Japanese automaker Honda Motor is expanding its global sustainability footprint by entering India’s distributed clean energy sector for the first time.

The company has taken an equity stake in OMC Power, a renewable energy services provider backed by Mitsui & Co. and Chubu Electric Power, to jointly develop storage-based clean power solutions.

The partnership marks a strategic move for Honda to extend the lifecycle of electric-vehicle batteries while contributing to rural electrification and energy resilience across India.

The project, due to begin in January 2026, aligns with global trends in circular battery use and decentralised grid systems.

Japan-India collaboration to boost decentralised energy

Honda’s investment in OMC Power marks a rare example of a Japanese automaker directly participating in India’s distributed renewable energy market — a sector traditionally led by domestic clean-tech firms.

OMC Power operates over 500 renewable energy plants across northern and central India, providing electricity to telecom operators, healthcare facilities, small and medium enterprises, and rural households through mini-grids and battery storage units.

Distributed energy systems are designed to serve specific sites or regions and can function either independently or in connection with national grids, improving energy access in remote areas.

With Honda’s entry, the collaboration adds global expertise in battery engineering to India’s growing network of localised renewable energy providers.

Giving used EV batteries a second life

The core of the initiative lies in repurposing Honda’s detachable and portable EV batteries, originally designed for its two- and three-wheeler vehicles.

These used batteries will be refurbished and redeployed by OMC Power as storage units for rural mini-grids, helping to stabilise power supply and cut costs for small businesses.

By integrating Honda’s battery technology into existing clean-energy infrastructure, the partnership supports a circular energy model, extending the operational life of electric-vehicle batteries beyond transportation use.

This also reduces the environmental footprint associated with lithium-ion battery production, addressing one of the most pressing challenges in the transition to electric mobility: battery waste and recycling.

Rural businesses to benefit from clean power storage

The project, set to commence operations in early 2026, aims to make renewable electricity more reliable and affordable for rural entrepreneurs and micro-industries.

Many of these enterprises face frequent power cuts and limited access to the national grid, constraining productivity and growth.

Through energy storage, mini-grid systems can maintain supply continuity during outages or low generation periods.

Honda’s repurposed batteries will store excess solar energy generated during the day, which can later be used to power rural homes, clinics, telecom towers, and small factories after sunset.

For OMC Power, the collaboration represents a step toward scaling up clean energy storage capabilities while cutting operational costs linked to diesel generators and grid disruptions.

Honda’s first investment in India’s distributed energy sector

Although Honda did not disclose the size of its equity stake, the deal underscores its commitment to sustainability-driven innovation in emerging markets.

This is the company’s first investment in India’s distributed clean-energy industry, building on its global ambition to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

Mitsui & Co and Chubu Electric Power, both investors in OMC Power, are expected to contribute to the venture’s technical and financial planning.

The move also signals rising foreign investor confidence in India’s renewable energy transition, with growing emphasis on energy storage technologies capable of balancing fluctuating solar and wind supply.

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PayPal stock remains in a tight range this month as traders waited for the upcoming earnings, which will provide more color on its long-running turnaround. PYPL was trading at $69.7, down by ~25% from its highest point this year.

PayPal faces long-term stablecoin headwinds

PayPal is one of the biggest payment processors globally. It operates a consumer and business-facing business that simplifies how people move money and pay globally. It has accumulated over 400 million customers globally. 

The company has faced major challenges in the past few years as its growth has decelerated. This explains why its stock has moved from a record high of $300 to the current $69.

PayPal is facing another major long-term challenge as the stablecoin business booms. These coins are solving one of the biggest challenges that PayPal’s retail and individual customers complain about: fees.

PayPal normally charge customers between 2% and 3% on most transactions. This means that a $10,000 transaction costs about $100. In contrast, a similar stablecoin transaction would cost almost nothing depending on the network. 

PayPal has recognized this challenge and has already launched its stablecoin: PYUSD. Recent data shows that the PYUSD has become one of the fastest-growing stablecoins in the industry. 

Its assets have jumped from below $1 billion to almost $3 billion today. This means that its stablecoin business will likely bring in over $100 million in the next 12 months.

PayPal has also launched a stablecoin payment solution that allows businesses accept these tokens. It is now offering a promotional fee of 0.99% for merchants, which is lower than its current transaction fees. 

