HSBC is the only UK name on $13 trillion list of top global brands May 14, 2026 The rise of AI has shaken up an influential ranking of global big-name firms, as the competition to become one of the world’s elite brands becomes fiercer than ever, according to an influential index tracking the corporate elite. The Kantar Brandz Top 100 – which ranks the value of brands – unveiled on Thursday, is [...]
Big Tech results: Alphabet soars as Meta meta sinks on spending plans April 30, 2026 The four largest AI players reported quarterly earnings simultaneously for the first time on Wednesday, delivering a broadly positive set of results that nonetheless triggered a sharp divergence in after-hours share price moves. Alphabet led the pack, with Google’s parent company posting revenue of $109.9bn (£81.6bn) a 22 per cent rise on the same period [...]
Big Tech earnings to test AI demand – and Nvidia surge April 28, 2026 Big Tech earnings this week are expected to provide a clearer picture of the AI state of play, with results from Microsoft, Alphabet, Meta and Amazon set to offer updates on capital expenditure and AI-related revenues. The results come as Nvidia, the booming chip darling, closed last week at a record high, taking its market [...]
Look East to understand how AI is shaping the future April 2, 2026 While the West is still debating an AI bubble, China and Singapore are developing strategies to adapt to the forthcoming civilisational change, says Lewis Liu Over the past few months, I’ve spoken with hundreds of asset managers, pension funds, central banks, and sovereign treasuries about AI, collectively managing over $100tn in assets. The same three [...]
CMA launches investigation into Microsoft amid cloud contract crackdown March 31, 2026 The UK’s competition watchdog has launched a new probe into Microsoft’s business software ecosystem, as part of a wider push to loosen the grip of Big Tech on cloud, and boost competition for British firms. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it will open a strategic market status investigation in Microsoft’s suite, including Windows, [...]
Will AI replace gambling as Premier League front-of-shirt preference? March 29, 2026 AI companies have set their sights on sports. The Premier League already has competition-wide AI deals with Microsoft and Adobe, and recently Chelsea FC cut a front of shirt deal with industrial AI company IFS. These firms are in an extraordinary period of growth, and they have deep pockets to elevate their brands. They know [...]
Half of AI’s most expensive chips are sitting idle, says tech expert March 23, 2026 The artificial intelligence boom, so far, has been defined by a single instinct: build more. More chips, more data centres, more power. Capital expenditure from the world’s largest tech firms is running into the hundreds of billions as they race to scale AI systems. Analysts expect global data centre investment to continue rising sharply, with [...]
CMA must act now to fix Britain’s broken cloud market March 20, 2026 The CMA correctly diagnosed the UK cloud market as broken and dysfunctional, so why isn’t it changing anything, writes Lord Clement-Jones.
Microsoft hops on Lizzie line in search for new London HQ February 25, 2026 Microsoft has hopped on the Elizabeth Line in its search for a new London headquarters, with the US tech giant eyeing up Paddington and Canary Wharf as potential homes. The tech firm needs upwards of 200,000 sq ft from its new office and is seeking advice from CBRE, according to the Financial Times. Office space [...]
Former Amazon boss to keep CMA chair February 23, 2026 Doug Gurr has been confirmed as the government’s preferred candidate to continue in the role of chair of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). Gurr, a former boss of Amazon UK, was parachuted into the role on an interim basis last January, but will now complete a full five-year term. Business Secretary Peter Kyle said [...]