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Day: 19 January 2026

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Euro-Zone Business Activity Holds Steady in January as Services Growth Moderates

Euro-zone business activity remains in expansion at the start of 2026 as composite PMI indicators stay above growth thresholds, even while services momentum cools slightly and manufacturing remains mixed.

UK Financial Sector Vacancies Rise as AI Skills Move Centre Stage

UK financial firms are increasing hiring for artificial intelligence and technology roles as digital transformation reshapes the sector. Rising demand for AI skills highlights how finance jobs are evolving while traditional roles continue to decline.

European Equities Rally Early in 2026 as Inflation Cools and Growth Holds Steady

European stock markets opened 2026 on a strong footing as easing inflation and resilient growth lifted investor confidence. While early gains pushed major indices higher, markets remain alert to uneven sector performance and lingering economic risks.

Accenture’s £900m Bet on UK AI Signals Growing Confidence in British Tech

Accenture’s acquisition of UK artificial intelligence firm Faculty highlights growing confidence in Britain’s AI sector. The deal underlines the UK’s role in decision-intelligence development and strengthens Europe’s position in global AI innovation.

UK Economic Growth Stalls at 0.1% as 2025 Slowdown Persists

UK economic growth remained extremely weak in late 2025, with official data showing GDP expanded by just 0.1% in the third quarter. Revised figures confirm a prolonged slowdown as the year drew to a close.

OpenAI Taps Former UK Chancellor Osborne to Lead Global AI Expansion

OpenAI appoints former UK Chancellor George Osborne to lead its international AI infrastructure push under the Stargate initiative, underscoring how major players are reinforcing global AI partnerships and ecosystem development.

Euro Zone Business Activity Accelerates as Services Power Ahead and Manufacturing Adapts

Euro-zone business activity hits its strongest pace in over two years as services surge, highlighting how innovation and technology-driven sectors are reshaping Europe’s economic momentum despite manufacturing headwinds.

European Tech Talents and Startups Get Recognition in Deloitte Fast 50 Rankings

Estonia strengthens its position as a European innovation hotspot as its startups secure top placements in the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 list. The results highlight the growing depth of Europe’s tech ecosystems and the rise of fast-scaling companies outside major capital cities.

OECD Optimistic on UK Growth 2026 — But Inflation & Public Debt Still Loom

The OECD lifts its growth forecast for the UK in 2026, providing cautious encouragement for investors, while stubborn inflation and elevated public debt continue to shape the country’s economic outlook.

AI Infrastructure Builds Momentum in the UK Amid Worldwide Surge in Tech Funding

UK tech markets saw renewed attention at the end of November as a new AI-ready data centre launched in Chertsey and global tech giants tapped bond markets to fund cloud and AI expansion. Verified reports show rising investment in infrastructure while UK equities reacted cautiously to shifting sentiment.

UK Stocks End November on Mixed Note as Miners & Banks Shine Briefly

UK equities ended November with a mixed bag as the FTSE 100 snapped a four-month streak amid mixed sector performance. A jump in miner and bank shares mid-week offered a brief lift, but the rebound was not enough to reverse a cautious month for markets.

European Stocks Hit Record High as Risk Appetite Returns to Markets

European shares climbed to new highs at the end of October, lifted by improving inflation sentiment, stronger earnings expectations, and renewed appetite for risk assets. The rally highlights a cautiously optimistic shift in market mood as investors prepare for the final quarter of 2025.

European SMEs Go All-In on AI… Without the Tech Foundation to Actually Use It

A new study reveals European small businesses are adopting artificial intelligence faster than they’re building the basic digital systems needed to support it. The result is ambition racing ahead of readiness — and a rising risk of expensive tech that sits in the corner doing nothing.

Big Banks Finally Like Europe Again: Deutsche Bank Upgrades Regional Stocks

Deutsche Bank has shifted its rating on European equities to “overweight” and forecasts around 15% upside for the STOXX 600 by the end of 2026. The move signals growing confidence that Europe’s corporate earnings recovery is real — not just an optimistic rumour.

UK Inflation Expectations Climb to 4.2% as Households Brace for Higher Costs

UK households now expect inflation to average around 4.2% over the next year, the highest reading since April. The rise in inflation expectations adds pressure on the cost-of-living outlook and complicates the monetary policy path for the Bank of England.

COMPASS-AI & Industrial AI Funding

The European Commission has launched COMPASS-AI, a €1.1 billion initiative designed to accelerate industrial artificial intelligence across sectors such as energy, healthcare, mobility, and manufacturing. The strategy supports Europe’s technology sovereignty and aims to scale commercially viable AI deployments.

Euro Zone Business Activity Surges, Signalling Fourth-Quarter Momentum

Euro-zone business activity climbed more than expected in October, with the composite PMI hitting a 17-month high. Rising new orders point to renewed economic momentum heading into the final quarter of the year.

AI Investment Boom Sends Ripples Through Europe’s Currencies

A surge in artificial intelligence investment is reshaping Europe’s financial landscape. With the Swedish krona and British pound showing surprising resilience, AI is now influencing currencies as much as it fuels innovation.

Europe Needs a Reform Down-Payment to Raise Growth, Says IMF

The IMF has urged Europe to implement key reforms now to boost growth and competitiveness. With EU GDP forecast to rise only modestly to 1.5% in 2026, the focus turns to labour mobility, harmonised bankruptcy laws, and unlocking long-term investment across the bloc.

EU Rolls Out €1.1B Plan to Boost AI in Industry, Push for Tech Sovereignty

The European Commission has announced a €1.1 billion plan to accelerate AI adoption across major industries. The initiative aims to strengthen Europe’s technological independence and boost innovation in sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, and energy.

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