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The UK's competition watchdog, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), has expressed concerns about British families paying high prices for infant formula, with little pressure on manufacturers or retailers to keep costs down. French dairy group Danone SA and Swiss food giant Nestle SA dominate the UK formula market, with prices of branded formula rising by 24% and own-label formula by 45% from September 2021 to September 2023. The CMA also noted that parents, often stressed and lacking impartial information, face a confusing array of formula brands when choosing for their infants. The CMA plans to consult with the government and industry before making final recommendations early next year. [Extracted from the article]

Chinese appliance manufacturer Haier Smart Home Co. is reportedly attracting interest from investors such as Temasek Holdings Pte, GIC Pte, and Mubadala Investment Co. for its Indian business. The potential deal, valued at $4 billion to $5 billion, could involve selling a minority stake in Haier Appliances (India) Pvt. Haier has seen growth in its Indian sales, expanding its retail network and capturing over 20% market share. Discussions are in the early stages, and Haier may choose not to proceed with a sale. [Extracted from the article]

Lyft Inc. has announced partnerships with autonomous driving technology vendors, including Mobileye Global Inc. and May Mobility, to offer driverless rides on its platform. These partnerships aim to expand Lyft's autonomous offerings and compete with larger rivals like Uber Technologies Inc. and Waymo LLC. While Lyft is focusing on autonomous partnerships after selling its self-driving research unit, the competition in the US market for driverless technology remains fierce. [Extracted from the article]

AstraZeneca Plc experienced a significant drop in share value, losing about 15 billion pounds ($19 billion) in market capitalization due to concerns surrounding a Chinese investigation into the UK drugmaker. The stock plummeted by as much as 8.9%, marking the sharpest intraday decline since December 2020 and reaching its lowest point since March. Traders attributed the losses to a report from Yicai, prompting Bloomberg to seek comment from AstraZeneca. [Extracted from the article]

NielsenIQ, a consumer intelligence firm, is considering an initial public offering that could value the company at around $10 billion. The company, backed by Advent International and KKR & Co., is in talks with potential advisers about a listing in 2025. NielsenIQ helps retailers and manufacturers understand consumer behavior and identify growth opportunities. The potential IPO comes amidst a rebound in IPOs and increased consumer confidence in the US. [Extracted from the article]

Nasdaq Private Market LLC has introduced a new pricing product called Tape D for private companies, aiming to provide investors with more transparency and information in the private market. The product utilizes a multi-factor algorithm to gather data from various sources, including historical trades and regulatory documents. As the number of public company listings in the US declines, private firms are increasingly seeking liquidity through private share trading, leading to a growing market for data on potential IPO candidates. This development reflects the changing landscape of corporate financing and the rise of unicorns in the market. [Extracted from the article]

Stellantis NV's third-quarter revenues dropped by 27% due to decreased shipments in major markets like Europe and North America. The company's net revenues of €33 billion missed analyst expectations of €35.9 billion. Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares is addressing challenges such as product recalls and market share decline in the US by implementing fixes and replacing executives. Despite strong demand for new models like the Citroën C3 and Peugeot 3008, the company faces product delays and pricing pressures in its home region. [Extracted from the article]

Bank of America Corp. has appointed Brian Weinstein as the head of its Europe, Middle East, and Africa markets business. Weinstein, who has been with the firm for 30 years, will be based in London and report to Jim DeMare and Bernie Mensah. The company is focusing on expanding its global markets business, with recent growth in revenue from trading activities. [Extracted from the article]

Toshiba aims to achieve a double-digit market share in the global power chip market by 2030, as it currently lags behind competitors. The company plans to potentially form an alliance to capture 30% of the industry, anticipating increased demand for power semiconductors in various electronic devices, including electric vehicles. Despite facing competition from Chinese manufacturers, Toshiba is seeking partnerships outside Japan to enhance its market presence and meet the growing demand for power-efficient chips in the future. [Extracted from the article]

