Finance news

Buy the UK DIP? Defense stocks lifted by $20 billion spending boost as gilts come under fire

British defense stocks are marching higher once again after the U.K. confirmed a near-$20 billion military spending boost on Tuesday.

◇ unclassifiedusa · uk

Overlooked bottlenecks and hyperscalers forced to keep spending will keep the chip-stock rally alive, says Nomura team

Nomura analysts offer a deep dive into the semiconductor industry — and some bottlenecks that the market hasn’t even woken up to.

◇ unclassifiedusa

Car manufacturer: Union calls for protest against austerity measures at Mercedes-Benz

The savings plans at Mercedes-Benz are causing unrest: IG Metall is calling on employees in southern Germany to protest.

Sporting goods company: Nike exceeds expectations – shares still fall

Nike has been fighting its way out of a largely self-made slump for over a year. The latest figures are met with skepticism on the stock market.

◇ unclassifiedusa · europe · germany

Germany expands its exoatmospheric missile shield with second Arrow-3 deployment

Kaufbeuren will be home to the system’s radar site, while the actual interceptor launchers for that battery are planned for nearby Fliegerhorst Lechfeld.

Reform summit: protection against dismissal, tax cuts, social contributions - that's on the table at the coalition committee

The coalition leaders will meet on Wednesday afternoon: They want to put together a major reform package. What topics are at stake, what agreements are possible and why there are still arguments.

Mobility costs: Fuel prices rise sharply when the fuel discount ends

The tax reduction has been over since midnight. Prices are rising sharply, but the feared record jump at lunchtime does not materialize.

Asia Technonomics: Whether in business or football – Germany is no longer world class

Eliminated from the World Cup and there is also a threat of economic relegation. Neither the referee nor Chinese subsidies are to blame for this.

Administrative court: Trial regarding controls at the border with Austria

Once again, German border controls are under legal scrutiny. In Munich, three men are suing against it.

◇ unclassifiedmiddle-east · usa

Trump Tells Gasoline Retailers to Cut Prices Immediately

In a statement posted on his Truth Social page on Tuesday, U.S. President Donald J. Trump ordered U.S. gasoline retailers to cut their prices 'immediately'.

◇ unclassifiedmiddle-east · russia · usa

KKR and SK Launch South Korea’s Largest Renewable Energy Platform

Global investment firm KKR and South Korea’s industrial conglomerate SK Inc are launching the single biggest renewable energy platform in South Korea to help meet growing power demand from AI and chip manufacturing. KKR and SK Inc are creating the platform, valued at about $1.3 billion, or 2 trillion South Korean won, to combine 1.7 gigawatts (GW) of clean energy capacity in operation and a pipeline of projects in development that would boost the platform’s total capacity to 10 GW, the investmen

◇ unclassifiedusa · europe

Tesla deliveries are set to rise — no thanks to the U.S.

Europe should be a source of strength when Tesla posts its second-quarter delivery numbers later this week.

Hyperscaler: Microsoft is planning the next large AI server location in North Rhine-Westphalia

The days of coal mining in the Rhenish mining area are numbered - and then what? High investments in new server locations for AI applications give at least some hope. But there is also skepticism.

Working in retirement: Why high earners continue to work voluntarily

Politicians are still discussing how long we have to work. Many retirees have been hanging on for a few years now – and enjoying it. How do they do that?

Fuel prices: The first midday jump after the fuel discount ends is rather small

The typical increase at 12 p.m. was slightly smaller on Wednesday than on previous days. Diesel and petrol still rise well above 2 euros.

◇ unclassifiedusa · europe · uk

Ukraine signs $2.5 billion contract with Sweden for Gripen E deliveries by 2029

The deal is a first step in Kyiv’s planned ambition to purchase up to 150 of the advanced combat jets, noted Swedish Minister of Defense Pål Jonson on social media.

◇ unclassifiedusa · china

Bulls are betting big on this global ETF that's deep in a bear market

U.S. stocks just keep winning, with the Nasdaq closing out its best quarter since 2020. Across the globe in China, things couldn't be more different.

◇ unclassifiedgermany · europe · usa

Energy transition: Battery storage could reduce the burden on the electricity system by billions

The high proportion of wind and solar power leads to fluctuating energy prices. Battery storage could cushion this effect – and save almost four billion euros per year.

◇ unclassifiedgermany · europe · usa

War in the Middle East: Media: Indirect US-Iran talks in Qatar have begun

The situation between the USA and Iran remains tense. Nevertheless, talks are now underway in the Gulf state of Qatar.

◇ unclassifiedgermany · europe · china

Investments: How Germany can become competitive again

Europe's economy is suffering from the second China shock. A study by the consulting firm McKinsey shows where the problems lie and what solutions there are.

◇ unclassifiedchina · asia

‘YMCA’ Village People singer Victor Willis dies at 74

Victor Willis, lead singer of the disco group Village People whose hit Y.M.C.A. became a fixture at rallies for US President Donald Trump, has died, his spouse said in a Facebook post on Wednesday. “It is with profound sadness that I must announce the death of my husband, VICTOR WILLIS. Victor passed away on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, as a result of a short, but aggressive illness,” the post on Willis’s official page said. The Texas-born musician, who was 74, was a co-founder of the Village People.

Tech leads first half stock gains — but the biggest winners weren't in the U.S.

U.S. Big Tech stocks enjoyed strong gains — despite a sharp sell-off at the end of June — but were largely outperformed by their international counterparts.

◇ unclassifiedusa

Precious metal: Gold price continues to fall – has it bottomed out?

The price of gold is fighting for the $4,000 mark. Which forecasts analysts have for the second half of the year and what is important now.

◇ unclassifiedchina · asia

‘Upside potential’: World Gold Council counts on Asian buyers to curb price plunge

Asian markets are a growing force in gold price discovery as the metal remains sensitive to heightened geopolitical concerns and abrupt shifts in investor sentiment, according to the World Gold Council. Asian trading hours have been a key driver at gold price rebounds during the first half of the year, while the pullbacks tended to occur when US markets were open, according to the council’s global midyear outlook report published on July 1. “It … showcased the growing relevance of Asian markets.

Student-loan borrowers face major changes that start today. Your repayment plan may be phased out.

SAVE plan notices are going out in July, and other repayment plans are being phased out or launched.

◇ unclassifiedusa

Ranking: AI and crisis: These are the winners and losers of management consultants

The third year of recession in a row is also hitting consultants. As a study shows, the competition among the top 20 German consulting firms is heating up. A newcomer is a new start-up.

Climate: Seas warmer than ever before at this time of year

At the beginning of summer 2026, global ocean temperatures will reach a new high. But warmer oceans pose a risk for extreme weather.

Aircraft manufacturer: Dassault open to new partners after FCAS-Aus - also outside Europe

In June, Germany and France stopped FCAS due to industry disputes. France could now turn to a Swedish aircraft manufacturer or a Middle Eastern nation.