Business news summaries — Page 2
Essential facts and source links for recent business stories.
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Fed hopes anchored expectations can cool inflation without hurting jobs
After its first rate hike in three years on Sept. 16, the Federal Reserve is betting that anchored inflation expectations can slow price increases without raising unemployment. PCE inflation is 3.7%; officials project it will remain above the 2% target until 2029. -
Norway’s central bank lifts rate to 4.5%, leaves door open to another hike
Norway’s central bank raised its policy rate by 0.25 percentage points to 4.50% on Thursday and said another hike is possible if the inflation outlook warrants it. Core consumer prices rose 3% year-on-year in August, above the bank’s roughly 2% target. -
Royal Caribbean agrees to buy half of Sandals and Beaches for about $3 billion
Royal Caribbean Group agreed to invest about $3 billion for a 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches Resorts, forming a joint venture with the Stewart family, which will retain the other half. The deal is expected to close in early 2027, subject to regulatory approvals. -
MindyKnows’ unlimited Washington University package costs $525 a year
MindyKnows offers college students local, parent-like help when families live far away, from prescription pickups and support during illness to company during ER visits. Its unlimited Washington University package costs $525 a year. -
Newly licensed 21-year-old says family policy quote would add $7,200
On Reddit, a newly licensed 21-year-old said adding her to her mother's policy was quoted at over $1,000 extra monthly. She put the increase at $7,200—about 50% more for a household already insuring three people—and said the insurer called it a six-month charge. -
Oskar Flodstrom’s $50 pill-bottle table experiment led to $253,000 in 90-day gross sales
Oskar Flodstrom, 23, turned a $50 Facebook Marketplace experiment into a $225 pill-bottle table that generated $150,000 in gross sales in two weeks. In his interview, he said hundreds of orders were stuck in customs, with about $80,000 of Shopify funds unavailable. -
McManis lists winery and vineyard portfolio spanning 3,500 acres for nearly $78 million
McManis Family Vineyards has listed its winery and 10 vineyards, covering 3,500 acres, for just under $78 million. The US-Canada trade war was one factor behind the sale; Canadian bans cost the US wine industry $357 million in 2025, the Wine Institute says. -
Lombardelli says persistent energy costs may require BoE rate rises
Bank of England Deputy Governor Clare Lombardelli said rates are increasingly likely to need to rise if energy prices stay high, unless there is clear evidence of disinflation or weaker activity. She joined the 6-3 majority that kept Bank Rate at 3.75% last week. -
Another US rate hike may be needed before year-end, Williams says
New York Fed President John Williams said a further U.S. rate increase before the end of 2026 is a reasonable possibility to curb inflation risks, but said officials will assess incoming data before acting. The Fed raised its policy rate last week to 3.75%-4.00%. -
After the Fed's unanimous hike, Warsh's 'dose' phrase fuels talk of more increases
In a unanimous 12-0 September vote, the Fed raised its target rate 25 basis points to 3.75%-4.00%. Chair Kevin Warsh repeated “removed a dose of accommodation” three times; The Motley Fool sees it as a hint of further hikes if inflation fails to cool fast enough. -
German growth outlook raised to 1.3% for 2026 and 1.1% for 2027
Five German economic institutes raised growth forecasts to 1.3% in 2026, from 0.6%, and 1.1% in 2027, from 0.9%, after stronger-than-expected first-half performance. They said the recovery remains modest, with high energy prices and structural problems weighing on activity. -
Brent tops $103 as oil gains continue amid US-Iran deadlock
Oil prices rose 0.4% Thursday after a 4% gain in the prior session, as US-Iran talks showed no concrete progress. At 0630 GMT, Brent was $103.51 a barrel and WTI $92.51; Tehran was reviewing Washington’s response to its peace proposals, an Iranian official said. -
U.S. reliance on China for rare earths will persist well into the 2030s
U.S. dependence on China for rare earths will last well into the 2030s despite growing domestic output. Output of its two most-used types has more than tripled but meets only 42% of demand. Trump and Xi may discuss extending China’s delay of rare-earth export restrictions on aال? -
