https://africandailypost.com/c/business Business en-002 https://africandailypost.com/a/2026-09-01-court-halts-nmdpra-from-shutting-dangote-refinery-70a4f4eb78 https://africandailypost.com/a/2026-09-01-court-halts-nmdpra-from-shutting-dangote-refinery-70a4f4eb78 A Federal High Court in Lagos has issued an interim injunction restraining Nigeria’s petroleum regulator from shutting down or interfering with Dangote Refinery’s operations. Tue, 01 Sep 2026 01:39:09 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/2026-08-31-brent-crude-rises-above-90-after-u-s-strike-near-strait-of-hormuz-a85c1e2d5b https://africandailypost.com/a/2026-08-31-brent-crude-rises-above-90-after-u-s-strike-near-strait-of-hormuz-a85c1e2d5b Brent crude oil prices climbed above $90 per barrel on 31 August after the U.S. military targeted Iranian rocket launchers preparing to deploy mines into the Strait of Hormuz. Mon, 31 Aug 2026 11:55:33 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-28-stocks-hover-near-highs-as-investors-wait-for-fed-signals-and-a-new-wa https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-28-stocks-hover-near-highs-as-investors-wait-for-fed-signals-and-a-new-wa Markets entered January 28 with investors focused on the Federal Reserve’s next signal, the outlook for inflation and jobs, and the impact of AI spending on corporate profits. With equities near record territory, traders weighed whether strong tech earnings and softer-rate expectations can keep the rally intact, even as restructuring and layoffs remain a reality for large employers. Wed, 28 Jan 2026 21:17:55 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-28-markets-end-mixed-as-investors-await-fed-decision-and-big-tech-earning https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-28-markets-end-mixed-as-investors-await-fed-decision-and-big-tech-earning U.S. stocks finished mixed Tuesday with attention on an upcoming Federal Reserve policy statement and fresh results from major technology companies, while quarterly earnings reports continued to move individual names. Wed, 28 Jan 2026 21:11:18 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-28-bls-release-schedule-highlights-a-january-28-update-on-u-s-weekly-earn https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-28-bls-release-schedule-highlights-a-january-28-update-on-u-s-weekly-earn The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2026 release calendar lists a data publication on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 for “Usual Weekly Earnings of Wage and Salary Workers (Annual 2025).” The schedule underscores how wages and labor-market metrics remain central inputs for policymakers, businesses, and households tracking inflation, purchasing power, and staffing decisions as the year begins. Wed, 28 Jan 2026 21:06:42 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-27-u-s-faces-greater-outbreak-risk-as-cdc-surveillance-databases-stop-or- https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-27-u-s-faces-greater-outbreak-risk-as-cdc-surveillance-databases-stop-or- A study reported in HealthDay News and published in Annals of Internal Medicine says many CDC health surveillance databases stopped or slowed updates in 2025, weakening the nation’s ability to track infectious diseases, vaccination trends and overdoses. Tue, 27 Jan 2026 21:04:38 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-27-fed-expected-to-hold-rates-steady-as-powell-faces-a-doj-probe-and-poli https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-27-fed-expected-to-hold-rates-steady-as-powell-faces-a-doj-probe-and-poli The Federal Reserve is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged this week after cuts in 2025, with inflation still above target and the labor market cooling. The meeting comes as Chair Jerome Powell faces a Justice Department investigation tied to Fed building renovations. Tue, 27 Jan 2026 20:53:43 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-27-markets-watch-earnings-as-medicare-advantage-rate-proposal-hits-insure https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-27-markets-watch-earnings-as-medicare-advantage-rate-proposal-hits-insure U.S. futures were mixed as investors weighed major earnings and a CMS proposal pointing to a slim 2027 Medicare Advantage payment increase, pressuring health insurers while chip-linked names helped support tech-heavy indexes. Tue, 27 Jan 2026 20:47:55 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-27-fed-expected-to-hold-rates-steady-as-powell-faces-doj-scrutiny-and-whi https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-27-fed-expected-to-hold-rates-steady-as-powell-faces-doj-scrutiny-and-whi The Federal Reserve is widely expected to leave interest rates unchanged at its first meeting of 2026. The decision comes amid stubborn inflation, a cooling labor market, and intensifying political pressure as Chair Jerome Powell confronts a Justice Department probe related to Fed building renovations and approaches the end of his term in May. Tue, 27 Jan 2026 20:43:29 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-27-health-insurer-stocks-slide-after-cms-proposes-tiny-medicare-advantage https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-27-health-insurer-stocks-slide-after-cms-proposes-tiny-medicare-advantage Shares of major U.S. health insurers fell after the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services projected a net average payment increase of just 0.09% for Medicare Advantage in 2027. The proposal surprised analysts and amplified investor anxiety already heightened by scrutiny of