Business
The latest business news and analysis from JournalArta Global.
Flutter cut 1,400 jobs as UK betting taxes rise
Flutter plans to cut up to 1,400 jobs across the UK and Ireland and among British and Irish staff at sites in Portugal and Romania. The Paddy Power owner says higher taxes on online casino and sports betting have changed the industry’s economics and cannot be fully absorbed. The company has not said which roles are at risk, while its restructuring plan is expected to cost between $80m and $90m.
Euro drops high energy pressure tests France and markets
The euro came under pressure as protests over living costs and public services shook France, while European stocks fell. Energy prices remain part of the broader squeeze on household budgets, and unrest has disrupted businesses. The market moves came as oil prices dropped after the United States paused new sanctions on Russian energy, adding another factor for investors tracking the region’s economic outlook.
Bitcoin Rebounds Above $82,000 as Oil Prices Retreat
Bitcoin climbed as much as 2.3% in early Asia trading Monday as oil prices fell and other risk assets recovered. The cryptocurrency hovered around $82,400 at noon in Singapore, while ether and solana also advanced. A market strategist described the move as a retracement after a difficult week, while US-listed spot Bitcoin funds recorded outflows for a second consecutive week.
France braces debt sell-off as protests deepen budget strain
Violent protests over living costs and school conditions are adding pressure to France’s bond market as the government struggles to pass a budget and control debt. French borrowing costs have risen faster than Germany’s, and analysts warn political uncertainty could keep the gap widening even if European bond markets recover.
Roaring exports lift China’s growth as Europe reels
Strong exports lifted China’s economic growth, while unrest in France put pressure on the euro and French government bonds. The Guardian’s business live report also tracked declines in French and Italian markets, as investors watched the widening gap between French and German bond yields and awaited a review of France’s credit rating by Moody’s.
CoreWeave projected 6.3x gross leverage as debt climbs
CoreWeave faces questions about its balance sheet as analysts project gross leverage of nearly 6.3x by the end of 2026. The company is borrowing heavily to expand data center capacity for AI customers, while investors have sold its bonds. Its large revenue backlog offers support, but Fitch said 65% of first-quarter revenue came from its top two customers.
IMF Urges Support for Poorer Nations Hit by War Shocks
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva says poorer countries face rising debt costs, inflation and energy shocks from conflicts. Low-income countries now spend 8 to 14 percent of revenue on debt repayments, while the IMF says it can help restructure debt and attract financing. Georgieva also outlined support talks with Iraq and Lebanon.
Bitcoin Rebounds From $80,000 as Midterms Put Crypto Rules at Risk
Bitcoin recovered after falling to around $80,000, its lowest level since September 18. Charles Schwab research director Adam Lynch warned that a change in political control after the midterm elections could stall crypto policy in Washington, though he remains somewhat optimistic about a bipartisan deal.
PayPal Shares Plunge More Than 80% Despite Business Growth
PayPal shares have fallen more than 80% from their 2021 high, but the company continues to report modest revenue and transaction growth. Its latest results also show higher profits guidance, strong customer activity and ongoing stock buybacks, factors cited in an assessment that the shares may be undervalued despite competitive pressure.
Warsh Offers No Rate-Cut Signal as Inflation Remains Above Fed Target
Inflation has remained above the Federal Reserve’s 2% goal for more than five years, leaving households and markets watching closely for clues on borrowing c...
Dow rises 500 points as investors shift beyond AI stocks
The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 556.21 points as investors moved toward stocks outside technology amid concerns about AI spending and persistent inflation. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq also finished higher, while producer prices posted their biggest monthly and yearly gains since 2022, according to CNBC.
Goldman Sachs Flags Rising AI Infrastructure Borrowing Costs
CoreWeave shares fell as investors reassessed the financing risks behind the AI infrastructure build-out. Goldman Sachs said spreads on high-yield AI-related debt widened sharply, while borrowing-cost concerns also weighed on other neocloud stocks. The bank’s strategist expects some near-term reversal in the debt sell-off but says performance across AI-related issuers is likely to remain uneven.
Stock Market Dow Jumps as Treasury Yields Sink
U.S. stocks recovered on Thursday as Treasury yields fell and chip stocks pared earlier losses. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose nearly 600 points, while the S&P 500 gained 0.3% and the Nasdaq Composite turned slightly higher after falling more than 1% earlier. September wholesale inflation data, meanwhile, raised fresh questions about the Federal Reserve’s next move.
