Business

Making Money panelists Michelle Girard and Chris Low break down the February Jobs report, the impact on the energy prices from the Middle East crisis and the outlook for the Fed. The U.S. reversed a five-year decline in the Heritage Foundation's Index of Economic Freedom with its biggest annual increase in the index in over two decades, FOX Business can exclusively reveal. America's economic freedom score rose by 2.6 points from a year ago to 72.8, which ranks 22nd among the more than 176 countries that had completed scores in the index. The increase of 2.6 points was the largest annual increase since 2001 and is the second-largest jump the U.S. has had in its 32-year history in the index.Heritage's Index of Economic Freedom assesses 12 economic freedoms that fall into four categor...

Martin Lewis has shared what he says is "potentially horrifying" news about which industries will be hardest hit by the advance of AI. On his social media, the founder of MoneySavingExpert.com shared the findings of a new report done by artifical intelligence company, Anthropic.The San Francisco-based AI firm published the report last week, identifying jobs most exposed to AI as well as those likely to remain largely unaffected. Martin Lewis shared the findings on his X (formerly Twitter) account, calling the data both "fascinating" and "potentially horrifying for some future job markets."Martin Lewis wrote on X: "Where will AI impact the workplace? This was in @AnthropicAI's report aiming to show where is 'actually seeing AI usage in professional settings' and theoretically where could...

Millions more households could be forced to pay the TV licence fee under BBC proposals (Image: Getty)Millions more people could be forced to pay the £180 TV licence fee under BBC proposals. Some 3.6 million households report not needing a TV licence because they do not watch the BBC or any live programmes online.Currently, a TV licence is required to watch any live video content on any streaming service, including Netflix and Prime Video, which regularly host events including live sports. But the BBC has suggested the licence fee should be extended to anyone who streams content from other providers, whether it is live or viewed on-demand. READ MORE: Netflix drama is deemed so good viewers can't help but binge it all at once READ MORE: Ryan Reynolds net worth, ex-wife split, 'Disney F...

Petrol and diesel have rocketed over the past week (Image: PAUL ELLIS, AFP via Getty Images)Motorists are being urged to consider eliminating "non-essential journeys" because fuel prices are anticipated to climb as the cost of oil surges. AA president Edmund King, who issued the guidance, also recommended drivers should alter their driving style to be more fuel efficient.Oil prices – which have a substantial impact on the cost of wholesale fuel – have rocketed above $100 a barrel for the first time since 2022 in reaction to the Middle East conflict. Since the war commenced on February 28, the average price of a litre of petrol at UK forecourts has risen by 5p to 137.5p, while diesel is up 9p to 151.0p.Analysis of the historical relationship between oil and fuel prices by think tank the ...

Making the right choices could result in a huge difference (Image: MarioGuti via Getty Images)An inheritance tax specialist is cautioning families that straightforward planning errors could result in losses running into hundreds of thousands of pounds. She explained that people frequently draft a will without simultaneously addressing inheritance tax considerations, a "critical oversight" given that HMRC's tax demand can claim as much as 40 per cent of their entire estate.More concerning still, the payment is typically required before relatives can gain access to bank accounts or property. During an already difficult period of bereavement, families may find themselves desperately attempting to raise substantial amounts simply to clear the tax liability.Specialist Laura Rumsey, from soli...

Just 10 days ago the FTSE 100 was closing in on a new all-time high, and looked set to smash through 11,000 for the first time ever. Then the US and Israel attacked Iran. The conflict has shaken the Middle East and sent shockwaves through global markets. Share prices plunged last week as Iran struck back at regional rivals. They’re sliding again today after the Islamic Republic named the son of recently killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as its new supreme leader. The move signals the regime is digging in rather than backing down. The FTSE 100 is plunging again and could easily slip below 10,000 if panic spreads.Oil is the big fear. Brent crude was trading at just over $70 a barrel only weeks ago. Now it’s surged past $100 for the first time in almost four years. Goldman Sachs warns it could...

What a performance from UK outdoor gear brand ACAI as it strides ahead making chic, practical outfits tailored for females. Founder Kasia Bromley, once part of luxury fashion house Alexander McQueen, saw a production and retail opportunity catering for women in a sector traditionally overlooking them.A decade on growth is running at 8% and turnover forecast for £8million next year with the label operating an ecommerce model selling directly to customers and also through big retail names such as John Lewis, Cotsworld Outdoor and Go Outdoors.“We take you from street to trail and trail to street, the legwear market has been underserved,” declares Bromley whose Skinny Outdoor Trousers, from £59, are now a leggings legend and core revenue driver having sold over 50,000 units.As the UK marks ...

Donald Trump has attempted to calm Americans after oil prices rocketed.In a post on Truth Social, the US President wrote: "Short term oil prices, which will drop rapidly when the destruction of the Iran nuclear threat is over, is a very small price to pay for U.S.A., and World, Safety and Peace."ONLY FOOLS WOULD THINK DIFFERENTLY!", he added.Trump has previously claimed that an earlier attack by US forces in Iran, in June last year, had "totally obliterated" Iran’s nuclear facilities.Last month, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the destruction of Iran’s nuclear programme had been “verified” by both the President himself, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).However, she added: “That does not mean that Iran may never try again to establish a nuclear programm...

Des prix du logement à la santé financière des SCPI, le marché de l’immobilier a montré des signes de redémarrage en 2025. Mais ceux-ci doivent encore se confirmer, dans un contexte économique et politique assez volatil. Source link

Check out what's clicking on FoxBusiness.com. Enterprise software giant Oracle is reportedly planning to ax thousands of jobs due to mounting financial pressure from its aggressive push to build AI-focused data centers. The tech powerhouse may slash 20,000 to 30,000 positions, possibly cutting 12–18% of its global workforce of roughly 162,000 employees, tech magazine CIO reported.The layoffs could be implemented as early as March 2026, Bloomberg reported. The move is driven by a cash crunch from massive spending on data centers, which Wall Street expects will keep Oracle’s cash flow negative for years, forcing the company to seek alternative ways to preserve liquidity, Bloomberg said.   MAJOR TECH COMPANIES BACK TRUMP PLEDGE TO PAY MORE FOR DATA CENTER ELECTRICITY AHEAD OF SIGNING ...