Jobless rate falls as small firms scale back hiring over labor costs
The jobless rate has fallen, but the Office for National Statistics says small firms are scaling back hiring, citing labor costs as a key factor.
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First published 20 October 2026
The jobless rate has fallen, but the Office for National Statistics says small firms are scaling back hiring, citing labor costs as a key factor.
bbc.co.uk (English) ↗+ SaveFirst published 20 October 2026
The chancellor rejected calls from influential Labour figures to equalize capital gains tax and income tax, amid criticism that the move could drive wealthy people out of Britain.
bbc.co.uk (English) ↗+ SaveFirst published 20 October 2026
Federal Reserve officials increasingly view the artificial-intelligence investment boom as contributing to inflation. Higher interest rates could weigh more heavily on economic activity outside the AI sector than on the major technology companies driving the boom, Reuters reported.
investing.com (English) ↗+ SaveFirst published 19 October 2026
Treasury yields have shown unusual volatility as investors assess elevated inflation, concerns about risks linked to artificial intelligence and changing participation by foreign investors and hedge funds. Increased leveraged trading by hedge funds may be contributing to market instability, Axios reported.
axios.com (English) ↗+ SaveFirst published 19 October 2026
Oil prices fell as markets assessed uncertainty over a possible easing of Russia-related sanctions and its effect on future supply, while also weighing stronger Chinese growth, market volatility and risks to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
au.investing.com (English) ↗+ SaveFirst published 19 October 2026
Federal Reserve officials are increasingly considering whether the artificial-intelligence investment boom is contributing to inflationary pressure. The Fed is expected to keep its policy rate at 3.75%-4.00% at its October 27-28 meeting while weighing inflation against employment.
ca.investing.com (English) ↗+ SaveFirst published 19 October 2026
AI-related stocks rebounded after steep losses the previous week, lifting the S&P 500 by 0.4% and the Nasdaq by 1.1%. European markets fell more than 1% amid concerns that protests could pressure governments to increase spending and worsen bond-market pressures.
apnews.com (English) ↗+ SaveFirst published 19 October 2026
Anthropic, the developer of the Claude chatbot, said it plans to commit 5% of its shares to a public-good fund, subject to shareholder approval. The stake was valued at about $48 billion at the company’s latest valuation in May, and the company said it would add more shares as its value rises above an undisclosed baseline.
theguardian.com (English) ↗+ SaveFirst published 19 October 2026
China’s economy grew 4.5% year over year in the third quarter, exceeding economists’ expectations and easing pressure for more aggressive stimulus. Weak domestic demand and investment remained concerns despite strong exports.
investing.com (English) ↗+ SaveFirst published 19 October 2026
Federal Reserve officials and economists increasingly view the AI investment boom as contributing to inflationary pressure. Higher interest rates could weigh more heavily on households and smaller businesses, while major AI companies are seen as relatively insulated from borrowing costs.
uk.marketscreener.com (English) ↗+ SaveFirst published 19 October 2026
China’s economy expanded 4.6% in the first three quarters of 2026, supported by robust exports. The International Monetary Fund recently cut its forecast for China’s full-year growth to 4.5%, while global trade barriers remain a risk.
apnews.com (English) ↗+ SaveFirst published 16 October 2026
The dollar pulled back from an 18-month high even as U.S. producer prices recorded their fastest increase in four and a half years and retail sales exceeded expectations. Cautious comments from Federal Reserve officials reduced market expectations for an October rate increase.
in.marketscreener.com (English) ↗+ SaveFirst published 16 October 2026
Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh said he would not prejudge decisions at the central bank’s October and December meetings. The Fed raised its benchmark rate by a quarter point in September, while elevated inflation remains a factor in considering further increases.
apnews.com (English) ↗+ SaveFirst published 16 October 2026
Economic data showed that higher oil and gas prices were spreading into shipping, warehousing and other parts of the economy, raising questions about how long consumers can continue absorbing rising costs.
