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Strip Tinning Holdings plc (LSE:STG) has landed a significant purchase order to supply its battery system connector for the final development phase of the Zoox Robotaxi program. This contract marks an important strategic milestone for the company as it continues to face external pressures such as U.S. tariff measures and supply chain constraints.

Despite these headwinds, the company remains confident in meeting its 2025 market expectations and has also secured a research and development tax credit claim to support its financial position.

While Strip Tinning’s recent performance has been challenged by lower revenues and liquidity pressures, management points to strategic growth initiatives and grant funding opportunities as potential catalysts for future improvement. Technical analysis shows mixed signals but hints at the potential for a short-term recovery.

About Strip Tinning Holdings plc

Strip Tinning is a leading supplier of advanced connection solutions used in battery modules and automotive glazing systems across the global automotive sector.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
Some portions of this content may have been generated or assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) tools and been reviewed for accuracy and quality by our editorial team.

U.S. equities appear set for a subdued start on Friday, with index futures hovering around the flat line after pointing lower earlier in the session. The tentative recovery in futures reflects lingering uncertainty surrounding credit risks in the U.S. banking sector following Thursday’s sharp downturn.

Shares of Jefferies Financial Group (NYSE:JEF) are up 4% in pre-market trading after Oppenheimer & Co. upgraded the stock to “Outperform” from “Perform.” The investment bank’s shares had plunged more than 10% the previous day on concerns about its exposure to bankrupt auto parts firm First Brands. Oppenheimer noted, however, that its exposure is “very limited.”

Futures sentiment is also being supported by gains in several regional banks. Shares of Fifth Third Bancorp (NASDAQ:FITB), Huntington Bancshares (NASDAQ:HBAN), and Truist Financial (NYSE:TFC) have risen in pre-market trading after the lenders reported stronger-than-expected quarterly earnings.

Credit card giant American Express (NYSE:AXP) is also gaining ground after beating third-quarter estimates and raising its full-year guidance.

Still, overall trading volumes could remain light with no major U.S. economic data releases expected due to the ongoing government shutdown. Many traders are also staying cautious ahead of further developments in the trade dispute between the U.S. and China.

In an interview with Fox Business this morning, President Donald Trump commented on the tariffs he has threatened on Chinese goods, stating they are “probably not [sustainable]” but argued “they forced me to do that.”

Stocks initially rallied on Thursday but lost momentum as the day went on, ultimately finishing lower. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 301.07 points, or 0.7%, to 45,952.24; the S&P 500 slid 41.99 points, or 0.6%, to 6,629.07; and the Nasdaq Composite declined 107.54 points, or 0.5%, to 22,562.54.

The weakness was fueled by renewed concerns over bad loans linked to the bankruptcies of First Brands and Tricolor Holdings. “When you see one cockroach, there are probably more,” Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, warned earlier this week.

Regional lenders Zions Bancorporation (NASDAQ:ZION) and Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE:WAL) tumbled amid concerns over loan quality, while Jefferies also sank.

Earlier in the day, the tech sector got a temporary boost from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (NYSE:TSM), which reported a stronger-than-expected jump in Q3 profits on robust AI chip demand and raised its revenue outlook. Despite reaching a record intraday high, the chipmaker ended down 1.6%.

On the macroeconomic front, the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia said its diffusion index for current general activity plunged to -12.8 in October from 23.2 in September, signaling contraction. Economists had anticipated a drop to 10.0.

Banking stocks led Thursday’s declines, dragging the KBW Bank Index down 3.6%. Brokerage shares also weakened, with the NYSE Arca Broker/Dealer Index losing 1.9%.

Airline, energy, and retail stocks faced additional selling pressure, while gold miners outperformed as the precious metal extended its rally to new record highs.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
Some portions of this content may have been generated or assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) tools and been reviewed for accuracy and quality by our editorial team.

