AI-enhanced deception: The audit industry’s next big test January 19, 2026 The audit industry has been under the microscope over the past few years following a number of high-profile corporate collapses, prompting stricter measures to restore public trust. And with the rise of AI-driven fraud, auditors will be under more pressure than ever to adapt to an evolving risk environment. The Financial Reporting Council (FRC), the [...]
UK inflation faces December bump from travel and food costs January 18, 2026 UK inflation may have edged higher at the end of last year, with Christmas travel and higher duties pushing up prices, economists have warned. Several forecasters expect the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) to have ticked up in December after falling sharply in November. Economists at Pantheon Macroeconomics say they expect inflation to rise to 3.3 [...]
Starmer slams Trump’s UK tariff threat over Greenland January 18, 2026 Keir Starmer has joined European leaders in condemning Donald Trump’s plan to impose sweeping tariffs on the UK and several Nato allies. The prime minister has warned the move risks damaging transatlantic trade and collective security. The US president said goods exported from the UK to the US would face a 10 per cent tariff [...]
Urban Pubs & Bars launches acquisition spree after strong Christmas sales January 16, 2026 Urban Pubs & Bars has embarked on an aggressive acquisition spree as the London-based hospitality group toasted strong demand over the Christmas season. This week the company announced it had acquired The Birdcage in East London from Brewdog, marking its sixth acquisition of 2026. The deal follows the recent completion of five premium hospitality venues [...]
Announcement Regarding the Launch of an Open-Ended Aircraft Fund January 16, 2026 – Providing investors with a more liquid aircraft investment opportunity, a new frontier in alternative investments – – The first initiative of its kind by a Japan-based asset manager –
Terra Firma Energy – UK CfD Auction Clears at Higher Wind Prices — Underscoring the Value of Firm, Flexible Generation to Keep Bills Down and the Lights On January 16, 2026 The UK’s latest Contracts for Difference (CfD) Allocation Round results confirm a major step forward for clean electricity buildout, while also highlighting a simple truth about power system economics: as wind and solar scale, flexible, dispatchable capacity becomes more valuable and, done well, cheaper for consumers than the alternatives. This press release features multimedia. View [...]
Northern Trust Asset Management Forecasts AI-Driven Strength in Private Markets; United States, Japan and Australia to Lead Equity Returns over Next Decade January 16, 2026 AI innovation, the global shift to self-reliance and rising government debt likely to be key drivers of financial markets
UK economy grows more than expected but remains ‘fundamentally weak’ January 16, 2026 The UK economy grew more than expected in November last year but remained “fundamentally weak”, official data has shown, reflecting businesses’ nerves about Rachel Reeves’ Budget measures. New Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures showed growth in the UK economy inching up. Business analysts warned over several months that pre-Budget speculation had dampened spending and [...]
KBRA Releases Research – 2026 European Project Finance and Infrastructure Sector Outlook: Stable Credit Quality Amid AI Energy Crosswinds January 16, 2026 KBRA releases its 2026 European project finance and infrastructure (PF&I) Sector Outlook, examining themes that will likely take centre stage in 2026 as well as developments and ratings trends from 2025. The European PF&I sector displayed broadly stable credit quality in 2025, and KBRA expects continued stability in 2026. The credit backdrop is supported by [...]
Goldman Sachs leads Wall St boom amid trading frenzy and deal-making January 16, 2026 Wall Street giants were riding high following this week’s round of earnings updates after months market volatility and deal-making helped take trading revenue to record highs. Goldman Sachs led the surge pocketing $4.3bn in equities trading revenue in the last three months of the year – a record for Wall Street banks. Meanwhile, the banks [...]