PayPal earnings ahead

Looking ahead, the next key catalyst for the PayPal stock price is its earnings, which will come out on Tuesday. These numbers will provide more color on its stablecoin initiatives and its revenue and profitability growth. 

The 32 analysts tracked by Yahoo Finance have an average revenue estimate of $8.23 billion. The most optimistic analyst has a target of $8.47 billion. This revenue will be a 4.9% annual growth rate.

Analysts also expect that PayPal’s earnings will remain stagnate at $1.2. The annual EPS is expected to be $5.24, up from $4.65 in 2025, while the revenue will grow by 4.14% to $33.1 billion.

While PayPal is no longer a growth stock, it has two main benefits. One, it is actively reducing its outstanding shares from 1.17 billion in 2021 to 960 million today. It will likely use its strong cash generation to buy more shares over time.

The other key benefit is that its stock is a bargain. Data shows that its forward P/E multiple is 11.9, down from the S&P 500 average of 21.

PayPal stock price technical analysis

PYPL stock price chart | Source: TradingView

The daily timeframe chart shows that the PYPL stock price has remained in a tight range in the past few months. It is oscillating at the 50-day and 100-day Exponential Moving Averages (EMA).

The stock is hovering at the 38.2% Fibonacci Retracement level. It has remained inside the descending channel, which is part of a bullish flag pattern. 

Therefore, the stock will likely have a strong bullish breakout, potentially to the upper side of the descending channel at $75. 

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Shares of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) rose more than 2% on October 27 after it was revealed that Meta Platforms Inc.’s Facebook Overseas will hold a 30% stake in Mukesh Ambani-led RIL’s artificial intelligence venture.

The announcement marks a significant collaboration between India’s largest conglomerate and one of Silicon Valley’s biggest technology firms.

According to the company’s exchange filing, Reliance Intelligence, a unit of RIL, has invested ₹2 crore as the initial subscription for 2 million equity shares of ₹10 each in its subsidiary, Reliance Intelligence Enterprises Ltd (REIL).

The entity will later become the joint venture vehicle with Facebook Overseas under an amended agreement.

Both companies have committed a total initial investment of ₹855 crore (approximately $100 million), with Reliance Intelligence holding a 70% stake and Facebook Overseas owning the remaining 30%.

Partnership to power India’s AI-driven digital growth

Brokerage firm Investec described the collaboration as a “major step in India’s AI-driven digital growth.”

The joint venture combines Reliance’s vast digital and infrastructure assets with Meta’s expertise in artificial intelligence, aiming to deliver affordable, secure, and scalable AI services in India.

“This is a strategic collaboration that positions India at the forefront of applied AI,” Investec noted, adding that the companies’ complementary strengths could create a powerful ecosystem for AI development and deployment.

The announcement also reinforces Reliance’s broader ambition to transform itself from an energy giant into a diversified technology and digital powerhouse.

How Reliance’s AI business could be valued at around $30 bn by 2027

Morgan Stanley analysts estimate that Reliance could deploy between $12 billion and $15 billion toward building AI infrastructure, including a 1-gigawatt data center — one of the largest in Asia.

About 25% of the capacity will be underwritten by Reliance itself, with the remaining expected to be leased out as “Datacenter as a Service” to hyperscalers and AI model providers.

“We estimate an ROCE of approximately 11% on these initial investments, based on recent token prices from LLM providers,” said Mayank Maheshwari at Morgan Stanley.

The firm projects annual revenues of $1.5–1.6 million per megawatt for Reliance’s data center services.

According to Morgan Stanley, the valuation case for the AI vertical is compelling.

“We believe it could be valued at a minimum of 2x P/B, if not higher, considering the valuations of global peers such as GDS in Asia (US players like CoreWeave and Equinix trading at even richer multiples),” Morgan Stanley noted.

On this basis, experts project that Reliance’s AI business could be valued at around $30 billion by 2027.

Integrating AI with clean energy and telecom expansion

Reliance’s strategy rests on two interconnected tracks: expanding its AI data center capacity and leveraging its clean energy ecosystem to power these facilities sustainably.

The company plans to use its initial 100-megawatt generative AI data center capacity to serve enterprise demand while scaling toward 1 gigawatt over two years through the Meta partnership and alliances with Google and Microsoft Azure.

At the same time, Reliance is positioning its renewable energy division as a key supplier to its AI operations.