European equities fell sharply on Friday as renewed concerns over the health of U.S. regional lenders sent shockwaves through global markets.

The selloff was triggered after Zions Bancorporation (NASDAQ:ZION) and Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE:WAL) revealed their exposure to alleged borrower fraud, reigniting fears of instability in the credit market.

The DAX in Germany dropped 1.4%, while the FTSE 100 in the U.K. slipped 1.0%. France’s CAC 40 held largely steady, showing minimal movement compared to its peers.

Banking stocks led the declines. Shares of Commerzbank (TG:CBK), Deutsche Bank (TG:DBK), BNP Paribas (EU:BNP), Societe Generale (EU:GLE) and Lloyds Banking Group (LSE:LLOY) all fell as investors assessed potential knock-on effects from U.S. credit market stress.

Automaker Volvo Group (BIT:1VOLC) also tumbled after warning that new U.S. tariffs could dampen demand for heavy-duty trucks in North America in 2025.

Drugmaker Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO) slumped as well, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s promise to cut the price of its blockbuster weight-loss drug, Ozempic.

There were bright spots amid the downturn. Pearson (LSE:PSON) shares jumped after reporting a 4% rise in underlying group sales for the third quarter of 2025.

Spanish lender BBVA (NYSE:BBVA) also rallied after its hostile all-stock takeover offer for Banco de Sabadell fell short of the minimum acceptance level, lifting investor sentiment.

Meanwhile, Smiths Group (LSE:SMIN) gained ground after announcing plans to divest or spin off two of its four core business divisions as part of a strategic streamlining initiative.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
Some portions of this content may have been generated or assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) tools and been reviewed for accuracy and quality by our editorial team.

Shares of ASOS (LSE:ASC) declined more than 3% on Friday after the British online fashion retailer disclosed it is in talks with German customs authorities regarding a legal dispute tied to import duty corrections from previous financial years.

ASOS explained it has been engaged in “ongoing discussions and legal processes” with German customs after assessments were issued on past import duties. The company stated it is formally challenging the claims and believes the maximum potential impact is not material, having reviewed more than 95% of the tens of thousands of customs declarations under review.

According to ASOS, this analysis — which aligns with World Trade Organization customs valuation methods and is backed by external legal counsel — places its additional liability at approximately €0.5 million ($585,900). The company emphasized it will continue to follow the appropriate legal channels.

The development comes after a report from the Financial Times indicated that German tax authorities are pursuing unpaid customs duties on shipments entering the country over several years.

ASOS previously warned that its annual revenue may miss market forecasts due to weak consumer spending, with profits expected to land at the lower end of guidance.

The retailer has been attempting to revitalize its fast-fashion image among younger shoppers while simultaneously cutting costs, as it faces mounting competition from Chinese rivals and trade-related headwinds in the U.S.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
Some portions of this content may have been generated or assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) tools and been reviewed for accuracy and quality by our editorial team.

UBS Switzerland AG expects UK equities to rebound strongly over the next two years, forecasting a turnaround in earnings following a bottoming out in 2025.

In its latest outlook, UBS projects UK corporate earnings will contract by 3% in 2025 before staging a meaningful recovery with 5% growth in 2026 and accelerating further to between 15% and 20% in 2027.

The FTSE 100 has shown resilience this year despite muted economic growth, a firm British pound, and elevated interest rates. UBS highlighted that just five companies — mainly in defense, healthcare, banking, and tobacco — have accounted for almost half of the MSCI UK index’s returns so far.

Matthew Gilman, CIO Equity Strategist at UBS, said he expects market gains to become more broad-based as economic conditions improve. The bank set targets of 9,600 for the FTSE 100 by December 2025 and 9,800 by June 2026.

UBS recommends selective positioning in UK equities, prioritizing three themes: companies benefiting from structural transformation (such as IT, industrials, and utilities), undervalued high-quality exporters, and selective exposure to monetary and fiscal policy trends.

