Tag: Bloomberg

  • FTSE 100 Opens Higher at 10,717.59 Despite Global Bond Sell-Off; Brent Crude Holds Above $106

    FTSE 100 Opens Higher at 10,717.59 Despite Global Bond Sell-Off; Brent Crude Holds Above $106

    The FTSE 100 opened Friday’s session 37.60 points higher at 10,717.59, shrugging off continued pressure from a global bond sell-off that pushed the 10-year gilt yield to its highest level in more than a week. Investor attention remains fixed on escalating tensions in the Middle East following fresh Houthi missile attacks on Saudi Arabia, while oil prices hovered near recent levels.

    Oil and currency movements

    Brent crude futures edged down 0.29% to USD 106.3 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate dropped 1.11% to USD 93.56. In currency markets, sterling was quoted at USD 1.3219 early Friday, up slightly from USD 1.3214 at the London equities close on Thursday. Against the euro, the pound eased to EUR 1.1620 from EUR 1.1628.

    Leading gainers and losers

    Computacenter led the FTSE 100 risers, climbing 3.15% to 5,405p. Smiths Group advanced 2.25% to 2,819p, while Standard Chartered gained 1.86% to 2,299p. Aberdeen Group rose 1.83% to 245.40p, followed by Endeavour Mining and Glencore, which each added 1.57%.

    On the downside, BP slipped 2.47% to 557.70p, British American Tobacco dropped 1.11% to 4,196p, and Unilever declined 1.00% to 4,661.50p. Reckitt Benckiser and Shell each fell 0.41%, while Admiral Group retreated 0.39%.

    Gilt yields hit multi-day high

    The 10-year gilt yield reached 5.38% on Thursday, its highest level in over a week, as bond markets around the world came under selling pressure. Higher bond yields tend to raise borrowing costs for companies and governments, and traders are closely watching whether the Bank of England will respond. Reuters reported that markets now expect at least one 25-basis-point rate hike from the BoE this year.

    FT and Bloomberg UK profits rise

    Company filings show that the UK operations of the Financial Times and Bloomberg posted higher profits in 2025. The Financial Times increased its profit by GBP 6 million to just under GBP 15 million for the year. Bloomberg Index Services, a UK subsidiary of the US firm that supplies data through the Bloomberg Terminal, saw profit rise by $12 million to around USD 125 million (GBP 94 million). Bloomberg attributed its 10% increase in turnover to ‘growth from new business and the expansion of existing customer relationships,’ while the FT cited growth in digital subscriptions and sales from live events.

    Harworth backs Peel Holdings takeover

    Land developer Harworth has recommended that shareholders accept a GBP 632 million takeover offer from its largest shareholder, Peel Holdings. The 187p-per-share bid represents a 30% premium over Harworth’s closing price on the day Peel first made its offer. The firm told investors the deal gives them the ‘opportunity to realise the entirety of their interests in cash against the current uncertainty presented by a weak macroeconomic backdrop.’

    Global markets mixed

    In the US, the Dow Jones fell 161.61 points, or 0.31%, to 51,349.98. The S&P 500 slipped 0.02% to 7,704.13, while the Nasdaq Composite edged up 0.01% to 26,939.37. In Asia, Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 gained 1.3% to 66,364.2. China’s Shanghai Composite declined 1.22%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 1.03%, and South Korea’s Kospi rose 0.9%. In India, both the Nifty 50 and the Sensex finished lower.

    This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.

  • Apple Explores Screenless Fitness Band as Potential Whoop Rival

    Apple Explores Screenless Fitness Band as Potential Whoop Rival

    Apple is reportedly working on a screenless fitness band that could directly compete with Whoop in the health wearable market. According to Bloomberg, the company has tested prototypes in California after exploring the category for several months.

    Early-Stage Development

    The device is described as a thin fabric strap with a compact computing module that contains multiple health sensors. Apple has not yet decided whether the product will reach consumers. The project is still in an internal phase referred to as a “technology investigation,” and even if approved, a commercial launch could be delayed until 2028 or later.

    Health-First Design Without a Display

    Unlike the Apple Watch, the reported band would omit a screen entirely. Instead, its design would prioritize health tracking over apps, alerts, and music controls. Sensors would continuously collect biometric data, while connected devices would handle most user interactions.

    Apple executive chairman Tim Cook and services chief Eddy Cue are said to support the initiative. Engineers from Apple’s Vision hardware group have also contributed to prototype development. Apple declined to comment on the project or its launch plans.

    Expanding Apple’s Wearable Health Strategy

    A screenless tracker would put Apple in closer competition with Whoop, Oura, Garmin, and Google’s Fitbit Air. These products appeal to consumers who want continuous health monitoring without another bright display on their wrist.

    Apple has already added health-focused features to its latest Apple Watch lineup, including readiness information, advanced heart tracking, and biological age estimates. A screenless band could extend these capabilities to people who avoid traditional smartwatches.

    The device could also complement the Apple Watch rather than replace it. A display-free tracker may attract athletes, wellness-focused users, and those who prefer mechanical watches.

    Market Reaction and Outlook

    Apple’s reported interest had an immediate market impact. Garmin shares reportedly fell as much as 2.5% after the news surfaced, while Apple shares gained roughly 1% during the same period.

    Apple has not confirmed the product, so final features and release timing remain uncertain. Still, the reported prototype signals a possible expansion of Apple’s wearable ecosystem and a more direct challenge to dedicated fitness-tracker brands.

  • Apple’s Camera AirPods Rumored for September 2026 Launch: Visual Intelligence Features Revealed

    Apple’s Camera AirPods Rumored for September 2026 Launch: Visual Intelligence Features Revealed

    Apple may launch camera-equipped AirPods as early as September 2026, according to a report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The earbuds are expected to debut alongside Apple’s next iPhone lineup, though the company has not officially confirmed the launch. The move is part of Apple’s growing focus on AI-powered wearables that use cameras to help Siri understand its surroundings.

    Two AirPods projects are reportedly under development: B790 and B798. The B790 model appears to be further along and could launch in September 2026, while B798 is linked to a later 2027 release. References to B790 in iOS 27 code have added weight to the 2026 timeline.

    The rumored Camera AirPods are not intended for photography. Instead, the cameras will capture visual input for Apple’s Visual Intelligence features, enabling Siri to recognize objects, read text, and identify landmarks. According to Gurman, the cameras “can’t capture media” — they are designed solely to feed information to Siri. The system may also request a second image when lighting or clarity affects recognition.

    The earbuds could feature longer stems to accommodate camera hardware and an LED indicator for cloud data transfers. Apple may use the “AirPods Ultra” name for the high-end product, positioning it above the current AirPods Pro range.

    However, a separate report from TechTimes creates uncertainty around the September timeline. It suggests B790 could instead be a camera-free AirPods update this year, leaving B798 as the main camera-focused model planned for 2027. With conflicting reports and no official confirmation from Apple, the final design, features, pricing, and launch date remain unconfirmed.