The day's news in five stories, every morning and evening. Summarized by AI from trusted sources, so you don't have to read it all.
Thursday, October 29, 2026
Morning edition Business briefing
Listen · 3 min 7 s
Public reacts to UK Budget with mixed feelings on tax and living costs
Readers from various income levels expressed frustration over the absence of a fuel duty cut and shared how the Budget impacts their finances. Some highlighted financial struggles despite higher incomes.
Why it matters: Public reaction highlights concerns about the Budget's impact on everyday living and financial stability across different income groups.
Sources: BBC Business · The Guardian Business
Shell doubles quarterly profit as oil prices rise due to Middle East conflict
Shell's adjusted profit for the July-September quarter reached $10.8bn, doubling from the previous year. The increase was driven by higher oil and gas prices caused by the Middle East conflict and global shortages.
Why it matters: Higher energy prices and geopolitical tensions are impacting both energy company profits and global markets.
Sources: The Guardian Business · CNBC
Alphabet stock drops sharply after earnings report
Alphabet's stock fell 10% in premarket trading following its earnings report. The company reported worse-than-expected free cash flow and maintained its spending guidance for the year.
Why it matters: Investors are worried that Alphabet's growth in cloud revenue isn't offsetting concerns about AI's impact on its search advertising business.
Sources: CNBC · MarketWatch
Samsung Electronics shares drop despite record third-quarter profit
Samsung Electronics reported third-quarter earnings on Thursday. The company earned nearly as much as Microsoft and Alphabet combined.
Why it matters: The stock price fell even though the company achieved a historically high level of earnings.
Sources: CNBC · MarketWatch
Hello Kitty maker ends tie with Japanese spy drama after China backlash
Sanrio has apologised and ended its commercial tie-up with the Japanese TV drama Vivant after Chinese state media and netizens condemned the show’s portrayal of Chinese agents. The company said the drama contained elements inconsistent with its values.
Why it matters: The move highlights the sensitivity of cultural portrayals and the influence of public opinion in international markets.
Sources: BBC Business · The Guardian Business
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