Medicare Advantage practices. Tue, 27 Jan 2026 20:37:21 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-27-ups-plans-up-to-30-000-job-cuts-in-2026-as-it-reshapes-network-and-red https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-27-ups-plans-up-to-30-000-job-cuts-in-2026-as-it-reshapes-network-and-red UPS says it will cut as many as 30,000 operational jobs in 2026 through buyouts and attrition, while closing facilities and shifting focus to higher-margin segments such as healthcare. The company is continuing to scale down Amazon package volume as part of a broader restructuring designed to align costs with demand. Tue, 27 Jan 2026 20:31:46 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-26-markets-brace-for-fed-decision-as-winter-storm-disrupts-travel-gold-hi https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-26-markets-brace-for-fed-decision-as-winter-storm-disrupts-travel-gold-hi Investors headed into a major week of earnings and a Federal Reserve decision with futures flat, while a sweeping winter storm disrupted travel and safe-haven demand pushed gold above new highs, reflecting heightened anxiety around policy and geopolitics. Mon, 26 Jan 2026 21:31:48 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-26-u-s-stocks-mixed-as-earnings-roll-in-investors-parse-results-and-secto https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-26-u-s-stocks-mixed-as-earnings-roll-in-investors-parse-results-and-secto Markets ended a recent session split as investors weighed a fresh batch of corporate earnings and sector performance, with some financial names sliding while parts of tech and consumer-related sectors held up better. Mon, 26 Jan 2026 21:18:30 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-26-treasury-cancels-booz-allen-contracts-over-taxpayer-data-leak-shares-f https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-26-treasury-cancels-booz-allen-contracts-over-taxpayer-data-leak-shares-f The U.S. Treasury terminated multiple Booz Allen Hamilton contracts, citing failures to safeguard sensitive information after a former employee leaked tax returns. The move highlights heightened scrutiny of federal contractors handling confidential data. Mon, 26 Jan 2026 21:07:13 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-26-u-s-takes-a-stake-in-usa-rare-earth-backing-domestic-magnets-and-minin https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-26-u-s-takes-a-stake-in-usa-rare-earth-backing-domestic-magnets-and-minin The Trump administration is backing USA Rare Earth with federal funding and a loan package, taking an equity position as it pushes to build a U.S. mine-to-magnets supply chain and reduce dependence on China for critical minerals processing. Mon, 26 Jan 2026 20:57:44 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-26-gold-hits-fresh-record-above-5-000-as-markets-brace-for-fed-decision-a https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-26-gold-hits-fresh-record-above-5-000-as-markets-brace-for-fed-decision-a Ahead of a major week for earnings and the Federal Reserve, investors poured into safe havens, pushing gold futures above $5,000 an ounce, while markets tracked a new U.S. threat of 100% tariffs on Canadian imports. Mon, 26 Jan 2026 20:47:53 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-26-markets-brace-for-fed-week-as-investors-watch-tech-earnings-tariffs-an https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-26-markets-brace-for-fed-week-as-investors-watch-tech-earnings-tariffs-an U.S. markets entered a high-stakes week with attention on major tech results and the Federal Reserve, while investors weighed tariff threats, geopolitical uncertainty, and widespread weather-driven travel disruptions. Mon, 26 Jan 2026 20:43:10 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-26-markets-brace-for-fed-decision-and-big-tech-earnings-as-uncertainty-pu https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-26-markets-brace-for-fed-decision-and-big-tech-earnings-as-uncertainty-pu U.S. markets opened the week watching a Federal Reserve rate decision and a busy slate of major technology earnings, while geopolitical uncertainty and trade threats stirred volatility and helped lift gold to record territory, according to a pre-market briefing. Mon, 26 Jan 2026 20:34:11 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-26-u-s-takes-minority-stake-in-usa-rare-earth-with-1-6-billion-commerce-d https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-26-u-s-takes-minority-stake-in-usa-rare-earth-with-1-6-billion-commerce-d The Trump administration’s Commerce Department is investing $1.6 billion in USA Rare Earth, including proposed federal funding and a loan package, in exchange for shares and additional purchase rights. The move aims to strengthen domestic rare earth mining and magnet production and reduce dependence on China for critical minerals used across high-tech and defense industries. Mon, 26 Jan 2026 20:24:43 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-26-trump-sues-jpmorgan-chase-and-ceo-jamie-dimon-seeking-at-least-5-billi https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-26-trump-sues-jpmorgan-chase-and-ceo-jamie-dimon-seeking-at-least-5-billi President Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase and its chief executive, Jamie Dimon, accusing the bank of cutting off services for political reasons after the January 6 attack. The bank says it doesn’t close accounts based on politics or religion and plans to defend the case. Mon, 26 Jan 2026 20:17:08 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-26-u-s-stocks-end-mixed-as-earnings-and-sector-moves-pull-indexes-in-diff