Business news summaries — Page 9
Essential facts and source links for recent business stories.
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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. -
Four engineering firms sign nonbinding BWRX-300 pact for Europe
GE Vernova, Hitachi, Samsung C&T and Poland-based SGE signed a memorandum to cooperate on market development and commercial opportunities for the BWRX-300 small modular reactor in Europe. The nonbinding pact sets no firm project commitments. -
2027 Social Security COLA announcement expected on Oct. 14
The Social Security Administration is expected to announce the 2027 cost-of-living adjustment on Oct. 14, when September’s CPI is released. Current estimates put the increase at 3.5% to 3.6%. The Motley Fool cautions that it may still fall short of retirees’ rising costs. -
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. -
China’s share of global container exports hits a record 40%
China’s share of global container exports hit a record 40% on a rolling three-month basis, up 2.5% in nine months, the EU Chamber of Commerce in China’s president said. One tariff economist said the rise may reflect rerouting, not a larger share of global trade. -
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. -
FreshRealm bankruptcy disrupts Blue Apron and Marley Spoon orders
Blue Apron and Marley Spoon customers report missing ingredients, incomplete boxes and missed deliveries during the supplier transition. Misfits Market says inventory counts reported in FreshRealm’s bankruptcy were wrong, leaving it scrambling for ingredients. -
Gen Z’s full-time pay topped millennials’, but its employment-population ratio lagged, report finds
A Zety report comparing early-career cohorts found Gen Z had lower unemployment but a lower employment-population ratio than millennials, averaging 65.8% versus 67.9%. Full-time Gen Z workers’ median inflation-adjusted weekly earnings were $756, $82 higher than millennials’. -
John Divine eyes VIX and natural gas as U.S. oil reserve hits lowest since 1983
The U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve stands at 285 million barrels, its lowest level since 1983. Analyst John Divine says Washington has little room to curb oil prices; he sees a sustained VIX above $21-$23 as a stock-risk signal and natural gas as a possible hedge. -
Walmart plans seven new Canadian Supercentres for 2026–27
Walmart plans seven new Supercentres in Canada between 2026 and 2027, in Hamilton, Fort McMurray, Tsuut'ina Nation, Sherbrooke, Edmonton, Ottawa and Brampton. The openings are part of Walmart Canada's broader $6.5 billion investment in its stores and supply chain. -
El-Sayed puts Trump’s ‘I did that’ stickers on pumps as Michigan gas hits $4.93
Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed put Trump’s “I did that” stickers on gas pumps Tuesday as former Vice President Kamala Harris campaigned with him. He blamed Trump and Washington Republicans for prices AAA said had reached $4.93 a gallon. -
Target’s optional employee apparel line comes at workers’ expense
Target introduced Collection186, an expanded red-themed apparel line for store employees, but it is optional and workers must pay if they buy it. Target says it offers more wardrobe choices; staff may instead wear other clothes that meet the dress code.