Paytm's shares have rebounded following the Reserve Bank of India's crackdown earlier this year, with One 97 Communications Ltd. seeing a 12% increase in stock value. The National Payments Corporation of India's approval for Paytm to onboard new users has eased regulatory concerns and boosted business stability. Despite a decline in market share, the approval to acquire new users for its online payments business on the UPI is expected to drive growth for Paytm in India's competitive digital payments landscape. [Extracted from the article]

Paytm's shares are rebounding after receiving approval to onboard new users, following a previous decline due to regulatory issues. The National Payments Corporation of India's decision to allow Paytm to add new users to its unified payments interface has boosted investor confidence. Despite reporting a quarterly profit, Paytm's revenue has decreased, and its market share in the digital payments space has also declined. The approval to acquire new users is expected to help Paytm recover lost volume and accelerate growth in its gross merchandise value. [Extracted from the article]

Nokia is cutting almost 2,000 jobs in China as part of a larger cost-reduction program due to challenges in the telecom equipment market. The company's market share in China is less than 5%, and it faces tough competition from local rivals like Huawei and ZTE. Nokia has also announced job cuts in Europe and has already reduced costs by €500 million. The company's sales in the third quarter fell short of analyst estimates, indicating a slower-than-expected recovery. [Extracted from the article]

India's largest airline, IndiGo, has received approval from the country's markets regulator to launch a venture capital fund called IndiGo Ventures. The fund will invest in consumer firms in aviation and allied sectors, including travel, lifestyle, hospitality, and food and beverages. IndiGo aims to boost India's aviation and travel industry while benefiting the airline itself. The airline reported a net income of 27.3 billion rupees ($326 million) in the three months ended June 30. [Extracted from the article]

Tokyo Metro Co. has raised ¥348.6 billion ($2.3 billion) in its initial public offering (IPO), making it Japan's biggest listing in six years. The subway operator priced its shares at ¥1,200 apiece, at the top of the marketed range. The IPO has attracted significant attention from global investors, with both the international and domestic portions of the deal being covered. Tokyo Metro operates nine train lines and carries an average of 6.52 million passengers per day. The Japanese government currently owns 53.42% of the company, but this will be halved following the offering. [Extracted from the article]

Tokyo Metro Co. has raised ¥348.6 billion ($2.3 billion) in its initial public offering (IPO), making it Japan's biggest listing in six years. The subway operator priced its shares at ¥1,200 apiece, at the top of the marketed range. The IPO has attracted significant attention from global investors, with both the international and domestic portions of the deal being covered. Tokyo Metro operates nine train lines and carries an average of 6.52 million passengers per day. The Japanese government currently owns 53.42% of the company, but this will be halved following the offering. [Extracted from the article]

British Airways has been forced to cancel some long-haul flights due to issues with its Boeing 787 aircraft, which are affecting other parts of its fleet. The carrier has temporarily grounded some 787 aircraft due to unspecified engine problems. British Airways is experiencing delays in the delivery of engines and parts from Rolls-Royce, particularly for the Trent 1000 model that powers the 787 jets. The airline is working closely with Rolls-Royce to find a solution. Rolls-Royce acknowledges the limited availability of spares due to supply chain constraints. British Airways has been using standby Boeing 777 planes to avoid cancellations, but this has increased the need for maintenance and downtime. Rolls-Royce states that the issue extends beyond British Airways and highlights the ongoing shortage of components in the aviation industry. British Airways recently switched to General Electric to power its new 787 aircraft, reducing Rolls-Royce's market share. The Trent 1000 engine has previously faced technical issues, causing disruptions for other carriers. British Airways is currently upgrading its fleet but has been affected by delivery delays. The 777X, the next-generation 777 aircraft, is already five years behind schedule. [Extracted from the article]