Morgan Stanley estimates that RIL will underwrite over 20 gigawatts of internal power demand to support 100 gigawatts of solar panel capacity and 30–40 gigawatt-hours of battery storage — turning the data center energy requirement into a captive market for its green energy vertical.

Market confidence and valuation outlook

The market response has been positive, with RIL shares rising after the announcement.

Data compiled by LSEG shows that 34 analysts currently rate Reliance as a “buy,” with a median price target of ₹1,680.

Whether Reliance’s AI venture achieves a $30 billion valuation will depend on execution and how successfully it captures India’s emerging AI infrastructure opportunity.

For now, investors appear optimistic that the company’s combination of deep capital access, energy infrastructure, and digital reach will help it establish a dominant position in the country’s AI ecosystem.

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Kering share price has gone parabolic in the past few months, making it one of the best-performing companies in the CAC 40 Index. It has jumped from a low of €147.20 in August to a high of €353 last week, which is a 140% jump. This article explores why the KER stock price has jumped and what to expect.

Kering share price jumped as its turnaround continues

Kering, the parent company of Gucci, Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, and Bottega Veneta, has done well this year. It has moved from being the worst-performer in the CAC 40 Index to one of the best this year. 

One of the approaches has been to divest its beauty division to L’Oreal, in a deal valued at over €4 billion. This deal included the House of Creed, a perfume maker that it bought in 2023. Also, the two companies will continue to collaborate on fragrance and beauty products for its brands like Gucci and Bottega Veneta.

In addition to this, the company sold over €1.3 billion in real estate assets. These asset sales will help to reduce its huge €9.5 billion debt.

The other thing that has boosted the Kering share price is its management change. It brought in Luca de Meo as CEO, as it seeks to change its business. De Meo was previously the CEO of Renault Group.

Most importantly, the company, under de MEO, is hoping to stabilize its key brands like Gucci and Bottega Veneta.

Kering earnings were better than expected

The Kering share price has done well after the company published earnings that were better than expected. The most recent results showed that its third-quarter revenue dropped to €3.41 billion, down from the previous €3.786 billion. 

This decline was spread across most of its businesses. Gucci sales plunged to €1.34 billion from the previous €1.64 billion. Yves Saint Laurent’s sales dropped by 4% to €620 million. On the other hand, the company’s Bottega Veneta, Other Houses, and Kering Eyewear had some modest gains during the quarter, which helped to offset the decline in Gucci’s business.

Kering stock price also rose as its Chinese business continued to stabilize. Its Asia Pacific revenue dropped by just 2% in the third quarter, much better than what analysts were expecting. 

Analysts are also banking on Demna Gvasalia, the new creative director who has been charged with reinvigorating the brand. However, his collection will come in Spring, calling for patience among investors. 

To be clear, the strong Kering stock price performance is not unique as other companies have done well. LVMH stock price has jumped by over 42% from its lowest point this year.

Similarly, Christian Dior stock price has jumped to €570, up by 37% from its lowest level this year. Burberry share price has jumped by over 116% from the year-to-date low.

Kering stock price analysis 

The weekly chart shows that the Kering stock price has done well in the past few months. It jumped from a low of €146 in April to a high of €335 this month. 

Kering stock price has moved above the 50-week and 100-week Exponential Moving Averages (EMA), which is a bullish sign. It has moved above the 23.6% fibonacci retracement. 

The Relative Strength Index and the MACD indicators have continued rising. Therefore, the stock will likely continue rising as bulls target the key resistance at €400. A drop below the support at €275 will invalidate the bullish outlook.

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Cigna Group’s decision to eliminate prescription drug rebates from many of its health plans marks one of the biggest shifts in the US pharmaceutical supply chain in decades.

The change, set to begin in 2027, according to Bloomberg, will eventually expand across its Express Scripts unit from 2028, replacing rebates with direct discounts for patients at the pharmacy counter.

The move challenges a long-standing system that has shaped how billions flow between drugmakers, insurers, and employers — and it could redefine how Americans pay for their medications.

It also aligns with President Donald Trump’s push for more transparent pricing and lower out-of-pocket costs for consumers.

What are drug rebates and why do they matter?

Pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, sit between pharmaceutical companies, pharmacies, and insurers. They negotiate which drugs are covered by insurance plans and how much they cost.

For years, PBMs have relied on rebates — payments drugmakers make to them after a prescription is filled — to secure favourable placement of medicines on insurance lists.

