Thomas Barnet

The Pentagon to order fewer F-35s than planned

June 11, 2025 at 04:43 pm

The London Stock Exchange at its zenith

The UK's FTSE 100, which has seen 77% of trading days end in gains over the last 40 sessions, is flirting with the record high of 8,871 points reached on March 3 (8,908.82 points during trading).

June 10, 2025 at 07:58 pm

Apple, more AI and designs

At its Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple detailed its upcoming strategy for its operating system and implementation of AI in its smartphones. Currently losing momentum, the Cupertino-based company needs to win back the hearts of its customers.

June 10, 2025 at 05:53 pm

Trump and Xi spoke on the phone

June 05, 2025 at 09:27 pm

The ECB cuts rates for the eighth time in a year

The European Central Bank has cut interest rates for the eighth time in twelve months, a sign that inflation is now under control. However, the institution is taking a more cautious tone on the economic outlook for the eurozone, which has been notably weakened by rising trade tensions with the United States.

June 05, 2025 at 09:24 pm

With AI, Meta wants to replace advertising agencies such as Publicis and WPP

Meta is accelerating its transformation into an artificial intelligence giant by targeting the advertising world. According to the Wall Street Journal, the California-based group plans to entrust its entire advertising process—from creation to targeting—to its own AI tools by the end of 2025. This small revolution sent Publicis and WPP shares down on the stockmarket on Monday.

June 02, 2025 at 09:03 pm

Is BYD a giant with feet of clay?

Yesterday's spectacular slump in BYD's share price—down 8.6% in Hong Kong—appears to be an alarm bell. Admittedly, the company remains one of the undisputed champions of Chinese electric vehicles, although its commercial offensives are weighing on margins and leading to a price war that is worrying even the Chinese authorities.

May 27, 2025 at 03:22 pm

Tesla sales continue their freefall in Europe (-49%)

Tesla's sales in Europe plunged 49% in April 2025 compared to April 2024, even as registrations of 100%-electric cars rose 27.8% over the period, according to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA). The update of the Model Y was not enough to restore the image of the American brand, which continues to lose momentum in Europe.

May 27, 2025 at 03:10 pm

OnlyFans: in talks for an $8bn sale

Fenix International, the parent company of OnlyFans, is in advanced negotiations to sell the platform to a consortium of investors led by the American company Forest Road Company, Reuters has learned. The deal, which remains confidential, would value OnlyFans at around $8bn, according to three sources close to the matter. This is the first time that this amount and the name of the potential buyer have been mentioned publicly.

May 23, 2025 at 04:02 pm

Precious metals: gold wakes up but leaves platinum to shine

Gold prices resumed their upward trend, reaching their highest level in over a week. This rebound is fueled by the weakening US dollar and the continuing climate of political and economic uncertainty. An ounce of gold was trading at around $3,320 early on May 22.

May 22, 2025 at 04:57 pm

Oil prices rise amid tensions between Israel and Iran

Oil prices rose more than 1% on Wednesday morning, boosted by reports of a possible Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear facilities. Such a scenario is reigniting fears about crude supplies in a region that is crucial to global production.

May 21, 2025 at 05:08 pm

Offshore wind power: Trump revives project in New York

Against all odds, the Trump administration has lifted the freeze that had paralyzed the Empire Wind project off the coast of New York for a month. The $5bn wind farm, led by Norway's Equinor, will eventually power half a million homes.

May 20, 2025 at 05:43 pm

China cuts rates for the first time in seven months

In China, the central bank has pulled a new tool out of its bag. Faced with a recovery that is slow to materialize, the authorities have lowered their key interest rates—a first since October. The one-year and five-year rates have each been cut by 10 basis points, to 3% and 3.5% respectively.

May 20, 2025 at 05:40 pm

UBS faces regulatory crackdown in Switzerland

UBS has not yet finished digesting its takeover of Credit Suisse. In addition, the Swiss bank expects to suffer a serious setback on the regulatory front. Bern is working on a reform that could require it to raise up to $25bn in additional capital, according to Bloomberg.

May 20, 2025 at 03:44 pm

Defense, trade, Erasmus… London and Brussels ready to patch things up

The UK is preparing to make the biggest readjustment to its relationship with the European Union since Brexit. This aims to strengthen cooperation on trade and defense in order to revive the British economy and reinforce security on the continent.

May 19, 2025 at 04:47 pm

In Europe, defense is rebounding on the back of German budget promises

Proactive statements by German political leaders regarding their country's military spending have revived a defense sector that was emerging from three declines in four sessions in Europe.

May 15, 2025 at 05:41 pm

Republicans divided over Trump's tax plan

The Republican majority in the House of Representatives began debating Donald Trump's tax plan on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, although internal tensions threaten its adoption. The plan aims to extend the tax cuts of the first term, at an estimated cost of $3.72 trillion over ten years, in addition to increasing military and security spending.

May 13, 2025 at 10:34 pm

Venezuelan oil disguised as Brazilian crude to circumvent US sanctions

Traders have quietly re-designated over $1bn worth of Venezuelan oil shipments bound for China as Brazilian over the past year, according to two maritime tracking companies, internal documents, and four industry sources. This scheme allows these players to avoid US sanctions while reducing logistics costs.

May 12, 2025 at 04:57 pm

Qatar ready to offer Trump a 747

The Trump administration plans to accept a Boeing 747-8 donated by the Qatari royal family, which would be used as a temporary presidential aircraft, according to a source close to the matter. This exceptional gift, worth around $400m, would then be donated to Trump's presidential library at the end of his term.

May 12, 2025 at 04:49 pm

LVMH: Alexandre takes the lead amongst the Arnaults

Alexandre Arnault, one of Bernard Arnault's five children, has been given a high-risk mission: to revive Moët Hennessy, LVMH's worst-performing division, amid a tense trade war and declining sales. This is a daunting challenge for the 33-year-old son of the luxury goods magnate, and one that could well weigh heavily in the race to succeed him at the helm of the $280bn giant.

May 12, 2025 at 03:54 pm

Puma shows its claws (a little)

The sports brand Puma announced a decline in its profit margin in the first quarter, while sales remained virtually stable. The company is continuing its cost-cutting efforts to try to improve its performance in a challenging business environment.

May 08, 2025 at 05:28 pm