British Airways has been forced to cancel some long-haul flights due to issues with its Boeing 787 aircraft, which are affecting other parts of its fleet. The carrier has temporarily grounded some 787 aircraft due to unspecified engine problems. British Airways is experiencing delays in the delivery of engines and parts from Rolls-Royce, particularly for the Trent 1000 model that powers the 787 jets. The airline is working closely with Rolls-Royce to find a solution. Rolls-Royce acknowledges the limited availability of spares due to supply chain constraints. British Airways has been using standby Boeing 777 planes to avoid cancellations, but this has increased the need for maintenance and downtime. Rolls-Royce states that the shortage of components is affecting the entire aviation industry. British Airways recently switched to General Electric to power its new 787 aircraft, reducing Rolls-Royce's market share. The Trent 1000 engine has had previous technical issues, causing disruptions for other carriers. British Airways is currently upgrading its fleet but has faced delivery delays. The 777X, the next-generation 777 aircraft, is already five years behind schedule. [Extracted from the article]

Fidelity Investments is launching a new desktop platform for active traders, offering faster processing speeds and a refreshed design. The platform, called Active Trader Pro, will be released as a beta version to some existing customers, with a waitlist available for additional sign-ups. Fidelity faces competition from brokerages such as Charles Schwab, Interactive Brokers, and Robinhood, as the retail trading industry becomes more competitive due to increasing consumer demand. This article provides an overview of Fidelity's new platform and the current landscape of the retail trading business. [Extracted from the article]

According to research company Kantar, grocery prices in the UK increased by 2% in the four weeks leading up to September 29. The largest increases were seen in chilled drinks and chocolate confectionery, which may be due to high cocoa prices resulting from poor harvests in West Africa. The Bank of England is currently considering how quickly to reduce interest rates, with Governor Andrew Bailey suggesting a "bit more aggressive" loosening of policy. Tesco, the largest supermarket in the UK, saw its market share increase to 28%, while Ocado experienced the fastest growth for the eighth consecutive month. [Extracted from the article]

Fidelity Investments is launching a new desktop platform for active traders, offering faster processing speeds and a refreshed design. The platform, called Active Trader Pro, will be released as a beta version to some existing customers, with a waitlist available for additional sign-ups. Fidelity faces competition from brokerages such as Charles Schwab, Interactive Brokers, and Robinhood, as the retail trading industry becomes more competitive due to increasing consumer demand for trading services. [Extracted from the article]

Fidelity Investments is launching an updated desktop platform for active traders, offering faster processing speeds and a refreshed design. The Active Trader Pro platform will be made available to some customers on Tuesday, with a waitlist for additional sign-ups on Reddit. Fidelity faces competition from brokerages such as Charles Schwab, Interactive Brokers, and Robinhood, as the retail trading industry becomes more competitive due to increasing consumer demand for trading services. [Extracted from the article]

According to research company Kantar, grocery prices in the UK increased by 2% in the four weeks leading up to September 29th, up from 1.7% the previous month. The rise in prices was primarily driven by increases in chilled drinks and chocolate confectionery, which may be attributed to high cocoa prices resulting from poor harvests in West Africa. The Bank of England is currently considering how quickly to reduce interest rates, with Governor Andrew Bailey suggesting a "bit more aggressive" loosening of policy. Tesco saw an increase in market share, while Ocado experienced the fastest growth among grocers for the eighth consecutive month. [Extracted from the article]

Binance, the largest cryptocurrency platform, has seen a decline in its market share, reaching its lowest level in four years. Its share of trading volume in the digital asset market dropped to 36.6% in September, down from 42.7% at the beginning of the year. Binance has been facing regulatory actions and increased scrutiny, resulting in a loss of market share since March 2023. Smaller competitors like Bybit, Bitget, and Crypto.com have gained share, potentially due to their comparable user experience, low trading fees, minimal slippage, and high market liquidity. [Extracted from the article]