The bank recently upgraded its utilities sector view to “Attractive,” citing strong structural growth potential from rising power demand driven by electrification and data center expansion. It also sees opportunities in real estate, supported by expected interest rate cuts.

In its bullish case, UBS believes the FTSE 100 could climb to 10,500 by mid-2026, supported by progress on U.S. trade agreements, diversification by U.S. investors into UK assets, favorable policy responses, higher commodity prices, or a weaker pound.

Conversely, its downside scenario sees the index potentially falling to 7,000 if a global slowdown takes hold, inflation remains sticky, commodity prices drop, or sterling strengthens further.

While UBS holds an optimistic view on UK stocks, it continues to prefer U.S. and Asian markets overall, pointing to their stronger exposure to innovation-led growth.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
Some portions of this content may have been generated or assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) tools and been reviewed for accuracy and quality by our editorial team.

Wall Street futures were under pressure Friday as concerns over the stability of U.S. regional banks mixed with persistent trade tensions between Washington and Beijing. Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) unveiled an ambitious long-term growth forecast fueled by surging AI demand, while CSX Transportation (NASDAQ:CSX) posted weaker profits but still outperformed expectations. Meanwhile, Micron Technology (NASDAQ:MU) is reportedly preparing to halt server chip shipments to Chinese data centers, and gold’s record-setting rally shows no sign of slowing.

Futures Extend Losses

U.S. equity futures pointed sharply lower, setting up a continuation of Thursday’s selloff as investors grew uneasy about credit risks facing regional lenders.

By 03:46 ET, Dow futures were down 546 points (1.2%), S&P 500 futures fell 96 points (1.5%), and Nasdaq 100 futures slid 382 points (1.5%).

Thursday’s session saw the main indexes retreat after a negative credit update from Zions Bancorporation intensified worries linked to the recent collapses of auto parts supplier First Brands and dealership TriColor.

Zions shares plunged 13%, while Western Alliance Bancorporation lost more than 10% after disclosing a fraud lawsuit against one of its borrowers. Rising U.S. Treasury yields added further pressure across equities.

In a note, analysts at Vital Knowledge warned that “people [are growing] more concerned about a potential systemic problem,” but also noted that “based on all the bank reports thus far, it does seem like First Brands and TriColor are isolated, as credit quality in aggregate remains healthy.”

Oracle’s Bold AI Forecast

Oracle Corporation offered investors an optimistic view of its future, unveiling a long-term financial outlook driven by skyrocketing AI demand that the company described as “really hard to comprehend.”

At an analyst meeting Thursday, executives projected revenue of $225 billion and adjusted earnings of $21 per share by fiscal 2030 — both ahead of Wall Street estimates. Nearly two-thirds of that revenue is expected to come from Oracle’s AI-powered cloud infrastructure.

CEO Clay Magouyrk emphasized the breadth of demand, noting that new bookings are arriving from a diverse customer base, not just from OpenAI.

Although the guidance was widely anticipated, analysts flagged potential margin pressures as Oracle ramps up AI spending. According to LSEG data cited by Reuters, gross margins are expected to dip slightly by fiscal 2027. Shares fell in after-hours trading.

CSX Posts Mixed Quarter

Shares of CSX Transportation moved higher after hours despite reporting a drop in third-quarter profit to $694 million, or $0.37 per share, compared to the prior year. Excluding $164 million in impairment charges, earnings came in at $0.44 a share, topping analyst forecasts.

CEO Steve Angel hinted that the company remains open to “any strategic options” that make sense, fueling ongoing speculation about potential mergers. Earlier this year, an $85 billion deal between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern intensified talk of consolidation in the sector.

CSX and BNSF Railway already announced a partnership in August to link routes between the U.S. West and East Coasts, a move that eased some of the merger rumors. Nonetheless, activist investor Ancora Holdings continues to pressure CSX to pursue a tie-up.

