Swiss watchmaker Swatch has made headlines with a playful but pointed gesture: a limited-edition watch dubbed “WHAT IF…TARIFFS?” that subtly mocks the 39 percent U.S. import tariff imposed on Swiss goods. The timepiece, with its face swapping the positions of the numbers three and nine to reference the 39% duty, isn’t just marketing — it’s…
Europe’s tech ecosystem is waking up from a long period of cautious hope into moves that suggest serious momentum. The recent IPO of fintech Klarna and the massive funding round led by ASML in French AI startup Mistral represent more than isolated successes—they are part of a broader bet that Europe can build its own…
Luxury fashion giants are reshaping their playbook in the face of a global slowdown, betting that \$160 lipsticks and \$1,400 bag charms could be the antidote to sluggish sales. While big-ticket items like high-end handbags and couture pieces face softer demand, companies are experimenting with smaller, more accessible luxuries designed to capture aspirational consumers and…
Kroger has raised its annual sales outlook for the second time this year, reflecting strong demand for groceries and household essentials as more Americans continue to eat at home amid higher restaurant costs and ongoing economic uncertainty. The move underscores broader trends across the retail sector, where peers like Walmart and Dollar General are also…
Apple has unveiled its latest lineup of iPhones with a striking decision: prices will remain flat despite a wave of global cost pressures, shifting consumer spending patterns, and looming tariff threats from Washington. Analysts say this choice reflects a carefully calculated strategy aimed at balancing short-term resilience with long-term brand strength. The decision comes at…
Anglo American and Teck Resources have moved to combine into a single group that would immediately rank among the world’s largest copper producers, creating a tilted global champion with a market value in excess of \$50 billion and a complex listing and governance structure designed to preserve Anglo’s London presence while anchoring the new company…
ASML’s decision to become the largest backer of French AI start-up Mistral with a €1.3 billion investment was billed internally as more than a financial play: it was a direct effort to entwine Europe’s leading semiconductor equipment maker with a fast-growing European developer of large language models. The deal gives ASML an equity stake of…
Tesla has put forward one of the boldest corporate compensation plans in history, offering Chief Executive Elon Musk a pay package worth up to $1 trillion. The proposal, which dwarfs any previous executive reward in scale, reflects both the board’s confidence in Musk’s ability to redefine the company and the unprecedented ambitions Tesla has set…
Euro-zone inflation edged up in August, reinforcing the argument for the European Central Bank to hold policy steady for the near term and highlighting the growing link between subdued price pressures and central banks’ willingness to keep rates unchanged. The latest flash HICP reading showed headline inflation nudging above the ECB’s 2% target, while underlying…
Audi has embarked on a sweeping strategy overhaul under CEO Gernot Doellner, aiming to revitalize growth after recent years of sales setbacks and intensifying competitive pressures. At the heart of this revamp lies an ambitious long-term target: selling 2 million cars annually. This figure represents around 20 percent growth from 2024 levels and would mark…
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