Chinese AI chipmaker Cambricon Technologies Corp. saw a 20% increase in its stock price after Bloomberg News reported that Beijing was pressuring domestic companies to stop using Nvidia Corp. processors and instead use local alternatives. Chinese regulators have discouraged the purchase of Nvidia's H20 chips, which are used for AI development, in an effort to support domestic AI chipmakers and prepare for potential US restrictions. This move follows Beijing's previous campaign to promote self-sufficiency in critical technologies by encouraging local electric-vehicle makers to source supplies from local chipmakers. [Extracted from the article]

Toyota Motor Corp. experienced a decline in sales due to a decrease in demand in Japan and China, as well as production disruptions caused by domestic scandals and recalls. Global output, including subsidiaries Daihatsu Motor Co. and Hino Motors Ltd., dropped by 12.6% in August compared to the previous year. Sales in Japan fell over 9% as a result of regulatory scandals involving falsified vehicle safety certifications. While Toyota's hybrid gas-electric cars saw increased popularity, a global slump in new car sales and competition in China have impacted the company. Toyota has also scaled back its electrification goals due to a downturn in electric vehicle demand. [Extracted from the article]

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the US have reached a milestone of $10 trillion in assets, driven by investor inflows and market gains. This growth reflects the increasing popularity of ETFs, which offer liquidity and tax advantages compared to mutual funds. The ETF market is expected to continue expanding, with new launches and inflows, as issuers innovate to capture market share. This development has democratized investing by providing access to asset classes and strategies that were once limited to institutional investors. [Extracted from the article]

Oil prices have fallen for a second day due to reports that Saudi Arabia plans to increase output in December and that factions in Libya have reached an agreement that could lead to the return of some crude production. Saudi Arabia is reportedly willing to abandon its unofficial oil price target of $100 a barrel in order to regain market share. The potential increase in Saudi and Libyan production comes after crude prices recently hit their lowest level since 2021. The International Energy Agency has stated that global oil markets will be oversupplied next year, regardless of additional OPEC+ supplies. [Extracted from the article]

Oil prices have fallen for a second day due to reports that Saudi Arabia plans to increase output in December and that factions in Libya have reached an agreement that could lead to the return of some crude production. Brent crude dropped below $72 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate was near $68. Saudi Arabia is reportedly willing to abandon its unofficial oil price target of $100 a barrel in order to regain market share. The potential increase in Saudi and Libyan production comes as global oil markets are expected to be oversupplied next year. [Extracted from the article]

SpiceJet, an Indian budget airline, plans to add 75 aircraft to its fleet over the next two years to expand domestically. The airline aims to get 30 of its currently grounded planes back in the skies by the end of 2025 and purchase up to 45 jets from the secondary market using funds raised from a recent share sale. SpiceJet also intends to become debt-free by using the proceeds to make outstanding payments and settle with lessors. The airline is facing financial difficulties, including overdue payments to airports and increased scrutiny from regulators. Despite these challenges, SpiceJet is optimistic about the growth potential of India's aviation market. [Extracted from the article]

Deutsche Bank has hired Apurva Mazumder as head of mergers and acquisitions and its diversified industries group for India, as the German lender expands its investment banking business in the Asia Pacific region. Mazumder, who previously worked at Moelis & Co., brings over 25 years of investment banking and M&A experience to the role. India has seen a significant increase in dealmaking activity, with $9 billion raised through IPOs this year and a 28% increase in deals involving Indian companies. Deutsche Bank has been actively hiring in the APAC region to compete with Wall Street rivals and has been involved in deals across various markets in the region. [Extracted from the article]

UK property portal Rightmove has rejected an improved takeover offer from REA Group. The bid, valued at nearly 750 pence a share or £5.9 billion ($7.9 billion) in total, was deemed to undervalue the company. Rightmove, which holds the largest market share in the UK property portal market, saw its shares rise over 20% since the initial approach from REA. The deal would have expanded REA's presence in the Australian online real estate industry and other markets. Both companies declined to comment on the matter. [Extracted from the article]