https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-26-u-s-stocks-end-mixed-as-earnings-and-sector-moves-pull-indexes-in-diff Markets finished a choppy session with the Dow lower and the S&P 500 and Nasdaq slightly higher as investors weighed a mixed batch of quarterly results and shifting sector leadership. Trading volume stayed elevated and volatility ticked up as earnings season continued. Mon, 26 Jan 2026 20:10:13 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-26-us-stocks-end-mixed-as-investors-weigh-earnings-major-indexes-post-wee https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-26-us-stocks-end-mixed-as-investors-weigh-earnings-major-indexes-post-wee US equities finished a mixed session as investors digested uneven quarterly earnings and shifting sector performance. Despite gains for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, the week ended lower across major benchmarks amid ongoing uncertainty. Mon, 26 Jan 2026 20:05:36 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-25-treasury-secretary-signals-aggressive-2026-growth-target-at-davos-outp https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-25-treasury-secretary-signals-aggressive-2026-growth-target-at-davos-outp In remarks tied to Davos, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent projected U.S. real GDP growth around 4%–5% for 2026—far above many forecasters—prompting debate over inflation risks, labor constraints, and the timing of policy effects. Sun, 25 Jan 2026 15:59:45 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-25-atlanta-fed-survey-shows-year-ahead-inflation-expectations-ease-to-2-0 https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-25-atlanta-fed-survey-shows-year-ahead-inflation-expectations-ease-to-2-0 A Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta survey indicates firms’ year-ahead inflation expectations declined to 2.0%, suggesting some easing in near-term pricing concerns even as businesses continue to monitor costs and demand. Sun, 25 Jan 2026 15:49:19 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-25-trump-proposes-one-year-10-cap-on-credit-card-interest-rates-as-banks- https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-25-trump-proposes-one-year-10-cap-on-credit-card-interest-rates-as-banks- President Donald Trump has proposed a temporary 10% cap on credit card interest rates, pitching it as a major consumer savings plan. Banks and card issuers argue it could shrink credit availability and push vulnerable borrowers toward costlier alternatives. Sun, 25 Jan 2026 15:38:50 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-25-south-carolina-measles-outbreak-grows-to-211-cases-state-health-depart https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-25-south-carolina-measles-outbreak-grows-to-211-cases-state-health-depart South Carolina’s measles outbreak continued to expand, with the state reporting 211 cases. Officials said most infections were among unvaccinated people and that quarantine and isolation measures were ongoing as investigators tracked household and school-linked exposures. Sun, 25 Jan 2026 15:31:20 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-25-markets-brace-for-fed-decision-and-a-flood-of-big-tech-earnings-as-202 https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-25-markets-brace-for-fed-decision-and-a-flood-of-big-tech-earnings-as-202 Investors head into the week focused on the Federal Reserve’s first rate decision of 2026 and major earnings from Microsoft, Meta, Tesla, and Apple, looking for signals on inflation, rates, and AI-driven spending. Sun, 25 Jan 2026 15:20:12 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-25-airlines-and-businesses-brace-for-losses-as-winter-storm-drives-mass-c https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-25-airlines-and-businesses-brace-for-losses-as-winter-storm-drives-mass-c The storm sweeping across large parts of the U.S. triggered wide flight cancellations, hit commerce and forced unusual closures. The disruptions underscored how extreme weather can quickly turn into a business problem—from staffing and logistics to energy use and customer refunds. Sun, 25 Jan 2026 15:10:22 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-25-saudi-arabia-indefinitely-postpones-2029-asian-winter-games-planned-fo https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-25-saudi-arabia-indefinitely-postpones-2029-asian-winter-games-planned-fo Saudi Arabia and the Olympic Council of Asia agreed to postpone the 2029 Asian Winter Games that were slated for Trojena, the ski-resort component of the NEOM mega-project. The decision underscores the financial and logistical strain of staging snow-based sports in an arid environment while the kingdom funds multiple major global events. Sun, 25 Jan 2026 15:00:27 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-25-u-s-business-activity-steady-in-january-as-firms-cite-tariff-driven-co https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-25-u-s-business-activity-steady-in-january-as-firms-cite-tariff-driven-co A new survey showed U.S. private-sector activity remained in expansion territory in January, with improving new orders offset by soft employment momentum. Businesses continued to flag higher costs linked to tariffs as a key concern, even as consumer sentiment improved. Sun, 25 Jan 2026 14:50:24 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-25-micron-to-buy-powerchip-s-taiwan-fab-site-for-1-8-billion-as-memory-de