AI Debt Concerns Weigh on Nvidia, CoreWeave Shares Rebound
Nvidia shares fell roughly 1% as investors sold chip and AI-related stocks amid concerns about debt-heavy balance sheets and hotter-than-expected inflation. The decline eased during Thursday’s session, while CoreWeave rebounded after CEO Jensen Huang expressed optimism about the data center operator. The pressure highlights how financing worries around AI infrastructure companies are affecting the broader sector.
QQQM Adds to All 101 Holdings, Led by $14.8 Million in Nvidia
Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF recorded net inflows of $177.3 million in Tuesday’s session and added to all 101 stocks in its portfolio. NVIDIA was the largest purchase by value, followed by Apple and Microsoft, and the holdings data reported for October 13, 2026 shows no positions sold or newly added.
Micron Shares Fall 11% as China Competition Fears Grow
Micron stock fell around 11% over five days as worries about Chinese competition and a possible memory-chip glut weighed on the sector. Analysts questioned whether China’s CXMT can scale its new server-memory design, while a 2029 oversupply forecast has added to investor concern. Neither risk has yet established that the industry’s supply-demand balance is about to shift.
QQQ Adds $6.35 Billion Across All 101 Holdings on Oct. 13
Invesco QQQ Trust recorded $6.35 billion in net buying on Oct. 13, with purchases across all 101 holdings and no decreases. Nvidia, Apple and Microsoft led the fund’s buying by dollar value. The trust reported $491.69 billion in assets under management, while technology made up 59.3% of classified assets.
Moderna’s $2.8 Billion Loss Contrasts With Vertex’s $4 Billion Profit
Moderna’s 2025 revenue fell about 39.2% as demand for COVID-19 products shifted toward seasonal cycles, while the company reported a net loss of nearly $2.8 billion. Vertex Pharmaceuticals reported close to $12.1 billion in revenue and nearly $4.0 billion in net income. The comparison highlights different financial profiles and risks for investors weighing the two biotechnology companies.
Brent Crude Rises to $108.70, Putting Gas Prices in Focus
Brent crude stood at $108.70 per barrel at 7:15 a.m. Eastern Time on October 14, according to Fortune, up $1.41 from the previous morning and roughly $46 higher than a year earlier. The rise can feed through to gasoline prices, though refining, distribution, taxes and station margins also shape what drivers pay.
Walmart Shares Rise 3% as Inflation Sends Investors to Essentials
Walmart stock rose 3% as hotter-than-expected September inflation pushed investors toward retailers selling everyday necessities. Costco gained 2%, while the broader market and retail shares fell. The gains came as Walmart faces higher goods, labor and benefits costs, with its 41x price-to-earnings ratio leaving less room for margin pressure. The company has also announced new benefits for U.S. associates.
CoreWeave Shares Fall 15.5% as Debt Concerns Grow for AI Boom
CoreWeave shares fell sharply as borrowing costs climbed, intensifying investor concerns about debt used to build AI infrastructure. D.A. Davidson analyst Gil Luria warned the company’s equity could be wiped out if AI spending weakens, while CEO Mike Intrator said its backlog supports its debt obligations. The company is seeking cheaper financing as investors weigh its losses and substantial obligations.
Adrian Portelli’s LMCT+ Supermarket Opens in Melbourne’s West
Adrian Portelli has opened his first LMCT+ supermarket in Deer Park, Melbourne, with a promise to beat qualifying Coles and Woolworths prices by 10 per cent. The offer applies to identical items at regular in-store prices, while shoppers need an annual membership to access discounts. Opening-day comparisons found some products cheaper than at the major chains, while others cost more.
Saylor Says Bitcoin Bull Market Is Just Beginning After Rebound
Michael Saylor says Bitcoin’s bull market may be starting, arguing that policy pressures have eased and new tailwinds are emerging. He expects BTC to move back above $100,000 and says Strategy’s long-term forecast calls for annual growth of 20%-30% over the next twenty years. Bitcoin was trading at $83,761.77 at the time of the report.
Paul Tudor Jones Warns 2027 Could Challenge U.S. Stocks as Share Sales Grow
Paul Tudor Jones warned that 2027 could bring a difficult backdrop for U.S. stocks as major technology offerings and secondary share sales add to equity supply. He said buybacks and mergers that supported the market’s four-year bull run are turning, while the fiscal deficit and oil prices pose further risks. Jones compared current conditions to 1999 and said the market may be nearing a point where it forces action on deficits.