Germany's electric-vehicle (EV) market experienced a significant decline last month, contributing to an overall drop in EV sales across Europe. This has prompted carmakers to call on the European Commission to reconsider climate targets and provide relief measures. The decline in EV sales is primarily attributed to the reduction of government incentives, which had previously made EVs more affordable. The situation is particularly pronounced in Germany, where the economy is facing setbacks and car manufacturers are reevaluating their strategies. However, the UK saw a 10.8% increase in EV sales. The decline in EV sales is also putting pressure on the EU's deadline to ban new combustion-engine cars by 2035, with European automakers divided on the way forward. [Extracted from the article]

Germany's electric-vehicle (EV) market experienced a significant decline last month, contributing to an overall drop in EV sales across Europe. This has prompted carmakers to call on the European Commission to reconsider climate targets and provide relief measures. The decline in EV sales is primarily attributed to the reduction of government incentives, which had previously made EVs more affordable. The situation is particularly pronounced in Germany, where the economy is facing setbacks and car manufacturers are reevaluating their strategies. However, the UK saw a 10.8% increase in EV sales. The decline in EV sales is also putting pressure on the EU's deadline to ban new combustion-engine cars by 2035, with European automakers divided on the way forward. [Extracted from the article]

Electric vehicle (EV) sales in Europe, particularly in Germany, have experienced a significant decline, prompting carmakers to call on the European Commission to reconsider climate targets. The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association reported a 69% drop in EV deliveries in Germany and a 36% decline across the region in August. The decrease in demand for EVs is attributed to the reduction of government incentives that had previously made these vehicles more affordable. This decline has led car manufacturers to reassess their strategies and timelines for transitioning away from combustion engines. The UK was the only major market where EV sales increased, while other European countries experienced a downturn in new car registrations. The decline in EV sales also poses a risk of hefty fines for carmakers as tighter EU fleet-emissions rules are set to take effect next year. The situation is putting pressure on the EU's deadline to ban the sale of new combustion-engine cars by 2035, with European automakers divided on the way forward. [Extracted from the article]

Kiwibank CEO, Steve Jurkovich, believes that a NZ$500 million injection of new capital could significantly grow the bank and help it disrupt the banking market in New Zealand. The government-owned bank aims to challenge the dominance of four Australian-owned lenders accused of operating as an oligopoly. Jurkovich suggests that the capital could come from various sources, including the government, government-owned investors, or foreign investors. He also emphasizes the need for shareholders to take a longer-term view and accept lesser returns in order to support the bank's growth and market share. [Extracted from the article]

UniCredit SpA's success in cutting costs at its German unit, HVB, suggests that it could replicate this formula with Commerzbank AG, according to analysts at KBW. UniCredit recently acquired a 9% stake in Commerzbank and is seeking regulatory permission to increase its stake to 30%. A merger between UniCredit and Commerzbank would create a European banking giant, surpassing Deutsche Bank AG in terms of domestic revenue. However, the influential German labor union Verdi opposes the potential takeover, citing concerns about job cuts and the impact on traditional German banks. [Extracted from the article]

Moove Lubricants Holdings, a subsidiary of Brazilian conglomerate Cosan SA, has filed for an initial public offering (IPO) in the US. The company, which produces and distributes lubricants and greases to various industries, reported net income of approximately $48 million and revenue of $1.8 billion in the previous year, representing a 13% increase from 2022. Moove, based in Sao Paulo, will remain under the control of Cosan after the IPO. The offering is being led by JPMorgan Chase & Co., Bank of America Corp., Citigroup Inc., Itau BBA, BTG Pactual, and Banco Santander SA, and the company plans to trade its shares on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol MOOV. [Extracted from the article]

