Japan is looking for alternative ways to finance its ambitious economic investment programme as falling technology shares expose the vulnerability of government revenue and add pressure to an already complicated fiscal position. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s decision to use proceeds linked to the Bank of Japan’s sales of exchange-traded funds reflects a wider effort to…
The sharp fall in technology shares following the 2026 US midterm elections has exposed how vulnerable the artificial intelligence investment boom has become to political and financial uncertainty. Investors reacted to the prospect of a Democratic-controlled Congress introducing stricter oversight of AI development and data-centre construction, raising concerns that infrastructure projects could face delays, higher…
Singapore Airlines’ decision to invest more than $2 billion Singapore dollars in its long-haul cabin products reflects a growing belief among major international carriers that premium travel will remain an important source of commercial advantage. The investment, valued at approximately $1.6 billion US dollars, will cover new seating arrangements across first class, business class, premium…
Meta’s decision to suspend planned changes to its commercial and advertising terms highlights the growing tension between technology platforms and the businesses that depend on them. The company had intended to introduce revised conditions covering commercial activities, product catalogues, self-service advertising and the use of generative artificial intelligence in advertising. However, the changes, originally scheduled…
Airbnb’s stronger financial outlook suggests that the global travel market remains capable of supporting growth despite increasing caution among established online travel companies. The vacation-rental platform has raised its full-year revenue growth expectations after reporting a strong third quarter, indicating that demand for leisure travel and its expanding range of services are providing additional commercial…
The European Union’s action against TikTok marks a significant escalation in the debate over how social media companies use artificial intelligence to influence user behaviour. The central issue is no longer simply whether platforms remove illegal content or protect children from inappropriate material. Regulators are increasingly examining how the underlying technology determines what people see,…
The expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure in the United States is encountering a problem that cannot be solved simply by investing more money or building larger data centres. Technology companies are discovering that communities hosting these facilities increasingly want a greater say in how they are developed, how much electricity they consume and who ultimately…
The future ownership of the Armani fashion house is emerging as one of the most significant succession questions in the global luxury industry. Following the death of founder Giorgio Armani, the family controlling the business is considering a stock market listing rather than selling the company outright to a major luxury group. The preference reflects…
The rapid development of artificial intelligence shopping agents could change one of the most profitable aspects of online retail: the ability of major retailers to influence what consumers discover and purchase. For companies such as Amazon and Walmart, digital advertising is no longer simply an additional source of revenue. It has become an important part…
The largest American technology companies are generating record amounts of operating cash, but their ability to return that money to shareholders is being squeezed by the enormous cost of expanding artificial intelligence infrastructure. The change represents a significant departure from a financial strategy that helped support technology valuations for more than a decade, when regular…
