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Business Briefing
In January 2026, annual inflation in the euro area decreased to 1.7%, down from 2.0% in December 2025, a notable shift that hints at easing cost pressures within households. However, beneath the headline figures, a diverse inflation landscape emerges; for instance, Romania and Slovakia reported significantly higher rates at 8.5% and 4.3%, respectively. This disparity signals potential challenges in achieving cohesive monetary stability across the bloc, as elevated inflation in certain member states could affect overall policy effectiveness. As the euro area adapts to these variances, the broader implications for economic cohesion in the region warrant careful observation.
This morning, Eurostat reported that annual inflation in the euro area is anticipated to decline to 1.7% in January 2026, down from 2.0% in December. Key components such as services and food show varied inflation rates compared to last month.
This morning, Eurostat released flash estimates indicating a 0.3% increase in GDP for both the euro area and the EU in Q4 2025. Year-on-year growth stands at 1.3% for the euro area and 1.5% for the EU. Employment rose by 0.2% in the same quarter.
Evergrande, the struggling Chinese property giant, along with its founder Hui Ka Yan, faces allegations of inflating revenues by $78 billion (£61.6 billion) in the two years preceding the company’s default on its debt.
Japan’s central bank has raised the cost of borrowing for the first time in 17 years. The Bank of Japan (BOJ) increased its key interest rate from -0.1% to a range of 0%-0.1%. It comes as wages have jumped after consumer prices rose.
Donald Trump cannot find a private company to guarantee the $464 million (£365 million) he has to pay in a New York civil fraud lawsuit.
Nvidia has revealed its latest artificial intelligence (AI) chip, boasting a significant speed boost of 30 times compared to its predecessor.
The FT’s lead story claims the US Federal Reserve will have to keep rates high…
City AM – House Price Boom Builds Momentum The London business paper CITY AM reports…
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