Five Americans describe how grocery bills are changing their diets
Five Americans told The Guardian they’re buying less beef and fewer snacks, using more leftovers and frozen produce, and eating out less as grocery costs rise. Erin Hutchins said losing $200 a month in SNAP benefits left her limiting food. -
Sakurai forecasts BOJ hikes every three months, reaching 2% by June 2027
Former Bank of Japan board member Makoto Sakurai expects the BOJ to raise its 1.25% policy rate about every three months, reaching 1.5% by year-end and 2% around June 2027; he says consumer inflation may exceed 3% by year-end or early 2027. -
South Africa's 150% tax break may not secure future vehicle production
South Africa's 150% tax deduction for electric and hydrogen vehicle production starts in March 2026, but executives warn it may not secure future investment amid competition from Asia and concerns over costs, power reliability and policy certainty. -
Hungary’s inflation-target cut strengthens euro-linked bond appeal
Hungary’s central bank cut its inflation target to 2.5% from 3%, effective in 2028, saying the move supports euro-adoption requirements. The decision has strengthened investor demand for Hungarian bonds as the new government pursues euro membership. -
Ferrero plans November relaunch of Wonka brand with four new sweets
Ferrero North America says it will relaunch the Wonka candy brand with four limited-edition sweets in November. A Netflix tie-in offers fans a chance to win a Golden Ticket and a trip for four to Netflix House in Las Vegas, due to open in 2027. -
Vanguard’s VNQ has broader holdings and a higher yield than XLRE
The Motley Fool’s comparison favors Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) for breadth and yield: it has 139 holdings and a 3.7% trailing yield, versus State Street’s XLRE, with 30 stocks and 3.3%. XLRE charges 0.08% versus VNQ’s 0.13%; five-year returns were similar. -
Australia adds jobs as unemployment reaches a five-year high of 4.6%
Australia added 39,500 jobs in August, above forecasts, but unemployment rose to 4.6%, its highest since late 2021, as more people entered the labour force looking for work. Market bets on a Reserve Bank rate rise next week were little changed. -
Belgian safety group reports Tesla FSD speeding and prohibited cyclist-pass attempts
Belgian safety group Johanna.be says Tesla’s Full Self-Driving exceeded speed limits in most 30 km/h zones tested around Brussels, averaging 44 km/h; videos reportedly showed attempts to pass cyclists on streets where overtaking is prohibited. -
Fourth Mexico-U.S. trade-talk round delayed, with October a possibility
Mexico’s fourth round of trade talks with the United States will not happen next week and may be held in October, deputy economy minister Luis Rosendo Gutierrez said, citing scheduling conflicts including Chinese President Xi Jinping’s U.S. visit and the G20 summit. -
Tesla shows 16-stall Accordion Supercharger designed to cut installation costs by 20%
Tesla has shown its first Accordion Supercharger, a preassembled 16-stall unit shipped on one truck and designed for 20% lower installation costs and commissioning without a technician. It could help address slower network growth as BYD expands fast charging in China. -
Lashing rods and twist locks help secure cargo ship containers
Cargo ships secure containers with lashing rods and twist locks; heavier boxes generally sit lower, while turnbuckles and braces stabilize stacks. Containers can still fall overboard despite these precautions, and hatch covers protect cargo in the hold. -
Reza Satchu argues judgment is key for investors in the AI era
Harvard lecturer and entrepreneur Reza Satchu says investors should weigh leaders’ judgment as AI makes data and analysis easier to replicate. On a Motley Fool podcast, he said judgment can be developed through consequential decisions and calibrated risk. -
Hoplark files for Chapter 7 liquidation; 2025 revenue was about $630,000
Hoplark Inc., parent of the alcohol-free beverage brand, filed for Chapter 7 liquidation in Colorado on Aug. 28. Its filing reported 2025 revenue of about $630,000, down from $9.3 million in 2024, and suggested it may sue Brooklyn Brewery. -
Sugar Factory closes at least five U.S. restaurants, leaving Illinois and Michigan without locations
Sugar Factory has permanently closed at least five U.S. restaurants since early 2026, in Miami, Chicago, Rosemont, Jacksonville and Detroit. The closures leave Illinois and Michigan without a location; reasons varied by site, with some not publicly disclosed.
