanged if energy prices remain elevated for an extended period. His comments marked another warning that the recent energy shock could feed into broader inflation pressures. The Bank of England currently has its Bank Rate at 3.75%, after holding it at its September meeting. The decision was not unanimous, with six members voting to keep rates unchanged and three vo…

Trade across the East African Community (EAC) jumped sharply in the second quarter of 2026, highlighting stronger export activity and growing commercial links across one of Africa's major regional markets. Total EAC trade reached $52.3 billion between April and June, up 37% from $38.2 billion during the same period a year earlier. Exports were the main driver, rising 41.3% to $26.3 billion, while imports increased 32.9% to $26 billion. The region recorded a $300 million trade surplus, compared with a $945.3 million deficit in the second quarter of 2025. The figures cover the EAC's eight member states, including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, the De…

Southeast Asia's economy is expected to grow 4.5% in 2026, according to ASEAN economic ministers, as the region continues to attract investment and maintain strong manufacturing and export activity despite a more uncertain global environment. The projection was highlighted following the 58th ASEAN Economic Ministers' Meeting in Manila on 19 September, where ministers assessed the region's economic position against geopolitical tensions, changing trade conditions and uncertainty in the global economy. ASEAN said its economy grew 4.9% in 2025 and is expected to remain well above projected global growth of 3% this year. Manufacturing, exports, investment and domestic demand …

US factory production unexpectedly fell in August, adding a fresh sign that American manufacturers are beginning to feel the pressure from higher energy costs, elevated interest rates and ongoing supply-chain uncertainty. Manufacturing output declined 0.3% in August, according to the Federal Reserve, following seven consecutive months of growth. Economists had expected production to increase by 0.3%. The decline was led by durable goods, with motor vehicles and parts production falling 1.2% and computer and peripheral equipment dropping 1.4%. The manufacturing sector accounts for around 9.4% of the US economy, making the latest figures an important indicator of conditions…

The UK's jobs market is showing further signs of cooling, with the number of vacancies falling to its lowest level since early 2021 as businesses continue to face higher employment costs and uncertain demand. New figures from the Office for National Statistics show there were an estimated 702,000 vacancies between June and August 2026, down 8,000 from the previous three-month period. It is the lowest vacancy level since February to April 2021. (ons.gov.uk) The slowdown is particularly visible among smaller businesses. Companies with between one and nine employees recorded a fall of 7,000 vacancies, leaving the group with 91,000 open positions. That is the lowest level for…

The UK economy is heading into the autumn with businesses facing an awkward combination of higher inflation, elevated energy costs and borrowing rates that remain well above recent lows. The Bank of England voted on 17 September to keep Bank Rate at 3.75%, with six members supporting the decision and three preferring a 0.25 percentage point increase. The decision came as UK CPI inflation reached 3.1% in August, above the Bank's 2% target. Energy prices are at the centre of the latest concern. The Bank said the continuing conflict in the Middle East has pushed crude and refined energy prices higher and made the inflation outlook more uncertain. It expects inflation to rise…

US businesses are heading into a crucial week for the economy, with markets increasingly expecting the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates as inflation proves more stubborn than expected. Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan now expect the Fed to increase its benchmark interest rate by 0.25 percentage points at its September meeting. Market pricing puts the probability of a rate rise at around 87%, a sharp change from expectations earlier this year that borrowing costs could fall. The shift follows stronger-than-expected US inflation figures for August. Higher oil prices are adding another problem, with crude rising above $100 a barrel as disruption in the Middle East puts pres…

Vietnam is becoming one of Southeast Asia’s most closely watched destinations for data-centre investment, but the country's ability to keep up with the industry's huge demand for electricity could determine how far that growth goes. A growing wave of investment is targeting Vietnam's digital infrastructure as demand for cloud computing, artificial intelligence and data storage accelerates. The country has the potential to become an important regional data-centre hub, but investors are increasingly looking beyond land and construction costs. Reliable power, international connectivity and regulatory stability are becoming just as important. The timing is significant. Data-c…

South Africa is making a fresh push for foreign investment as it looks to turn its mineral wealth, infrastructure and growing technology sector into a stronger industrial economy. President Cyril Ramaphosa used the recent BRICS summit in New Delhi to call for greater investment from Indian businesses in South Africa's critical minerals, energy, infrastructure and manufacturing sectors. The focus is not simply on attracting capital, but on getting more production and value creation to happen inside South Africa. More than 150 Indian companies have already invested over $10 billion in South Africa, creating more than 18,000 jobs, according to Ramaphosa. The latest discussio…

The UK economy grew faster than expected in July, offering a welcome boost for businesses and investors after months of concerns about weak growth, rising costs and uncertainty. GDP increased by 0.4% in July, according to the Office for National Statistics, significantly ahead of forecasts for no growth. The latest figures also put annual growth at 1.6%, giving the UK its strongest annual expansion in 18 months. The services sector was the biggest contributor, with computer programming and related activities benefiting from growing demand linked to artificial intelligence and cloud computing. The figures suggest that technology investment is beginning to have a more visib…

The UK government is putting business leaders at the heart of its latest push for economic growth, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham meeting entrepreneurs, regional leaders and executives from some of the country’s biggest companies today. The Downing Street meetings are intended to build a closer relationship between government and the private sector, with investment, innovation, infrastructure and job creation high on the agenda. Burnham has positioned his government as a potential “partner for growth”, arguing that Britain needs a change in how it supports people who start companies, invest and create jobs. The programme brings together businesses from sectors including…

