Growth

• Spain's economy grew by 0.6% in the first quarter of the year, according to confirmed GDP data. • The figures provide an official measure of the country's economic expansion during the start of the year. • This growth indicator is critical for assessing Spain's financial health and its performance relative to other Eurozone nations.

• European agentic and generative AI startups have raised a total of €20bn since 2024, with €8bn of that funding occurring in 2026 alone. • In a June 25, 2026 interview, industry leaders including Dr Ling Ge of Tencent and founders from Fyxer and Prior Labs discussed a strategic shift toward business durability over rapid growth. • This transition reflects a broader trend among AI founders to prioritize sustainable operations and long-term viability over the aggressive scaling typical of previous funding cycles.

• Meta Platforms (META) is experiencing significant top-line growth driven by the company's accelerating expansion into artificial intelligence. • Key technological drivers include the release of the Muse family of models and the deployment of an upgraded Meta AI assistant. • This strategic AI push is positioning the company for further financial upside by enhancing its product offerings and competitive edge.

• The death of former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan has reignited critical debates regarding interest rates, deregulation, and overall financial stability. • This shift in focus is prompting investors to re-evaluate the Federal Reserve's role in credit growth, labor power, and risk-taking within the financial sector. • The renewed scrutiny directly impacts US bank and insurance stocks, as different business models and balance sheets may now appear more appealing or exposed.

• India's Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are transitioning from basic digitalization to the deep integration of AI and digital payment systems like UPI. • This shift aims to enhance overall business productivity, foster greater financial inclusion, and accelerate economic growth across the sector. • The transition signals a move toward a more mature, technology-driven ecosystem, though it requires overcoming barriers in digital literacy and AI readiness.

• Chinese Premier Li Qiang defended China's rapid technological growth during a statement on Wednesday, framing the advancements as a global opportunity rather than a threat. • The remarks address ongoing international tensions and security concerns regarding China's expanding influence in the global tech sector. • This positioning aims to counter narratives from Western nations that view China's tech rise as a strategic or economic risk.

• Iran's economy nearly stagnated in 2025, recording a marginal growth rate of only 0.2% while non-oil GDP experienced a contraction. • The slowdown is attributed to a series of conflicts, including a 12-day war with Israel in the summer and a 40-day conflict involving the U.S. and Israel in the winter, alongside January's nationwide protests. • Long-term structural crises, including severe international sanctions, chronic corruption, mismanagement, and declining investment, have further crippled economic activity.

• President Lee Jae Myung is set to introduce a comprehensive regional growth strategy next week aimed at fostering balanced development across the country. • The blueprint will prioritize the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductor industries, leveraging collaborations between the government and the private sector. • This initiative matters as it seeks to decentralize economic power and stimulate technological innovation outside of major urban hubs.

Energy secretary expected to argue that UK clean economy is booming as private sector pledges over £100bn of investmentEd Miliband is to say that the UK must stick to net zero targets to deliver jobs and growth, as speculation surrounds the energy secretary’s role under a new prime minister.He will make the speech as data shows more than £100bn in green investment has been pledged by private sector companies in this parliament. Continue reading...

• India has evolved from a history of colonial exploitation to become the world's fifth-largest economy, driven largely by the pivotal economic reforms initiated in 1991. • While the nation has made significant strides in poverty reduction and overall GDP growth, it continues to struggle with persistent income inequality and modest per capita income. • This economic trajectory is critical as India seeks to balance rapid industrial expansion with inclusive growth to improve the living standards of its vast population.

Guardian investigation also finds same areas experienced relative decline over same periodLeave-voting areas have seen faster relative growth in foreign workers since the Brexit referendum, a Guardian investigation has found.Data analysis suggests that the decade since the Brexit vote may not have matched the expectations of many Leave supporters, showing their local areas have also become relatively more deprived over the same period. Continue reading...

• JPMorgan Chase has reclaimed the top spot on LinkedIn's 2026 list of the top 10 U.S. companies for career growth, overtaking last year's leader, Alphabet. • Microsoft debuted at No. 3, while Alphabet, Amazon, and Apple maintain their streak of appearing on every ranking since the list's inception in 2016. • All 50 companies featured on the list are currently hiring, though opportunities are concentrated among a small group of the largest U.S. employers.

As datacenters’ connections to electric grids are held up, big tech is forced to throw money at producing its own powerDatacenters are driving unprecedented growth in the US clean energy industry, paradoxically boosting a sector that was sputtering before the artificial intelligence boom even as AI’s rollout creates immense environmental challenges.However, observers caution that while the centers are propelling wind, solar, and other clean energy companies, datacenters remain a climate nightmare. Continue reading...

• A new annual survey by Lloyds reveals that finance leaders have increased confidence in long-term growth, identifying Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) as the primary drivers. • The report highlights that AI and ML are expected to fundamentally reshape the delivery and operation of financial services. • This shift matters as the industry pivots toward automation and data-driven decision-making to maintain a competitive edge and scale operations.