https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-25-micron-to-buy-powerchip-s-taiwan-fab-site-for-1-8-billion-as-memory-de Micron Technology plans to acquire Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp.’s P5 fab site in Tongluo, Taiwan, for $1.8 billion in cash. The deal highlights how AI-driven demand and tight memory supply are reshaping semiconductor investment as Micron looks to expand DRAM capacity in the coming years. Sun, 25 Jan 2026 14:40:15 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-25-fed-expected-to-hold-rates-steady-as-trump-pressure-mounts-and-scrutin https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-25-fed-expected-to-hold-rates-steady-as-trump-pressure-mounts-and-scrutin Markets are bracing for the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates unchanged after December cuts, even as President Donald Trump presses for lower borrowing costs and Chair Jay Powell faces intensifying political and legal scrutiny. Sun, 25 Jan 2026 14:34:04 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-25-fed-publishes-2026-payment-service-pricing-raising-some-fees-as-instan https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-25-fed-publishes-2026-payment-service-pricing-raising-some-fees-as-instan The Federal Reserve Board announced pricing effective January 1, 2026 for payment services provided by the Federal Reserve Banks, including ACH, check clearing, instant payments, and wholesale settlement services. The schedule reflects modest average increases and the Fed’s cost-recovery requirements. Sun, 25 Jan 2026 14:25:33 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-25-u-s-plans-1-6-billion-backing-for-usa-rare-earth-seeking-stronger-dome https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-25-u-s-plans-1-6-billion-backing-for-usa-rare-earth-seeking-stronger-dome The U.S. government is set to inject $1.6 billion into USA Rare Earth for an equity stake and loans, aiming to expand domestic rare earth and magnet production and reduce reliance on foreign supply. Sun, 25 Jan 2026 14:14:05 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-25-storm-fern-delivers-economic-shock-mass-flight-cancellations-outages-a https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-25-storm-fern-delivers-economic-shock-mass-flight-cancellations-outages-a Beyond the weather hazards, Winter Storm Fern is delivering a broad economic hit: power failures, travel interruptions and emergency measures are slowing business activity and raising costs for utilities, airlines and local governments. Sun, 25 Jan 2026 14:07:56 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-25-trump-threatens-100-tariff-on-canadian-goods-tied-to-potential-canada- https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-25-trump-threatens-100-tariff-on-canadian-goods-tied-to-potential-canada- President Donald Trump said he would impose a 100% tariff on all Canadian imports if Canada proceeds with a trade agreement with China. The warning injected fresh uncertainty into North American trade and raised the stakes for markets already sensitive to tariff-driven volatility. Sun, 25 Jan 2026 14:03:57 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-25-netflix-boosts-warner-bros-discovery-bid-with-all-cash-offer-as-stream https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-25-netflix-boosts-warner-bros-discovery-bid-with-all-cash-offer-as-stream Netflix sweetened its proposal for Warner Bros Discovery with an all-cash structure, seeking to outflank a competing suitor and accelerate a deal that would reshape Hollywood’s power balance. Sun, 25 Jan 2026 13:58:22 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-25-wall-street-slides-after-trump-ties-new-tariffs-on-eight-european-coun https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-25-wall-street-slides-after-trump-ties-new-tariffs-on-eight-european-coun U.S. stocks fell sharply after President Trump announced new tariffs on imports from eight European countries, adding to market uncertainty and stoking fears of retaliation and prolonged trade friction. Sun, 25 Jan 2026 13:54:09 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-25-budget-office-projects-federal-reserve-rate-cuts-in-2026-while-longer- https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-25-budget-office-projects-federal-reserve-rate-cuts-in-2026-while-longer- New projections from the Congressional Budget Office anticipate the Federal Reserve will cut short-term rates in 2026, while the benchmark 10-year Treasury yield gradually rises, a mix that could keep borrowing costs elevated for mortgages even as policy rates move down. Sun, 25 Jan 2026 13:51:00 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-25-markets-slide-after-tariff-threats-highlighting-trade-risk-jitters-acr https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-25-markets-slide-after-tariff-threats-highlighting-trade-risk-jitters-acr A sharp drop in U.S. stocks underscores how quickly trade and tariff threats can rattle markets, with investors reacting to renewed uncertainty around policy and global relationships. Sun, 25 Jan 2026 12:46:43 GMT https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-25-u-s-to-invest-1-6bn-in-usa-rare-earth-to-bolster-domestic-supply-of-cr https://africandailypost.com/a/business-2026-01-25-u-s-to-invest-1-6bn-in-usa-rare-earth-to-bolster-domestic-supply-of-cr The Trump administration is preparing a major investment package for USA Rare Earth, aiming to strengthen U.S. production of rare earths used in defense and semiconductors and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains. Sun, 25 Jan 2026 08:22:18 GMT