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CEO’s pay packet surges to £791,000 as union says public ‘sick of obscene pay’ and bosses ‘feathering own nests’Wessex Water awarded its chief executive an above-inflation pay increase even as the company was banned from paying bonuses because of sewage spills, it has emerged.Ruth Jefferson received a 14% base salary increase in October, from £590,000 to £670,000, before other benefits, according to accounts published this month. It was far above the 3.5% given to workers, and put her pay at 18 times that of the company’s median employee. Continue reading...

From Lily Collins at Wimbledon to cast of Love Island, heels-averse cohort is stepping it up a notchGen Z, the flats-only generation, has finally succumbed to the heel – albeit a tiny one. Long vocally anti-heel, the cohort who were born between 1997 and 2012 have famously shunned millennials’ obsession with Jimmy Choos in favour of pancake-flat shoes, from the “It-trainer”, Adidas Sambas, to split-toe Margiela Tabi’s and so-called “French girl ballet flats”.But they now appear to be embracing a potential gateway heel, typically measuring in the region of 1.5in or the height of a triple-A battery. Continue reading...

• Major U.S. stock indexes rose today, with the S&P 500 hitting a one-month high and gaining 0.23%, while the Dow Jones and Nasdaq 100 climbed 0.26% and 0.31% respectively. • Market gains were driven by favorable economic data showing June producer prices rose less than expected and a stronger-than-anticipated July Empire manufacturing survey. • Technology stocks provided additional support following strong earnings from ASML, signaling continued high demand for chips essential to global AI infrastructure.

• Major U.S. stock indices showed mixed results today, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising 0.35% and the S&P 500 up 0.15%, while the Nasdaq 100 fell 0.64% due to chipmaker weakness. • Karman Holdings (KRMN) shares surged over 9% following an announcement from S&P Dow Jones Indices regarding a change in index composition. • The company is set to replace BrightSpring Health Services in the S&P SmallCap 600, a move that often increases investor demand and liquidity for the entering stock.

• The Indian stock market closed with mixed results, as the BSE Sensex ended 100 points higher while the NSE Nifty50 remained flat. • Market volatility was driven by a combination of geopolitical developments, macroeconomic trends, crude oil fluctuations, and foreign institutional investor activity. • Despite the Sensex gain, broader markets and several sectoral indices declined, signaling widespread caution among investors.

• US stocks closed higher as investor sentiment was boosted by softer producer inflation data and strong early Q2 earnings reports. • Key financial firms BlackRock and Morgan Stanley beat earnings estimates, while PayPal saw a significant surge following reports of a buyout offer. • The gains were driven by easing expectations for future interest rate hikes and solid bank results, which offset weakness in the semiconductor sector.

• Asian stock markets rose on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, following a positive rally on Wall Street. • The surge was triggered by new U.S. economic data indicating that inflation last month was lower than economists had previously anticipated. • This trend is significant as cooling inflation in the U.S. often signals potential shifts in monetary policy, boosting investor confidence globally.

• Stock markets climbed following reports that June inflation cooled, signaling a potential slowdown in price increases. • JPMorgan Chase reported a record quarterly profit of $21.2 billion, driven by a surge in trading activity and corporate dealmaking. • These combined factors suggest a resilient financial sector and a possible shift in macroeconomic conditions that could benefit investors.

• US stocks advanced on Tuesday following the release of consumer price data showing a decline in inflation. • The softer inflation figures are significant as they reduce the immediate pressure on the Federal Reserve to implement further interest rate hikes. • Despite the general market rise, IBM shares plummeted 25% after the company reported preliminary quarterly sales that fell short of analyst expectations.

• Global stock markets rallied, with the Nasdaq rising 0.90%, the KOSPI jumping 7%, and the FTSE 100 gaining 0.30% following cooler U.S. inflation data. • The rally was driven by reduced fears of Federal Reserve rate hikes and expectations for further economic support due to soft domestic demand. • Regional gains included India's Nifty 50 (+0.57% to 24,188.50) and the BSE Sensex (+0.68% to 77,577.94), though Taiwan's benchmark fell 1.42% to 44,737.95.

• Spain's EU-harmonised 12-month inflation rate remained steady at 3.6% in June 2024. • According to statistics from the National Statistics Institute (INE), the figure aligned with both previous data and market forecasts. • This stability provides a key indicator of price trends within the Eurozone, influencing broader economic assessments of the region.

• The European Central Bank (ECB) is monitoring the conflict involving Iran to assess potential indirect price pressures and inflation risks. • Despite current geopolitical tensions and global uncertainty, policymakers report that the eurozone economy has remained resilient. • The ECB currently sees no immediate inflation fallout, but continues to track the situation to determine if market volatility will impact price stability.

• Fed Chairman Kevin M. Warsh testified before Congress on Tuesday regarding the economic threats posed by rising energy prices. • The testimony follows new data showing the Consumer Price Index slowed to an annual inflation rate of 3.5 percent in June. • Warsh advocated for a shift toward private-sector data and new technologies to gain a real-time understanding of the economy.

• Asian stock markets rose on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, following a surprise slowdown in the U.S. inflation rate. • South Korea's chipmaker-heavy KOSPI surged 6% in early trade, while Japan's Nikkei rose 0.4% and the MSCI Asia-Pacific index (excluding Japan) climbed 1.7%. • The gains reflect investor optimism that cooling U.S. inflation may lead to more favorable monetary policies, boosting global equity sentiment.