Fashion designer Michael Kors testified in a federal court case about the competitive nature of the handbag market. He mentioned that he discovered a brand called Aupen when he saw a photo of one of their bags on Taylor Swift's arm. Kors also discussed how handbags worn by celebrities like Jennifer Lawrence, Kylie Jenner, Beyoncé, and Madonna can generate publicity and popularity for a brand. The case involves an $8.5 billion acquisition by Tapestry Inc. of Capri Holdings Ltd., which would create one of the world's largest fashion brands. US antitrust enforcers are suing to block the deal, claiming it would reduce competition in the market for "accessible luxury" handbags. Kors stated that the acquisition is crucial to revitalize his stagnant handbag brand. The case is ongoing, and a decision on whether to block the deal is pending. [Extracted from the article]

Carlyle Group Inc. has decided to pursue an initial public offering (IPO) for StandardAero Inc., an aircraft maintenance services provider, after attempts to sell the company fell short. Bids for StandardAero valued the company below its expected listing price, prompting Carlyle to choose an IPO instead. Potential buyers, including Bain Capital and Stonepeak Partners, were considering bids for the company, which could have valued it at $10 billion. StandardAero, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, is the largest provider of aerospace engine after-market services and reported a profit in the first half of the year. Carlyle will retain control of the company after the IPO. [Extracted from the article]

Carlyle Group Inc. has decided to pursue an initial public offering (IPO) for StandardAero Inc., an aircraft maintenance services provider, after attempts to sell the company fell short. Bids for StandardAero valued the company below its expected listing price, prompting Carlyle to choose an IPO instead. Potential suitors, including Bain Capital and Stonepeak Partners, had been considering bids for the company, which could have valued it at $10 billion. StandardAero, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, is the largest provider of aerospace engine after-market services and has shown a profit in the first half of this year. Carlyle will retain control of the company after the IPO. [Extracted from the article]

Oil prices are set to experience their first weekly gain in a month due to the disruption caused by storm Francine on crude production. Brent crude has risen above $72 a barrel, marking a weekly climb of almost 2%, while West Texas Intermediate remains below $70. The storm has led to a significant shut-in of production in the Gulf of Mexico. Additionally, a risk-on tone in wider markets, along with expectations of Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts, has boosted oil prices. However, concerns about a decrease in demand from China have caused crude to be 16% lower this quarter. The International Energy Agency has reported that global consumption growth in the first half of the year was the lowest since the pandemic, largely due to China's cooling economy. As a result, OPEC+ has decided to defer plans to relax supply curbs. Chinese demand has contracted for the fourth consecutive month, and fuel use in other regions is described as "tepid at best." The outlook for next year appears even weaker, with a projected surplus in each quarter. Lower borrowing costs resulting from expected US interest-rate cuts may support growth and increase energy demand. [Extracted from the article]

Oil prices are set to experience their first weekly gain in a month due to the disruption caused by storm Francine on crude production. Brent crude has risen above $72 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate remains below $70. The storm has led to a significant reduction in production in the Gulf of Mexico. Additionally, a risk-on tone in wider markets, along with expectations of Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts, has boosted oil prices. However, concerns about a decrease in demand from China have caused crude prices to be 16% lower this quarter. The International Energy Agency has reported that global consumption growth in the first half of the year was the lowest since the pandemic, primarily due to China's cooling economy. As a result, OPEC+ has decided to postpone plans to increase supply. Chinese demand has contracted for the fourth consecutive month, and the outlook for next year appears weak, even if OPEC+ does not restore halted supplies. Lower borrowing costs resulting from expected US interest rate cuts may support growth and increase energy demand. [Extracted from the article]

Oil prices are set to experience their first weekly gain in a month due to the disruption caused by storm Francine on crude production. Brent crude has risen above $72 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate remains below $70. The storm has led to a significant reduction in production in the Gulf of Mexico. Despite this, concerns about a decrease in demand from China have caused crude prices to be 16% lower this quarter. The International Energy Agency has reported that global consumption growth in the first half of the year was the lowest since the pandemic, primarily due to China's cooling economy. The outlook for next year appears even weaker, with a surplus expected in each quarter. The Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates, which may support growth and increase energy demand. [Extracted from the article]

