Inflation stories
Unsecured borrowers in New Zealand are under mounting strain as Experian flags a rise in personal loan arrears to a three-year peak.
Higher energy costs and currency volatility have not deterred investors, with regional dealmaking still surging to a six-month record of USD $92.5 billion.
Holiday season spending is shifting earlier, with 71% of shoppers planning to start before Black Friday and value-driven buying under pressure.
Shoppers could face higher prices, fewer choices and longer waits as Australian companies pass on rising supply chain costs.
More than two in five Irish professionals now fear AI could affect their jobs, even as most remain confident their skills will still count in three years.
Earlier markdowns could curb food waste and protect margins as grocers are warned of unsold stock up to a week before expiry.
AI worries are prompting more Irish workers to upskill as 41% fear their roles could be affected, a survey found.
More than half of young adults are shifting cash between accounts to dodge failed transactions, a survey found.
Rising regulatory pressure could force banks, merchants and payment firms to tighten controls on AI and card costs as Australia reforms payments.
Uneven regional demand and slower cash collection show many smaller firms still lagging the national sales recovery.
Weak demand, higher fuel costs and slower payments are squeezing cash flow at small firms, with jobs growth at a near two-year low.
The top-up will lower borrowing costs for small firms buying solar, batteries and electric vehicles as energy bills and inflation bite.
Cash-flow pressures are mounting for Canadian small firms, with Xero data showing sales fell 0.6% year on year in the June quarter.
Half of Canadian C-suite leaders say cyber threats could force a major strategy shift next year as AI widens risk and scrutiny.
Fewer motorists switched cover as easing premiums cooled shopping activity, while older vehicles and Chinese brands complicated pricing.
Higher borrowing costs and fuel prices have cooled discretionary spending, leaving consumer-facing firms under pressure as sales growth slowed.
Active traders can now bet on Fed calls, inflation and crypto around the clock, as tastytrade becomes the first broker live on Apex's FCM infrastructure.
Severe arrears are deepening among vulnerable borrowers, even as post-Easter spending fell and repayments ticked higher in May.
Borrowers who seek help before falling behind on mortgages are far more likely to recover, with 87% back on track within six months.
Early-stage Irish start-ups could get mentoring and finance as a new accelerator and a EUR 250 million lending fund target green growth.