Author: Business Enquirer

In its latest interim results for the six months to 31 December 2025, the UK-based construction, infrastructure and services group Kier delivered a robust set of numbers — prompting new chief executive Stuart Togwell to speak of “real energy and optimism” within the business as it positions itself for continued expansion. Financial Highlights Kier’s half-year performance reflects both steady financial progress and improved balance sheet strength: “This milestone of delivering an average net cash position is a significant moment for the Group,” Togwell said, underscoring improvements in cash flow management and operational delivery. A Record Order Book Fuels Future Visibility…

UK manufacturers are reporting a striking divergence in recent economic data: export orders across the sector reached their highest level in more than four years, yet employment in manufacturing continues to decline, pointing to a complex picture of resilience amid structural challenges. Exports Lead the Charge According to the latest S&P Global UK Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), export intakes rose sharply in February 2026, outpacing any period since mid-2021. Demand for British factory goods expanded most notably from key overseas markets including China, the European Union, the Middle East and North America, signalling renewed confidence in international trade relationships.…

In a detailed new analysis prepared for Offshore Energies UK (OEUK), energy consultancy Westwood Energy highlights the ongoing importance of UK-produced natural gas in ensuring the nation’s energy security — even as the transition to low-carbon power gathers pace. The report lays bare how domestic supplies underpin reliable energy delivery, support jobs across the country and reduce dependence on imported fuels. A Domestic Backbone Still Underpinning Supply Despite the growth of renewable generation, natural gas remains central to the UK’s energy mix, particularly for heating and electricity. Forecasts suggest that demand will remain around 53.6 billion cubic metres (bcm) in…

A tightening market for rare earth elements — the family of 17 metals essential to modern technology — is forcing a global reappraisal of strategic supply chains and accelerating efforts to diversify away from China’s long-standing dominance. Analysts warn that new supply coming online this decade, despite significant capital commitments, will not be enough to satisfy surging demand, setting the stage for geopolitical and industrial realignment. What’s Driving the Crunch? Rare earths power some of the most advanced technologies of the 21st century. They are vital components in electric-vehicle motors, permanent magnets, wind turbines, smartphones and an array of defence…

Canada’s role in critical minerals supply chains is attracting fresh global attention as countries seek to diversify away from concentrated sources and secure materials essential to the clean energy transition, high-tech manufacturing and national security. Geological Potential Meets Strategic Demand Critical minerals — such as copper, lithium, nickel, graphite and rare earth elements — are the backbone of modern technologies including electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, semiconductors and defence equipment. Driven by explosive demand for low-carbon technologies and digital infrastructure, global investment in critical minerals is projected to skyrocket over the coming decades. Canada boasts world-class geology and rich endowments…

Brazil is embarking on one of the most ambitious sustainable investment agendas in Latin America’s recent history, with government officials estimating that more than 250 billion reais — roughly $48.4 billion — could be mobilised in climate and ecological investments over President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s current four-year term. The announcement, made by Tatiana Rosito, Brazil’s former international affairs secretary at the Finance Ministry, underscores how sustainable finance — once a peripheral policy area — is now central to Brazil’s global economic strategy and its efforts to attract private capital into green sectors. A New Financial Architecture for Sustainability…

Mining stocks — once viewed as cyclical plays tied to industrial demand and commodity prices — have recently captured fresh investor interest, becoming some of the strongest performers in global equity markets. A range of macro and structural forces is driving this shift, from geopolitical uncertainty to the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) and its appetite for critical materials. A Shift in Investor Focus For the first time in decades, geopolitical tensions — rather than reducing risk appetite for resource stocks — are instead boosting mining equities. In the face of global instability, investors are increasingly allocating capital to…

Strengthening resilience in a world where vulnerability equals risk In an era of increasingly sophisticated threats, supply chains are no longer just operational networks — they’re battlegrounds. From cyber-attacks that infiltrate global systems to physical disruptions caused by natural disasters and geopolitical turmoil, the modern supply ecosystem faces risks that are complex, interconnected, and, at times, invisible until it’s too late. Against this backdrop, procurement — once narrowly focused on cost negotiation and supplier selection — is emerging as a critical line of defence. As organisations confront a new generation of supply chain attacks, procurement functions are being asked to…

The UK manufacturing sector sustained its upturn into February 2026, with companies across the country reporting rising new orders from both domestic and international markets, a sign of continued momentum in the industry’s recovery. According to the S&P Global UK Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) — a key measure of activity — the index came in at 51.7 in February, only marginally below January’s 17-month high of 51.8 but comfortably above the 50.0 threshold that signals expansion. The reading marked the fourth consecutive month of growth in factory activity. Rising Output Drives Momentum Manufacturers reported that production expanded for the…

Global financial markets reacted sharply on Monday 2 March 2026 as intensifying conflict in the Middle East drove a spike in crude oil and natural gas prices, lifting shares of major energy companies while broader indices came under pressure. The ripple effects of these developments were particularly visible on the FTSE 100, where blue-chip oil names outperformed the wider market. Energy Stocks Come to the Fore Amid fears of supply disruption linked to escalating tensions involving Iran and allied forces, oil prices — already trading at multi-month highs — saw further gains. In response, energy shares rallied strongly: Analysts described…