Carlyle Group Inc. has decided to pursue an initial public offering (IPO) for StandardAero Inc., an aircraft maintenance services provider, after attempts to sell the company fell short. Bids received for StandardAero valued the company below its expected listing value of $10 billion. Carlyle may reconsider its plans if improved bids are received. StandardAero, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, is the largest provider of aerospace engine aftermarket services and has shown a profit in the first half of the year. Carlyle will retain control of the company after the IPO, with JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Morgan Stanley serving as lead banks for the IPO. [Extracted from the article]

John Lewis Partnership Plc, which operates John Lewis department stores and Waitrose grocery chain, has reported a first-half loss of £30 million ($39 million), down from £59 million the previous year. While John Lewis stores are still struggling with a 3% decline in sales, Waitrose has seen sales and volume recover after an IT glitch. The company expects to deliver a higher full-year profit than the previous year, partly due to Waitrose's growth, which is outpacing the wider grocery market. Waitrose plans to open new convenience stores and refurbish existing ones. [Extracted from the article]

Oil prices are set to experience their first weekly gain in a month due to the disruption caused by storm Francine on crude production. Brent crude has risen above $72 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate remains below $70. The storm has led to a significant reduction in production in the Gulf of Mexico. Additionally, a risk-on tone in wider markets, along with expected Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts, has boosted oil prices. However, concerns about a decrease in demand from China have caused crude prices to be 16% lower this quarter. The International Energy Agency has reported that global consumption growth in the first half of the year was the lowest since the pandemic, primarily due to China's cooling economy. As a result, OPEC+ has decided to postpone plans to increase supply. Chinese demand has contracted for the fourth consecutive month, and the outlook for next year appears weak, even if OPEC+ does not restore halted supplies. Lower borrowing costs resulting from expected US interest-rate cuts may support growth and increase energy demand. [Extracted from the article]

John Lewis Partnership has reported a first-half loss of £30 million ($39 million), down from £57 million the previous year. The loss was narrowed as sales recovered at its upmarket grocery chain, Waitrose, which has been recovering from an IT glitch that caused empty shelves in stores. The company expects to deliver a significantly higher full-year profit than the previous year, partly due to the growth of Waitrose, which has been outperforming the wider grocery market. Waitrose plans to open new convenience stores and refurbish existing shops. [Extracted from the article]

Oil prices held steady after a one-day gain, as a risk-on tone returned to wider financial markets. Brent traded below $72 a barrel after rising more than 1% on Monday, while West Texas Intermediate was near $68. The market's cautious tone was influenced by concerns about restrained demand in major economies and abundant supply, as well as the potential disruption of supplies due to Tropical Storm Francine in the Gulf of Mexico. Experts at the Asia Pacific Petroleum Conference in Singapore expressed caution about the market outlook, with some predicting that Brent could slip into the $60s soon. [Extracted from the article]

Oil prices held steady as a risk-on tone returned to financial markets and a storm threatened supplies in the Gulf of Mexico. Brent crude remained below $72 a barrel after a 1% increase on Monday, while West Texas Intermediate was near $69. Concerns about restrained demand and abundant supply have led to a bearish tone in the market, with Wall Street banks lowering price forecasts. Traders are also cautious about the market outlook, with one expert predicting that Brent could slip into the $60s soon. [Extracted from the article]

Oil prices held steady as a risk-on tone returned to financial markets and a storm threatened supplies in the Gulf of Mexico. Brent crude remained below $72 a barrel after a 1% increase on Monday, while West Texas Intermediate was near $69. Concerns about restrained demand and abundant supply have led to a bearish tone in the market, with Wall Street banks lowering price forecasts. Traders are also cautious about the market outlook, with one expert predicting that Brent could slip into the $60s soon. [Extracted from the article]