Africa's biggest oil refinery is heading for the public markets. Nigeria's Securities and Exchange Commission has approved an initial public offering for Dangote Petroleum Refinery, with the company aiming to raise approximately $1.63 billion from investors. The IPO will offer 4.1 billion ordinary shares at 525 naira each, with the order book expected to open on 14 September. If fully subscribed, it would become Africa's largest-ever share sale. For Africa's business community, this is about much more than one company's listing. A Landmark Moment for African CapitalThe Dangote Refinery is already one of the most ambitious industrial projects in Africa. Built at a cost of …

Nvidia has agreed to acquire AI developer platform Hugging Face for $12.93 billion, in one of the chipmaker’s biggest acquisitions yet and a major signal that the AI race is moving beyond hardware. For Nvidia, the deal is about gaining a much deeper position in the software and developer ecosystem surrounding artificial intelligence. Hugging Face has become one of the most important platforms for developers working with open AI models, datasets and tools. The acquisition could therefore be much more significant than the price tag suggests. Nvidia Wants More Than the AI Chip MarketNvidia has built an extraordinary business supplying the computing power behind modern AI. Bu…

London-based Claret Capital Partners has raised €575 million for its latest growth debt fund, surpassing its original €500 million target and highlighting growing demand for alternative ways to finance ambitious businesses. The firm announced the final close of its fourth European growth debt fund on September 7, with €440 million committed directly to Fund IV and another €135 million through affiliated discretionary mandates. For founders, the significance goes beyond the size of the fund. It reflects a broader shift in how growing companies are thinking about capital. Founders Have More Than One Way to RaiseGrowth debt sits somewhere between traditional bank lending and…

Global investment firm KKR is taking a minority stake in Malaysian healthcare provider Avisena Healthcare, backing the company's next phase of expansion across one of Southeast Asia's fastest-growing healthcare markets. The financial terms were not disclosed, although Reuters previously reported that the deal could involve around 20% to 25% of Avisena in a transaction potentially worth 300 million to 400 million Malaysian ringgit. For business leaders, the deal is another sign that large institutional investors are looking beyond traditional technology sectors for growth opportunities in Southeast Asia. Healthcare Is Becoming a Bigger Investment StoryAvisena operates two …

The UK government is putting £150 million behind high-growth businesses in Northern England, in a move designed to attract more private investment and give ambitious companies outside London greater access to growth capital. The proposed Northern Scale-Up Fund will be backed by the British Business Bank and is expected to provide larger-scale investment to innovative businesses looking to accelerate expansion. For founders across the North, this could become an important new source of capital. For the wider UK startup ecosystem, it also reflects a bigger attempt to shift the country's growth story away from being so heavily concentrated around London. A Bigger Bet on Nort…

Nigeria’s smartphone boom is showing signs of going into reverse as rising device prices push consumers back towards basic mobile phones. Smartphone shipments in the country fell 11% in the second quarter of 2026, while demand for cheaper handsets increased. The reversal is particularly significant for Nigeria, Africa’s largest mobile market, where smartphones have become increasingly important for banking, commerce, work and access to digital services. The problem is not simply a lack of connectivity. It is affordability. Smartphones are becoming too expensive for millionsResearch from the GSMA suggests that 63% of Nigerians remain offline, with affordability representin…

The global robotics race is becoming increasingly divided as the United States tightens restrictions on foreign-made drones and advanced robots, while Chinese manufacturers continue to expand production and drive down costs. In July and August, Washington introduced new measures targeting foreign-made robotic systems and imposed steep tariffs on imported drones and their components, citing national security concerns. The drone tariffs are due to take effect in September, with additional component tariffs planned for 2027. For founders and investors, the developments highlight a much bigger question. Can the US build a competitive domestic robotics industry quickly enough …

The world's biggest carmakers may be preparing for a future where their most valuable machines are not cars. A growing group of Chinese automakers is investing heavily in humanoid robots, following a strategy that has already become central to Tesla's long-term ambitions. The shift reflects a broader belief that advances in artificial intelligence, manufacturing and robotics could turn physical AI into a major commercial industry. For founders and investors, the development signals a potentially significant change in where the automotive industry's next growth opportunities could emerge. Xpeng leads China's automotive robotics pushChinese electric vehicle maker XPeng is a…

The UK and Ukraine have signed a landmark agreement to collaborate on artificial intelligence and military technology, giving British researchers and technology companies access to some of the world's most extensive real-world battlefield data. The partnership was signed in Kyiv on 24 August by UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with the two countries agreeing to develop new AI capabilities for defence and security. The UK becomes the first international partner to gain access to Ukraine's Avengers AI Labs. For the UK's technology sector, the deal could create a significant new opportunity to develop AI systems using data generated…

More than 53,000 British businesses are now classed as being in critical financial distress, highlighting the growing pressure facing companies as operating costs, taxes and borrowing remain elevated. New research from Begbies Traynor Group shows that 53,756 UK businesses were in critical financial distress during the second quarter of 2026, a 9% increase compared with the same period last year. The findings come from BTG's latest Red Flag Alert report, which tracks financial warning signs across 22 sectors. For founders and investors, the figures offer another warning that financial pressure is spreading beyond individual struggling companies and becoming a wider busines…

The US banking landscape is undergoing an unusual transformation as fintech and cryptocurrency companies increasingly seek bank charters, and World Liberty Financial is now among the most closely watched names entering the market. The Trump family-backed crypto venture has received conditional approval for a national trust bank charter from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, giving its subsidiary, World Liberty Trust Company, a regulated path to expand its stablecoin business. The move comes as a growing number of technology and digital asset companies pursue US banking licences, highlighting how the boundaries between traditional financial services, fintech a…