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US holiday sales growth is projected to slow sharply this season. Deloitte forecasts a 2.9 % to 3.4 % increase for 2025, marking the weakest rate since the pandemic. In-store sales are losing momentum, while e-commerce continues to grow steadily despite inflationary pressure.
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DNB deploys AI to accelerate Malaysia’s 5G service management. Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), Malaysia’s national 5G infrastructure provider, has implemented BMC Helix to streamline service operations, reduce incident response times, and support national connectivity innovation.
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Gold prices reach record highs amid US interest rate hopes. Investors are optimistic about a potential US interest rate cut, driving gold to new heights. The metal reached $3,616, buoyed by economic uncertainty and political tensions in the US.
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U.S. President Trump has signed an executive order cutting tariffs. The measure reduces duties on Japanese cars and auto parts to 15%, down from 27.5%, and is tied to a $550 billion Japanese investment pledge. The order implements a July trade agreement and carries retroactive effect.
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EU court upholds data transfer framework between Europe and US. The ruling rejected a legal challenge and confirmed that the framework’s safeguards are adequate, allowing businesses across sectors to continue transatlantic transfers with renewed certainty after years of disruption caused by previous court annulments of earlier agreements.
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US duty‑free import threshold scrapped for parcels under $800. The United States has eliminated its longstanding tariff exemption for low‑value imports, forcing businesses and logistics providers to reconfigure shipping strategies as new charges and regulatory complexity take effect.
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Trump’s dismissal of Fed governor Lisa Cook raises tensions. President Trump claimed to have sacked Fed governor Lisa Cook, alleging mortgage fraud. The dollar weakened, US borrowing costs rose, and a legal challenge is expected over the unprecedented move.
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Broadcasting, biotech, and wealth management dominated U.S. M&A this week. Nexstar’s $6.2 billion bid for Tegna led the headlines, while Honeywell added utility platforms, XOMA Royalty expanded in oncology, and wealth managers pursued consolidation. Mubadala’s take-private of CI Financial added sovereign weight to a diverse week of deals.
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New trade deal imposes 15% cap on most EU exports. The United States and European Union have signed a tariff framework capping most duties at 15%, exempting select sectors and outlining reciprocal measures in energy, agriculture and investment. The provisional pact leaves several disputes unresolved, with legislative steps still pending.
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Databricks secures new funding round, boosting valuation above $100bn. The data and AI firm plans to use the capital for AI development, international expansion, and strategic acquisitions, following its recent $10bn funding. Databricks opened its European HQ in London last year.