• Streaming executives from Netflix, Prime Video, Disney, and Warner Bros. Discovery highlighted the importance of Asian IP, local storytelling, and fan communities for global growth during the APOS 2026 conference in Bali. • Disney is leveraging strategic partnerships to expand, specifically citing its collaboration with Hulu Japan and the distribution of ESPN via Disney+ in Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Japan. • Warner Bros. Discovery executive James Gibbons emphasized that established franchises like "Harry Potter" drive significant value by tapping into powerful fan bases, particularly in China and Japan.

UK’s biggest retailer reports better figures than expected by City analysts and is cheered by strong online salesBusiness live – latest updatesTesco’s UK sales growth has more than halved as it said the conflict in the Middle East had created “ongoing uncertainty for many households”.The UK’s biggest retailer said comparable sales rose 1.8% in the three months to the end of May, well below the 4.2% reported in the previous quarter. Continue reading...

• The European technology sector is experiencing growth, highlighted by Engineering's decision to sell two of its business units to Accenture. • This strategic acquisition is designed to reinforce and accelerate digital transformation efforts across the European continent. • The move underscores a broader trend of consolidation and scaling within the region's tech industry to meet increasing demand for digital services.

• China is demonstrating economic resilience supported by a solid foundation and the emergence of new growth drivers. • Recent data indicates a slowdown in certain economic indicators since the second quarter, reflecting domestic structural adjustment pressures. • Many Chinese enterprises are currently facing operational difficulties attributed to an increasingly complex international environment.

• India has emerged as a global leader in AI-driven marketing, with Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) projecting the highest AI-led revenue growth worldwide. • According to a new Boston Consulting Group (BCG) report, Indian marketing leaders are prioritizing the adoption of Generative AI, personalization, and agentic commerce. • This shift matters as it transforms how brands engage customers and manage digital commerce through more autonomous, AI-driven interactions.

Majority say Muslims are as British as white non-Muslims, but hostile attitudes at risk of being normalised, says thinktankOne in six Britons believe the growth of the Muslim population “poses a foundational threat to UK culture”, with hostile attitudes towards Muslims at risk of being normalised, a study has found.The study by the social integration thinktank British Future and the British Muslim Trust – the government’s official partner in monitoring Islamophobia – found that most Muslims (73%) think the UK is a good place to be Muslim, and that a majority of Britons believe Muslims are as British as white non-Muslims. Continue reading...

• A new report reveals that India's labour productivity gap with China has widened significantly since 2000, despite the country's strong overall GDP growth. • India has failed to achieve the industry-led productivity transformation seen in peer nations like China and South Korea due to structural constraints and pandemic-related disruptions. • This gap matters because it indicates that India's economic growth is not yet driven by a high-efficiency manufacturing leap, limiting its global competitiveness.

GDP hit by higher energy prices caused by Middle East conflict, after 3% rise in MarchThe UK economy contracted by 0.1% in April as the Iran war began to take its toll on growth, official figures show.As energy prices have risen as a result of the conflict, after Iran closed off the strait of Hormuz – a key shipping route for global trade – the UK’s strong expansion in the first quarter had been expected to slide into reverse. Continue reading...

• On June 11, the World Bank lowered its global growth forecast for 2026 to 2.5%, the lowest projection since the 2019 COVID-19 pandemic. • The downgrade is primarily driven by the war in the Middle East, which has severely impacted energy exports for countries like Iraq and the United Arab Emirates. • The bank warns that growth could plummet further to 1.3% if energy supply disruptions worsen and trigger substantial stress in global financial markets.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that India remains on a steady growth trajectory despite prevailing global economic uncertainty. • The PM highlighted youth empowerment and women-led development as the primary cornerstones for achieving the vision of "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India). • This focus on inclusive growth is intended to ensure a prosperous future by leveraging the potential of India's diverse demographic.

• General Atlantic Co-President Martin Escobari discussed India's economic trajectory during a conversation with Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath on June 11, 2026. • Escobari, representing a firm that has invested over $5 billion in India, urged the nation to be patient and avoid simply replicating China's development model. • He emphasized that India must develop a unique growth strategy tailored to its own specific strengths and systemic complexities to ensure sustainable success.

• Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) appear to be entering an economic cycle characterized by low growth and higher inflation. • Growth forecasts have been adjusted downward for several countries, specifically Czechia, Croatia, Poland, and Romania. • Conversely, the latest CEE Outlook reports positive revisions for the 2026 GDP forecasts of Hungary, Serbia, and Slovenia.

• Deloitte released a new M&A Pulse Survey featuring insights from 500 corporate and private equity (PE) leaders regarding current market trends. • The findings reveal a sense of "cautious optimism" for deal activity leading into 2026, with leaders emphasizing a more disciplined approach to acquisitions. • Cross-border acquisitions are highlighted as a primary strategic path for growth as dealmakers seek new opportunities.

UK lagging behind rivals on tourism growth because of travel costs and lack of joined-up planning, says CEO Sean DoyleThe cost of travel to and around the UK is keeping millions of tourists away and slowing economic growth, the boss of British Airways said, as he urged a rethink of aviation taxes.The airline’s chief executive, Sean Doyle, said the UK had some of the highest aviation taxes in the world and was falling behind countries such as Japan, France and Germany in boosting its inbound tourism. Continue reading...