Business - Daily Politics

Gold prices have surged to a fresh all-time high, with bullion reaching a historic record as investors seek safety amid global market volatility and geopolitical uncertainty. The sharp climb in spot gold and gold futures reflects a broad flight to safety, with fragile investor sentiment and a mixed performance in global equities underpinning demand for the precious metal.

A key driver behind the rally is heightened economic uncertainty in China, which is fuelling significant safe-haven demand. Concerns over a growth slowdown, ongoing stress in the property sector, and yuan pressure are prompting capital flows into traditional stores of value. This dynamic ...

President Donald Trump has announced the suspension of planned tariffs on European goods, a move that follows the establishment of a framework agreement concerning Greenland. The decision, framed by Trump as a step toward resolving a protracted transatlantic dispute, signals a temporary de-escalation in trade tensions that had raised fears of a renewed US-EU trade war. The pivot is directly linked to progress in discussions over Greenland, which have shifted from earlier rhetoric about acquisition to a negotiated framework focused on resource access and strategic cooperation.

Central to this diplomatic and economic shift is Greenland's vast store of rare earth minerals, ...

In a strategic move to secure its industrial future, China is building what analysts call a "Copper Empire" in Shandong province. This plan, detailed in a report by the South China Morning Post and discussed in a video by Inside China Business (@Inside_China_Business), aims to create a key global hub for copper smelting and supply chain management. The initiative is a direct response to a chaotic global copper market, where record-high prices are driven not by industrial demand but by financial speculation and new US trade policies.

The core issue stems from recent US tariffs on copper. A 50% tariff on ...

Netflix has submitted an all-cash acquisition offer for Warner Bros. Discovery, a potential blockbuster deal that marks a significant escalation in streaming industry consolidation. This takeover bid, if successful, would create a dominant player in the global streaming market by combining Netflix's platform with Warner's extensive content libraries, film and television studios, and live sports programming. The move signals a strategic shift toward achieving greater scale and content control amid intensifying platform competition.

The proposed merger comes as Netflix reports substantial growth in its advertising business, with its ad-supported tier driving a notable boom in streaming advertising revenue. This diversification is ...

South East Water is facing renewed scrutiny after it emerged that its chief executive, David Hinton, could receive a bonus of up to £400,000 despite widespread supply disruptions that left thousands of customers without water.

The potential payout has drawn criticism from shareholders and customers following a series of outages across parts of south-east England. In recent months, burst mains and infrastructure failures have caused prolonged interruptions, with some households reporting days without running water. The incidents have added to public frustration at water companies already under pressure over reliability and performance.

According to company disclosures, the bonus forms part of a ...

Mortgage rate cuts are gaining pace across the UK, with lenders reducing fixed-rate deals in an effort to stimulate demand in the housing market. Several major banks have lowered rates following the Christmas period, reflecting increased competition and cautious optimism about borrowing conditions.

Among the lenders making changes is Barclays, which has trimmed rates on selected mortgage products to attract buyers and those looking to refinance. Industry analysts say the move signals growing confidence that interest rate pressures may be easing, even as affordability challenges remain for many households.

Data from Moneyfacts shows that the number of rate reductions has increased in ...

U.S. President Donald Trump has been encouraging American oil companies to consider large-scale investment in Venezuela’s vast but deteriorated oil industry, presenting what he calls a major economic opportunity following recent political developments. At a White House meeting, Trump urged executives from major firms including ExxonMobil, Chevron and ConocoPhillips to invest billions of dollars to rebuild infrastructure and boost production, promising “total safety” and U.S. protection for their operations.

Despite the administration’s push and discussion of potential contract incentives, many oil industry leaders have remained cautious. Some executives note that Venezuela’s political volatility, past expropriations and the need for legal ...

Concerns are mounting over the impact of higher business rates on pubs and hospitality businesses, with warnings that the changes could accelerate closures, especially in rural communities.

Industry representatives have said that pubs are already under strain from rising costs, including energy bills, wages and supply prices. They argue that further increases in business rates risk making many venues financially unviable, particularly smaller, community-based pubs that operate on tight margins.

The issue has prompted unease within government ranks, with reports of cabinet-level concern over the scale of the changes and their potential political fallout. Hospitality groups have been urged by ministers not ...

The FTSE 100 has climbed to a new record level, marking a symbolic milestone for the UK’s main stock market index as it continues to benefit from strong performances in key sectors.

Gains were led by energy, mining and defence companies, which have been buoyed by higher commodity prices, global demand and a weaker pound. The international nature of the FTSE 100, with many firms earning revenues overseas, has helped insulate it from slower growth in the domestic economy.

Market analysts noted that while the index’s rise reflects positive sentiment among investors, it does not necessarily signal improved conditions for the broader ...

Tesla has lost its position as the world’s top electric vehicle seller after reporting weaker deliveries, while China’s BYD recorded stronger growth and expanded its global lead in EV sales.

Tesla’s deliveries declined compared with the previous year, reflecting intensifying competition, pricing pressure, and uneven demand across key markets. The company has also faced challenges linked to shifting consumer preferences, increased competition from lower-cost rivals, and delays around new product rollouts.

BYD’s rise has been driven by robust domestic demand in China and expanding international sales, supported by a broad lineup of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Analysts say BYD’s pricing strategy ...