Browsing: Business

French business confidence has dropped for the third straight month, hitting its lowest level since July as fiscal uncertainty and political instability impact hiring and investment.

Germany’s economic contraction extended into December, marking six straight months of decline as weak manufacturing output offset modest stability in the services sector.

UK retailers face rising costs and insolvencies following budget changes, with calls for urgent support to counter weak sales and economic uncertainty.

Oil prices rose Wednesday after U.S. crude inventories fell, but gains were capped as the Federal Reserve hinted at slower rate cuts. A stronger dollar also tempered optimism.

FedEx announces plans to spin off FedEx Freight into a new public company within 18 months, creating North America’s largest LTL carrier and boosting operational efficiency.

AT&T will require all office employees to work on-site five days weekly starting January 2025, marking a shift from its hybrid model and aligning with other corporations reversing remote work policies.

Honda and Nissan are reportedly in early-stage talks to merge, aiming to compete with dominant EV makers like BYD in a rapidly evolving global market.

UK inflation rose to 2.6% in November, reflecting rising energy costs and wage pressures, according to the ONS. Core inflation also rose to 3.5%, underscoring persistent challenges.

Markets opened higher Monday as investors awaited the Federal Reserve’s meeting, with key rate decisions and 2025 projections expected, while Nasdaq reshuffle pressured Super Micro and boosted MicroStrategy.

The Federal Reserve is likely to cut rates again next week, marking the third reduction since September, potentially easing financial pressure on borrowers while savings account yields remain competitive.