Inflation stories
Strong cash generation and steady water and energy demand left Veolia on track to meet its 2026 targets after first-quarter sales rose 1.0%.
Restaurants and retailers are seeking more control over customer data as the Singapore startup readies its first overseas push into Germany.
Innovation support may lift deep tech, but investors warn the Budget's CGT overhaul could curb startup risk-taking and talent hiring.
Business groups welcomed the Budget's productivity push, but warned small firms and agencies still lack the skills to deliver it.
Retailers are using category management to cut waste, avoid empty shelves and respond faster to cost-of-living pressures and supply shocks.
Relief for the Reserve Bank comes as the federal budget avoids fresh cost-of-living handouts, while tightening tax breaks for higher earners.
Rising fuel and energy bills are squeezing margins and leaving Australian firms facing weaker trading conditions ahead.
Freight and energy costs are feeding May price rises, with over 40% of retailers and transport firms planning increases, ONS data show.
Retail traders may face quicker gold and forex decisions as the new bot automates analysis and trade execution from GBP £495.
Sleep loss and costly cover gaps are leaving most UK small firms exposed, as 77% say they do not understand cyber insurance.
Supermarkets face mounting pressure to match online deals, as 78% of UK shoppers now expect in-store prices to mirror digital offers.
Many small businesses may delay investment and hiring unless the Federal Budget delivers tax relief and help with rising costs.
Higher fuel and borrowing costs are starting to squeeze builders, with insolvencies likely to rise if Strait of Hormuz disruptions persist.
Cash flow pressure is building for US small firms as payment times lengthened and late invoices rose in Xero's March quarter data.
Customer-facing firms were hit hardest as weak demand and higher costs left UK small businesses with their slowest sales growth in two years.
Momentum stayed firm for Australian small businesses in the March quarter, as sales, jobs and wages all rose despite higher fuel costs.
Improving demand and higher interest-rate relief helped New Zealand small businesses post 3.9% sales growth in the March quarter.
Cash flow is tightening for Canadian small businesses as March sales improved only slightly, while payment times lengthened and late bills rose.
Fuel costs have pushed headline prices higher again, leaving the Reserve Bank of Australia under pressure to raise interest rates despite softer underlying inflation.
Growth has spread beyond banking in Canada, with telecoms, utilities and retailers helping lift the country’s top brand values 16 per cent.
