Global economy Stories

Global Stories

Global economy stories

WARC lifts ad outlook but Gulf crisis risks USD $94bn

A prolonged Gulf energy crisis could wipe USD $93.7 billion from expected ad market growth as higher costs hit spending worldwide.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 5 min read • Last week

Digital Transformation

Apple says App Store ecosystem topped USD $1.4tn in 2025

Most of the App Store's USD $1.4 trillion in 2025 billings came from fee-free physical goods, underscoring its reach beyond software.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • This month

Digital Transformation

Dun & Bradstreet data lands in ChatGPT for finance

Finance teams can query verified credit and ownership data in ChatGPT, as Dun & Bradstreet pushes its commercial graph into AI workflows.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • This month

Supply Chain

IDC forecasts record smartphone shipment slump in 2026

Higher handset prices and supply shortages are set to hit low-end buyers hardest as worldwide shipments slump 13.9% next year, IDC said.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • This month

Digital Transformation

Brookfield backs OpenAI deployment firm with USD $500m

The deal expands Brookfield's AI push as it targets productivity gains across its industrial and services portfolio and wider investment network.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Last month

Network Infrastructure

UK among cheaper markets in global broadband price league

British households pay less than many Western peers for fixed-line broadband, with the UK placed 70th in a 214-country price league.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 3 min read • Fri, 17th Apr 2026

Semiconductors

US AI megadeals drive global VC to USD $331 billion

A handful of US artificial intelligence megadeals pushed global venture capital investment to USD $330.9 billion in the first quarter, KPMG said.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Wed, 15th Apr 2026

Software-as-a-Service

AI dominates US CEO calls as Iran references surge

Boardroom focus shifted to war risk in Q1, with Iran mentions jumping as chief executives kept AI at the top of the agenda.

By Mark Tarre • 3 min read • Sat, 11th Apr 2026

Data Analytics

EY rolls out AI audit tools across global assurance

The rollout puts AI into 160,000 audits and could cut administrative work as EY braces for bigger data volumes and tougher assurance demands.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Thu, 9th Apr 2026

DevOps

Lumenia's Birmingham ERP event draws record buyer interest

More than 180 attendees underscored rising demand for side-by-side ERP comparisons as buyers weigh cloud migration, AI and change risk.

By Kaleah Salmon • 4 min read • Thu, 2nd Apr 2026

Internet of Things

Norway tops iSelect home security index as UK ranks seventh

Britain’s seventh-place finish reflects weaker search interest in home protection, even as its smart security infrastructure score remained high.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Thu, 26th Mar 2026

Data Analytics

CFOs face AI talent squeeze amid market volatility

CFOs rank AI skills and market shocks as top threats, as talent shortages, rising costs and geopolitical turmoil squeeze finance teams.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Mon, 23rd Mar 2026

Data Protection

Compliance gaps threaten global hiring for AI talent

Compliance gaps are forcing firms to forfeit scarce AI talent, as most global hirers admit exposure to cross-border tax and labour risks.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Fri, 20th Mar 2026

Crypto

PayPal expands PYUSD stablecoin to 70 global markets

PayPal widens access to its PYUSD stablecoin, rolling it out to accounts in 70 markets to speed up and cut the cost of cross-border payments.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Thu, 19th Mar 2026

Stories from Other Regions

Global economy stories

Supply Chain

Australia inflation supports case for RBA rate rise

Higher housing and wage pressures are keeping Australian inflation too hot for the Reserve Bank to rule out another rate rise as soon as November.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Yesterday

Data Protection

Ant International ties sustainability to management pay

Sustainability targets will now affect pay reviews at Ant International, as the payments firm widens internal accountability beyond financial results.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Last month

Power / Energy

Australian inflation eases, but RBA tightening looms

Fuel costs have pushed headline prices higher again, leaving the Reserve Bank of Australia under pressure to raise interest rates despite softer underlying inflation.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Wed, 29th Apr 2026