apnews.com (English) ↗+ SaveFirst published 16 October 2026
The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate remained at 7.4%, its highest level in nearly three years. Persistent inflation, Federal Reserve policy and bond-market expectations for the economy are influencing mortgage rates.
apnews.com (English) ↗+ SaveFirst published 15 October 2026
The U.S. dollar pulled back from an 18-month high after hotter-than-expected inflation data, as investors reduced expectations for an October Federal Reserve rate hike and officials signaled they could wait for a clearer picture.
ca.marketscreener.com (English) ↗+ SaveFirst published 15 October 2026
U.S. producer prices rose 6.3% in September from a year earlier, accelerating from 5.6% in August. The increase was the largest since December 2022, adding to evidence of intensifying inflation pressure.
apnews.com (English) ↗+ SaveFirst published 14 October 2026
China’s exports grew last month at the fastest pace seen in almost any month since the end of the global financial crisis, putting its trade surplus on track for a record.
nytimes.com (English · subscription) ↗+ SaveFirst published 14 October 2026
The IMF said strong investment in AI infrastructure is offsetting the economic impact of higher energy prices linked to the war in the Middle East, while warning that downside risks are increasing and more countries are vulnerable to rising debt.
uk.marketscreener.com (English) ↗+ SaveFirst published 14 October 2026
U.S. consumer inflation accelerated to 3.7% in September from 3.4% in August as gasoline and other goods and services became more expensive. The report increased pressure on the Federal Reserve and raised market expectations for a possible October rate increase.
apnews.com (English) ↗+ SaveFirst published 13 October 2026
JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Wells Fargo and Goldman Sachs reported higher third-quarter profits as consumer spending and business investment remained strong. The banks warned that elevated interest rates and persistent inflation could eventually pressure consumers and the economy; JPMorgan reported $15.3 billion in quarterly profit but missed analysts’ expectations.
apnews.com (English) ↗+ SaveFirst published 13 October 2026
U.S. stocks ended mixed near record highs as investors focused on rising oil prices and bond yields, while awaiting inflation, housing and retail-sales data and major-bank earnings.
apnews.com (English) ↗+ SaveFirst published 12 October 2026
Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack said the central bank should move relatively quickly toward a restrictive policy stance to contain inflation, which she described as broad-based rather than limited to energy costs.
finance.yahoo.com (English) ↗+ SaveFirst published 12 October 2026
The dollar remained near an 18-month high as renewed attacks on energy infrastructure increased demand for defensive assets, while higher energy costs and Treasury yields added to inflation and interest-rate concerns.
finance.yahoo.com (English) ↗+ SaveFirst published 12 October 2026
The IMF expects the global economy to grow 3.1% this year while warning that an artificial-intelligence investment boom and high debt pose risks to the outlook.
apnews.com (English) ↗+ SaveFirst published 12 October 2026
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said AI infrastructure investment was keeping global growth around 3% despite an energy supply shock, with substantial benefits for Asian economies supplying AI hardware.
economictimes.indiatimes.com (English) ↗+ SaveFirst published 12 October 2026
The dollar held near an 18-month high as escalating Middle East conflict supported safe-haven demand, while investors awaited Wednesday's US consumer inflation report for clues about Federal Reserve policy.
uk.marketscreener.com (English) ↗+ SaveFirst published 12 October 2026
Oil prices rose toward two-week highs as attacks on Saudi Arabia and tankers overshadowed prospects for additional Russian diesel supplies, with Brent up 2% at $106.79 a barrel by 13:21 GMT.
marketscreener.com (English) ↗+ SaveFirst published 12 October 2026
Robert E. Hall and Michael Woodford won the Nobel Memorial Prize in economics for research that provided foundations for understanding household saving and spending and stabilizing economies during crises.
apnews.com (English) ↗+ SaveFirst published 12 October 2026
China and the EU reached a trade understanding on hybrid vehicles, with a document seen by Bloomberg indicating that the EU plans to cap Chinese hybrid imports at 350,000 in the first year, potentially starting December 1.
businessmirror.com.ph (English) ↗+ Save