Micron to Halt Server Chip Sales to China

Micron Technology plans to stop supplying server chips to Chinese data centers, according to Reuters, citing two sources familiar with the matter.

The move comes after China’s 2023 ban on Micron products in “critical infrastructure,” widely seen as a response to U.S. export controls on advanced technology. Micron will continue to sell to Chinese firms with data center operations outside the country, including Lenovo Group, as well as to the automotive and mobile sectors.

China accounted for roughly 12% of Micron’s revenue in its last fiscal year. Server chips are vital for running advanced AI applications, making the decision strategically significant.

Gold Rally Extends

Gold prices surged to new record highs as expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut and U.S.-China trade tensions fueled safe-haven demand.

Spot gold rose 0.3% to $4,339.28 per ounce at 03:33 ET after hitting a fresh high of $4,379.29 earlier in the session. U.S. gold futures for December climbed 1.0% to $4,348.86.

The metal is on track for its ninth consecutive weekly gain and fifth straight session of record-breaking prices. In addition to Fed expectations, strong central bank buying, inflows into gold ETFs, and robust Asian demand are sustaining the rally.

Trade tensions and concerns over a prolonged U.S. government shutdown have further reinforced the flight to gold.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
Some portions of this content may have been generated or assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) tools and been reviewed for accuracy and quality by our editorial team.

Oil prices ticked lower on Friday, on track to post a weekly decline of nearly 3%, as investors weighed the impact of a potential summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, alongside concerns over rising global supply.

Brent crude futures fell 16 cents, or 0.26%, to $60.90 a barrel at 06:45 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures slipped 15 cents, also down 0.26%, to $57.31.

Geopolitical developments weigh on sentiment

The losses come after the two leaders agreed on Thursday to hold another summit in Hungary, potentially within the next two weeks. The unexpected announcement followed mounting concerns in Moscow over new U.S. military support for Kyiv.

The news coincided with Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s visit to the White House, where the Ukrainian president was set to lobby for additional U.S. aid, including long-range Tomahawk missiles. At the same time, Washington has been pressuring India and China to scale back Russian oil purchases.

“Concerns of tighter supplies were eased after it was announced that Trump would be meeting with Putin to discuss ending the war in Ukraine,” said Daniel Hynes, an analyst at ANZ, in a note.

Supply concerns intensify

The downward pressure on oil prices was amplified by supply data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, which reported a 3.5 million barrel increase in U.S. crude inventories last week, bringing the total to 423.8 million barrels. That build was well above analyst expectations of a 288,000-barrel rise, according to a Reuters poll.

The surprise increase was attributed to lower refinery activity as facilities undergo seasonal autumn maintenance. Meanwhile, U.S. crude production rose to a record 13.636 million barrels per day, further reinforcing concerns about oversupply.

Earlier this week, the International Energy Agency warned of a growing global supply glut in 2026, adding another bearish factor for the market.

On Thursday, Brent closed 1.37% lower and WTI slipped 1.39%, both benchmarks hitting their weakest levels since May 5.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
Some portions of this content may have been generated or assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) tools and been reviewed for accuracy and quality by our editorial team.

Gold surged to new all-time highs during Friday’s Asian session, moving closer to the $4,400 per ounce threshold as growing expectations of a rate cut by the Federal Reserve and escalating U.S.-China trade frictions intensified demand for safe-haven assets.

Spot gold climbed 0.9% to $4,362.63 an ounce at 01:49 ET (05:49 GMT), after briefly reaching a fresh peak of $4,379.29 earlier in the session. U.S. gold futures for December delivery rose 1.7% to $4,376.91.

The precious metal is up nearly 10% this week and has now advanced for nine consecutive weeks, marking its fifth straight session of record-breaking gains.

