Millions of American households are struggling with soaring energy prices, leading to widespread utility debt and shut-offs. A recent report indicates that nearly 5% of households are at risk of collections for overdue utility bills, with severely overdue debt increasing by 3.8% in the first half of Trump's second term, highlighting the growing financial strain on consumers.
Businesses are urging Chancellor Rachel Reeves to extend any planned business rates relief for pubs to include other struggling sectors like retail and music venues. These businesses face sharply increasing rates over the next three years as Covid-era support ends, despite additional support measures announced in the November budget. Lobby groups and MPs argue that many businesses beyond pubs will struggle to afford these higher costs.
Based on reports from Tesco and Marks & Spencer, both retailers experienced strong Christmas food sales, with Tesco's UK sales increasing by 3.2% and M&S's food sales rising by 5.5%; however, M&S saw a 2.9% decline in its clothing, home, and beauty segment due to lower foot traffic and lingering issues.
Netflix, once a DVD-by-mail startup, has agreed to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery for $82.7 billion, marking a significant shift in the entertainment landscape. This deal, occurring 15 years after Warner Bros. dismissed Netflix as a threat, positions Netflix, with its estimated $18 billion content spend for 2025, as a dominant force challenging traditional Hollywood power structures.
According to Moody's Analytics, President Trump's tariffs are stifling job growth, with the labor market adding only 584,000 jobs in 2025, a sharp decline from 2 million in 2024. Economist Mark Zandi suggests a Supreme Court ruling against the tariffs could revitalize the market, as trade-exposed industries like manufacturing, which has lost 70,000 jobs since April, have suffered significant losses.
Facing rising business rates, High Street shops, pharmacies, and music venues are urging the Chancellor to extend potential relief measures being considered for pubs. These businesses, along with pubs, face sharply increasing rates over the next three years as COVID-era support ends and property values adjust, potentially impacting their financial stability. While the government considers changes following hospitality sector pressure, other businesses are advocating for broader support to mitigate the impact of these higher costs.
Oil executives, including Exxon Mobil's CEO Darren Woods, expressed skepticism about investing in Venezuela's energy sector despite President Trump's plan to revive it with a potential $100 billion investment, citing past asset seizures and current instability rendering it "uninvestable." The industry's hesitation highlights the significant risks and challenges involved in Trump's ambitious plan to control Venezuela's oil reserves and influence global oil prices.
The FTSE 100 surpassed 10,000 points for the first time since 1984, marking a significant milestone after a 20% increase in 2025. While this surge encourages investment, particularly from first-time investors, concerns remain about potential overvaluation amidst ongoing cost-of-living pressures, highlighting the inherent risks of market volatility compared to more stable cash savings. The index tracks the performance of the 100 largest companies listed on the London Stock Exchange.
Netflix, once a small DVD-by-mail startup, has agreed to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery for $82.7 billion, marking a significant shift in the entertainment industry landscape. This deal, occurring 15 years after Netflix was dismissed as a threat, positions the streaming giant, with its estimated $18 billion content spend for 2025, as a major player challenging traditional Hollywood power structures. The acquisition follows Blockbuster's bankruptcy after failing to acquire Netflix for $50 million in 2000.
Saks Global, parent company to Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, is reportedly preparing to file for bankruptcy amidst worsening financial struggles since its $2.7 billion acquisition of Neiman Marcus in 2024. Inventory shortages and customer dissatisfaction are impacting the retailer, raising concerns among shoppers, vendors, and investors about the future of the luxury department store chain.
Facing rising business rates that threaten profitability as COVID-era support ends, retail shops, pharmacies, and music venues are urging the Chancellor to extend potential relief measures beyond pubs. While the government considers a backtrack on rate increases for pubs following industry pressure, other businesses argue they also require support to manage escalating costs over the next three years due to property value adjustments. This situation highlights the broader economic challenges faced by various sectors navigating post-pandemic recovery and increased financial burdens.
The UK government is expected to announce a reduction in business rate increases for pubs following industry pressure, addressing financial difficulties stemming from rising rateable values and the scaling back of pandemic-era discounts from 75% to 40% in November, with a complete removal slated for April. This targeted relief, excluding the broader hospitality sector, aims to mitigate the impact of significantly higher rates bills on pubs and potentially includes relaxed licensing rules to further support the industry.
Gen Z investors like Mamadou-Hady Sow, initially drawn to volatile assets like Bitcoin and meme stocks such as GameStop in 2020, are now increasingly favoring long-term, diversified strategies. Sow, who profited initially from meme stocks, now prioritizes maximizing contributions to 401(k) and IRA accounts, allocating the majority of his portfolio to index funds, signaling a shift towards more stable investment vehicles among young investors. This transition reflects a growing understanding of long-term financial planning and risk management within this demographic.
Millions of US households are struggling with soaring energy prices, leading to increased utility debt and service disconnections. A recent report indicates that nearly 5% of US households are at risk of having their utility debt sent to collections, with severely overdue utility debt rising by 3.8% in the first half of the year, highlighting the growing financial strain on consumers.
Greggs acknowledges that the rising popularity of weight loss drugs is impacting its sales, as consumers opt for smaller portions and healthier options, contributing to the company's muted profit forecast. The bakery chain is responding by introducing protein-rich products and smaller portion sizes to cater to evolving customer demands, reflecting a broader health trend observed by other firms like Tesco. This shift in consumer behavior necessitates Greggs adapting its traditional menu to maintain market relevance amidst changing dietary preferences.
Polymarket, a prediction market platform, is facing backlash for refusing to pay out users who bet on a U.S. invasion of Venezuela, despite a U.S. military operation on January 3rd. The company argues the operation didn't meet the definition of an invasion, impacting users who wagered on the event and raising questions about the platform's resolution criteria and regulatory oversight by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission.
According to Moody's Analytics, President Trump's tariffs are stifling job growth, with the labor market adding only 584,000 jobs in 2025, a significant drop from 2 million in 2024. Economist Mark Zandi suggests a Supreme Court ruling against the tariffs could stimulate the economy, as manufacturing alone has lost 70,000 jobs since their implementation in April.
Saks Global, parent company of Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, is reportedly preparing to file for bankruptcy amid worsening financial struggles since its $2.7 billion acquisition of Neiman Marcus in 2024. The retailer faces inventory shortages and questions about its future, impacting shoppers, vendors, and investors. The merger, intended to cut costs and strengthen brands, has seemingly failed to deliver anticipated benefits.
Millions of US households are struggling with soaring energy prices, leading to increased utility debt and service disconnections. A recent report indicates that nearly 5% of US households are at risk of having their utility debt sent to collections, with severely overdue debt rising by 3.8% in the first half of the year, highlighting the growing financial strain on consumers.
Saks Global, parent company to Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, is reportedly preparing to file for bankruptcy amid financial struggles stemming from its $2.7 billion acquisition of Neiman Marcus in 2024. Inventory shortages and broader financial woes are impacting the luxury retailer's operations, raising concerns among customers, vendors, and investors about the future of the combined entity.