• Asian markets rose on Wednesday, led by a 6% surge in South Korea’s KOSPI and a 1.7% increase in the MSCI Asia-Pacific index (excluding Japan). • The rally followed a surprise 0.4% decline in the US consumer price index for June, the first drop since the pandemic, which reduced expectations for further interest rate hikes. • Positive momentum was further supported by strong Wall Street bank earnings and the US decision to scrap shipping levies in the Strait of Hormuz.

• Wall Street stocks remained steady following a report indicating that U.S. inflation for last month was lower than economists had initially anticipated. • IBM shares experienced a significant plunge, while the ASX is positioned for a rise in upcoming trading. • Investors are shifting focus toward the start of the quarterly earnings season, with companies reporting profits from April through June.

• Former central banker Kevin Warsh testified before the House Financial Services Committee on Tuesday, stating that recent improvements in inflation do not signify "mission accomplished." • Warsh is leading an initiative supported by academics and business leaders, including former Walmart CEO Doug McMillon and Microsoft Xbox CEO Asha Sharma. • The goal of this effort is to provide the Federal Reserve with better tools and data to refine monetary policy and permanently eliminate high inflation.

• Wall Street indices rose as investors reacted positively to softer inflation data and strong bank earnings, helping the Nasdaq recover from a previous 1.6% decline. • The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) surged 3.1%, signaling a stabilization in chip stocks, though IBM experienced a significant plunge. • Geopolitical instability persists as the U.S. and Iran exchanged attacks in the Gulf, driving oil futures to their highest levels in four weeks.

• The S&P 500 rose 0.37% to 7,542.79 on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, driven by a cooler-than-expected June Consumer Price Index (CPI) report. • Market gains were supported by resilient second-quarter profits from major financial institutions, including JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bank of America. • Gains were tempered by volatility stemming from escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and a shift in tech spending toward AI hardware.

• The Dow Jones Industrial Average posted a slight gain amid volatile trading, as cooler inflation data helped offset losses from other sectors. • Market sentiment was weighed down by a slump in IBM and mixed bank earnings, while HCA Healthcare and Virtu Financial saw significant drops of over 9% and 6%, respectively. • The session highlighted a sharp divergence between individual stocks, reflecting investor uncertainty tied to rising Middle East tensions and economic indicators.

• US stock futures for the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq indicated a mixed opening on Tuesday, July 14. • Investors are closely monitoring the market amid elevated oil prices and the release of quarterly banking earnings. • The primary focus for traders is the upcoming release of US inflation data, which will likely influence future monetary policy.

• US stocks rose following a report indicating that inflation last month was lower than economists had initially projected. • Major financial institutions, including JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bank of America, reported quarterly profits that exceeded analyst expectations. • Investors are now shifting focus to the broader earnings season for the April-June period to see if company growth justifies current record-high stock prices.

• Wells Fargo reported strong Q2 earnings, prompting the bank to plan an 11% dividend increase and $3 billion in stock repurchases. • CEO Charlie Scharf noted that American consumer spending remains robust despite ongoing inflation concerns, though the bank is pursuing a measured growth strategy to withstand future market volatility. • The company reaffirmed its 2026 outlook, projecting net interest income of approximately $48 billion (excluding Markets) and $2 billion from Markets.

• The Nasdaq and S&P 500 rose on July 14, 2026, following the release of consumer price index data showing inflation cooled more than analysts expected. • While the broader market climbed, IBM shares tumbled after the company reported a quarterly miss in its financial results. • Kevin Warsh is scheduled to testify before the House Financial Services Committee on Tuesday and the Senate Banking Committee on Wednesday.

Recent strikes have sent oil prices climbing again, with average gas price per gallon up by 70 cents on last yearInflation cooled to an annual rate of 3.5% in June as the brief US-Iran ceasefire, which has since ended, brought energy prices down, according to new data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.The consumer price index (CPI), which measures a basket of goods and services, has been elevated since the start of the war, largely because of higher energy prices. After mostly staying under 3% since mid-2024, CPI reached a three-year high of 4.2% in May – up from 2.4% in February. Stripping out volatile energy and food prices, core inflation decreased slightly to 2.6%. Continue reading...

• The USD/KRW currency pair is currently trading at ₩1,490, reflecting a 0.53% decrease as the U.S. Dollar faces persistent downside momentum. • Technical analysis indicates a flat pattern is holding, with critical support established at the ₩1,482 level. • This price action occurs amid broader market volatility, including mixed U.S. stock futures and concerns over an oil shock impacting CPI data.

• Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller stated that another high inflation reading would serve as a "signal" regarding the central bank's future policy direction. • Waller highlighted that the U.S. labor market remains resilient, citing persistently strong job reports and a stable unemployment rate. • These comments matter as the Fed balances the need to curb inflation without triggering a significant economic downturn or spike in unemployment.

• Asian stock markets extended their losses, with Singapore's Straits Times Index dropping 1% and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 slipping 0.5%. • The decline is driven by a surge in oil prices, which has intensified investor concerns regarding global inflation. • Market participants are now awaiting the release of U.S. consumer price index (CPI) data on Tuesday to gauge the Federal Reserve's future interest rate policy.