Investors pile into gold as Fed signals dovish tilt

Market participants are increasingly betting on a rate cut in October as U.S. economic indicators continue to show cooling inflation and slowing growth.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell struck a more dovish note earlier this week, pointing to downside risks in the labor market and emphasizing that monetary policy will remain data-driven and progress “meeting-by-meeting.”

Support for policy easing is also gaining traction within the central bank. Governor Christopher Waller on Thursday endorsed a 25 basis-point cut in October, citing ongoing softness in employment figures. Meanwhile, newly appointed Governor Stephen Miran has advocated for a more aggressive path toward easing.

Beyond interest rate expectations, gold is also benefiting from strong demand drivers: central bank purchases, rising inflows into gold-backed ETFs, and robust buying in Asian markets. In India, seasonal festival demand has further strengthened physical gold consumption.

The safe-haven appeal of gold has been amplified by renewed trade tensions. Washington recently threatened to impose 100% tariffs on selected Chinese products, prompting Beijing to vow retaliation. Concerns over the potential economic fallout have spurred investors to seek shelter in gold.

In parallel, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed on Thursday to hold another summit to discuss the war in Ukraine — adding a geopolitical layer to market uncertainty.

Other metals trade lower

While gold extended its gains, other precious and base metals were under pressure.

Silver futures edged 0.2% lower to $53.17 an ounce, while platinum futures slipped 1.2% to $1,732.60 per ounce.

On the industrial side, benchmark copper futures on the London Metal Exchange declined 1% to $10,545.20 per ton, and U.S. copper futures fell 0.7% to $4.95 per pound.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
Some portions of this content may have been generated or assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) tools and been reviewed for accuracy and quality by our editorial team.

The U.S. dollar continued to weaken on Friday, on track for a substantial weekly loss as renewed concerns over regional banks fueled expectations of additional interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve later this year.

At 04:10 ET (08:10 GMT), the U.S. Dollar Index — which measures the greenback against a basket of six major currencies — slipped 0.1% to 97.975, putting it on pace for a 0.7% decline this week, its steepest five-day drop since late July.

Banking worries drag on the greenback

The dollar’s decline deepened as investor focus shifted back to the stability of U.S. regional banks. Zions Bancorporation and Western Alliance Bancorporation both reported loan issues tied to fraud, reigniting concerns about the health of the sector as U.S. economic momentum shows signs of slowing.

“The contagion to other risk assets shows not only that markets are still sensitive to regional bank concerns (a legacy of SVB’s 2023 collapse), but potentially to the broader credit market, which has been operating on exceptionally tight spreads over the past few months,” said analysts at ING Group in a note.

This renewed banking stress, combined with trade tensions and signs of softening growth, has reinforced expectations that the Fed may deliver additional rate cuts in the months ahead.

“In such a volatile environment, it’s hard to pick a bottom for USD. DXY [the dollar index] might need to slip back all the way to 97.50 before finding strong support, unless some encouraging domestic U.S. news comes to the rescue today,” ING added.

Euro edges higher after French vote

The euro gained ground, with EUR/USD up 0.2% at 1.1713, supported by political developments in France after Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu survived two no-confidence votes on Thursday by agreeing to delay pension reform.

“That is … enough for the euro to price out a good portion of the French risk premium, and barring a new government collapse before year-end, this should allow EUR/USD to refocus on canonical market drivers (rates and equities),” said ING.

The single currency also drew some support from news that U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin plan to meet within the next two weeks to discuss a possible end to the war in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, GBP/USD slipped 0.1% to 1.3424, giving back part of the previous session’s gains after U.K. data showed a return to modest economic growth in August.

Yen rallies on BOJ signals

USD/JPY fell 0.6% to 149.60 as the yen strengthened following remarks from Kazuo Ueda, Governor of the Bank of Japan.

Ueda said the central bank would continue to raise rates if confidence in meeting its economic targets improves. Although he provided no specific timeline or scale for future moves, his comments lent support to the yen just ahead of the BOJ’s late-October policy meeting.

