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EU-backed growth fund opens a new financing channel for European technology scaleups. The European Commission has allocated €1 billion to this effort through funding supported by Horizon Europe. Initial funding contributions will come from founding investors, alongside the EU’s own commitment, at the first closing. The €5 billion figure represents the fundraising goal rather than the amount already secured. The value of the initial closing has not yet been disclosed. EQT may raise more or less than the stated target. The Commission will participate in the fund under the same financial terms as other investors. The fund aims to back European technology firms seeking substantial late-stage and growth financing rounds. It includes companies located in EU member states and eligible Horizon Europe partner nations. EQT will evaluate potential investments through a merit-based process and will also oversee the portfolio, making individual funding decisions. Governance will involve the Commission and other investors but will not influence specific deal choices. EQT obtained the management mandate following an open, competitive selection process. Focus on strategic technologies and investment levels Targeted sectors include artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum technology, robotics and autonomous systems. The mandate also encompasses energy, space, biotechnology, medical technology, agritech and advanced materials. The fund anticipates investing approximately €100 million or more per selected company, which may include follow-on funding after initial investment. Companies can qualify from Series B onward. They must operate within an eligible country or plan to establish operations there. The investment scope covers digital, industrial, and life sciences

The OECD reported that the annual inflation rate slowed to 4.2% in June 2026, down from 4.6% in May. Lower energy inflation helped reduce price growth across OECD, G7 and G20 economies. The most significant contribution to the overall slowdown came from energy inflation, which dropped by four percentage points to 11.7%, compared to 15.8% in May. Of the 37 countries reporting data, 24 experienced decreases in energy price growth, while 10 countries saw increases. Six nations continued to record energy inflation rates exceeding 15%.

The UK economy remains outside of recession, yet softer levels of investment and hiring have heightened concerns about its future growth prospects. EY forecasts that the gross domestic product will grow by 0.9% in 2026, revising its May estimate upward by 0.1 percentage points. For 2027, the firm predicts a growth rate of 1.2%. Their central scenario assumes the Strait of Hormuz reopens by September, although shipping volumes are still below typical levels. Energy prices now sit at the forefront of the UK economic debate.

Wall Street posted broad gains as the Dow reached a record close and the Nasdaq advanced. Leading the session’s biggest gains were major technology and communication giants. Meta Platforms and Alphabet contributed to a 4.3% rise in the S&P 500’s communication services sector. Amazon saw a 4.6% increase after its market capitalization surpassed $3 trillion for the first time. A fund tracking seven prominent technology firms gained nearly 4%. These positive moves helped lift the overall market sentiment throughout the day. Crude oil prices declined as market participants reacted to recent developments involving the United States and Iran. Brent crude fell 4.7%, settling at $83.77 per barrel. President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would postpone additional strikes against Iran and mentioned discussions about reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Iran countered, stating no formal negotiations had been scheduled. This decline in oil prices eased immediate inflation concerns, boosting stocks and government bonds. Falling oil prices bolster market confidence During the trading session, the benchmark 10-year Treasury yield declined to around 4.68%. Lower yields benefited technology stocks since financing costs directly influence many growth-oriented companies. Investors continued to monitor the Federal Reserve and incoming economic indicators. According to New York Federal Reserve President John Williams, inflationary pressures are expected to ease gradually. Bond prices rose as yields fell, providing additional support for U.S. equities. The upward momentum extended beyond large tech firms. The Russell 2000 index, representing smaller companies

UK solar power capacity reached 22.8 gigawatts at the end of June 2026, marking another increase in national deployment. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero counted about 2.076 million installations across the country. Households and businesses added 27,391 systems during June. Those projects contributed 132 megawatts of new capacity. The monthly data remain provisional and may change as officials receive further project records.

The latest official data from Statistics Canada confirms that the Canadian economy grew by 0.3 per cent in May, marking a second consecutive month of expansion and exceeding prior government estimates. According to monthly Gross Domestic Product figures, real output increased in 13 of 20 key industrial sectors, fueled by widespread growth in goods-producing industries and persistent demand within services. This monthly growth surpassed the preliminary flash estimate of 0.1 per cent, giving the economy additional momentum following a revised April growth rate of 0.6 per cent.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sanctioned a landmark national project on Friday aimed at boosting hydrocarbon discovery in Indian ocean basins. Official statements issued by the Press Information Bureau confirmed that the Cabinet has approved the Rs 84,084 crore offshore oil and gas exploration initiative, known as the Samudra Manthan national program. Managed under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, this central sector scheme will be implemented through the fiscal years 2030 to 2031. The multi-billion-rupee effort is designed to advance deepwater exploration, strengthen energy security, and unlock untapped oil and natural gas reserves within India’s exclusive economic zone.

The British government announced on Wednesday a significant strategic funding commitment, with an investment of £8.4 billion into the operation of its nuclear submarine program to enhance the continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent. An official statement from the Prime Minister’s Office detailed that this multi-billion-pound financial package aims to accelerate the construction of four Dreadnought-class nuclear-powered submarines while creating thousands of high-skilled jobs for young people over the next decade.

Belgium experienced an unexpected surge in consumer price growth in July, with the annual inflation rate reaching 3.56 percent, up from 3.40 percent in June. This uptick, according to official data published on Thursday by Statbel, the Belgian national statistical office, surpassed the forecast of 3.37 percent previously projected by the Federal Planning Bureau. The latest figures reveal persistent inflationary pressures across sectors such as recreation, utilities, and transportation, reversing a brief period of moderation. On a monthly basis, the consumer price index rose by 0.63 percent, increasing 0.65 points to 103.60 compared to 102.95 in June.

Starbucks Corporation, a leader in specialty coffee, announced its fiscal third-quarter 2026 financial results on Wednesday, exceeding Wall Street expectations for both earnings and comparable store sales. Market disclosures revealed that Starbucks stock experienced a jump as efforts to enhance third place sales appear to be paying off, with the company’s outlook for 2026 improving and shares rising more than five percent during extended trading on the Nasdaq. The Seattle-based retailer reported consolidated net revenues of $9.3 billion for the 13-week period ending June 28, 2026, supported by an 8.1 percent increase in North American store sales and ongoing margin growth across its global operations.