Other majors mixed

USD/CNY edged up 0.1% to 7.1269, with the yuan trading in a narrow range this week as firm midpoint fixes were offset by weak inflation data and escalating U.S.-China trade tensions.

AUD/USD fell 0.5% to 0.6449, with the Australian dollar posting weekly losses after disappointing labor market figures increased expectations of further rate cuts from the Reserve Bank of Australia.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
Some portions of this content may have been generated or assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) tools and been reviewed for accuracy and quality by our editorial team.

European equities tumbled on Friday, echoing overnight declines on Wall Street as concerns over the financial health of U.S. regional banks rippled through global markets. Investors are also bracing for the release of key eurozone inflation figures.

At 07:10 GMT, the DAX in Germany was down 2%, the CAC 40 in France dropped 1.1%, and the FTSE 100 in the U.K. fell 1.5%.

U.S. markets closed lower on Thursday, dragged down by a sharp selloff in financial stocks late in the session. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost more than 300 points, or 0.7%, while the S&P 500 and NASDAQ Composite ended the day down 0.6% and 0.5%, respectively.

Banking Sector Under Pressure

The European banking sector came under renewed scrutiny after U.S. lenders Zions Bancorporation (NASDAQ:ZION), Jefferies Financial Group (NYSE:JEF), and Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE:WAL) revealed a string of problematic loans on Thursday, heightening concerns over credit risk.

The U.S. regional banking system has experienced several high-profile failures since 2023, and the latest developments have once again raised questions about the resilience of the sector. More regional banks, including Comerica (NYSE:CMA) and Fifth Third Bancorp (NASDAQ:FITB), are scheduled to report earnings later today.

In Europe, Norion Bank posted a 10% year-on-year rise in third-quarter net profit and announced plans for a new share buyback program.

Eurozone Inflation in the Spotlight

Investors are also awaiting confirmation of September’s consumer price inflation data for the eurozone, which is expected to come in at 2.2% annually, in line with the flash estimate and just above the European Central Bank’s 2% medium-term target.

The ECB has lowered rates by two percentage points between 2023 and June 2025 but has since held steady, arguing that inflation is now close to target. Markets widely expect the central bank to keep rates unchanged at its upcoming policy meeting at the end of the month.

Political Tensions in France

French politics remain tense after Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu survived two no-confidence votes on Thursday, easing the risk of snap elections but weakening the government of President Emmanuel Macron. To maintain stability, Macron was forced to delay his flagship economic reform until after the 2027 presidential election.

Auditors warned that pushing back the reform could leave a €13 billion annual shortfall in public finances by 2035 if no changes are made after 2027.

Corporate News

In company updates, Pearson PLC (LSE:PSON) posted a 4% rise in third-quarter sales, bringing year-to-date growth to 2%. The education company expects stronger performance in the fourth quarter, driven by favorable unit dynamics and its expanding digital offerings.

Volvo Group (BIT:1VOLC) reported third-quarter operating earnings in line with expectations, though weaker demand in the Americas weighed on results.

Hermès (EU:RMS) confirmed the departure of Véronique Nichanian, its menswear artistic director, after 37 years with the brand. Meanwhile, German newspaper Bild reported that the supervisory board of Porsche AG (TG:PAH3) has agreed on a successor to CEO Oliver Blume.

Oil Prices Ease as Peace Talks Loom

Crude prices slipped on Friday after U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to meet to discuss a potential resolution to the war in Ukraine.

Brent Crude futures were down 0.8% at $60.60 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate futures also dropped 0.8% to $57.01. Both benchmarks were down nearly 3% for the week, touching their lowest levels since early May, as the planned peace summit in Budapest added to downward pressure.

Concerns over weakening demand, a potential oversupply, and rising U.S. crude inventories have also weighed on oil markets.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
Some portions of this content may have been generated or assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) tools and been reviewed for accuracy and quality by our editorial team.