In 2023, the total value of these rebates and other discounts reached $356 billion, according to the Drug Channels Institute. PBMs say most of this money is passed back to employers or insurers to reduce premiums.

But critics argue that patients rarely see the savings directly, especially those on high-deductible plans who often pay full price upfront.

The system has faced growing political and regulatory pressure. Lawmakers accuse PBMs of driving up prices, while drugmakers say rebates act as hidden kickbacks.

The Federal Trade Commission is currently suing Cigna’s Express Scripts, CVS Health’s Caremark, and UnitedHealth’s Optum Rx, claiming their rebate practices inflated the price of insulin. The case is still pending.

How will Cigna’s new model work?

Under Cigna’s new model, patients will receive immediate discounts instead of waiting for rebate adjustments made months later. The rebate-free plan will initially cover about 2 million of its fully insured members in 2027.

From 2028, it will become the default option for Express Scripts clients, though they can still opt to keep rebate-based contracts.

The change does not apply to Medicare or Medicaid, which are government-run programmes. For those with high-deductible private plans, Cigna expects brand-name drugs to become roughly 30% cheaper at the point of sale.

Implementing this model means renegotiating contracts with drugmakers, employers, and health plans.

Cigna’s Express Scripts currently manages drug benefits for about 100 million members, and the company expects half of its employer and health plan clients to adopt the rebate-free model within three years.

Why is this happening now?

The Trump administration, states Bloomberg, has made dismantling the rebate system a central part of its drug-pricing reform agenda. Trump has called PBMs “middlemen” who add no real value and drive up consumer costs.

Earlier this year, Centres for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator Mehmet Oz urged PBMs to end what he described as the “rebate-slash-kickback system.”

Meanwhile, drugmakers are adapting. Companies such as Pfizer and AstraZeneca have started offering direct-to-consumer discounts on certain medicines, especially weight-loss and chronic disease drugs.

These programmes allow patients paying cash to access the same or lower prices than insurance holders.

Cigna said it will guarantee that its members never pay more than the lowest available price, including those direct cash rates.

It also plans to expand its fair reimbursement initiative for pharmacies to ensure consistent compensation under the new pricing model.

What does it mean for the broader drug market?

Cigna’s change is part of a broader effort by PBMs to stay ahead of potential regulation.

Optum Rx has already pledged to pass all rebates directly to clients, and CVS Caremark is testing models that provide rebates directly to patients at the pharmacy.

Still, rebates will not disappear overnight. Bloomberg states that Cigna expects them to remain “for the foreseeable future” but says the goal is a simpler and more transparent system.

The company has also clarified that it will no longer collect other fees from drugmakers tied to a medicine’s list price — a practice that has raised concerns about conflicts of interest.

Although eliminating rebates could affect how employers manage premium costs, Cigna said it does not expect premiums to rise.

The company believes lowering patient costs at the counter will improve medication adherence and reduce long-term healthcare expenses.

If widely adopted, Cigna’s model could set a precedent for the industry — replacing a decades-old pricing structure with one that prioritises upfront savings over back-end incentives.

For millions of Americans, it could mark the first tangible step toward genuine price transparency in prescription drugs.

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Argentina’s financial markets rallied on Monday after President Javier Milei’s party outperformed expectations in the country’s legislative elections, reigniting investor optimism about his reform agenda.

The stronger-than-forecast results offered a crucial boost to Milei’s ability to implement deep economic changes in one of South America’s most volatile economies.

Argentina’s sovereign bonds surged to record highs, while the peso stabilised, reflecting renewed faith in the administration’s fiscal overhaul and in the ongoing financial support from the United States.

Election victory fuels reform momentum

With more than 90% of votes counted, Milei’s coalition secured about 41% of the total, taking 64 of the 127 contested seats in the lower house and 13 of the 24 available in the Senate.

The result outperformed forecasts that had expected the ruling bloc to capture only about 30% of the vote.

The outcome is significant because it strengthens Milei’s control of Congress, giving his government the political backing to advance economic liberalisation, austerity measures, and deregulation plans.

The immediate market response underscored the importance of political stability to Argentina’s reform narrative.

Dollar-denominated bonds due in 2035 jumped more than 13 cents, reaching 70.34 cents on the dollar, a record high.

The rally was the steepest among emerging-market peers, driven by hopes that the government would now accelerate structural changes and unlock new sources of capital.

US-backed financing strengthens investor confidence

Investor optimism was further supported by ongoing collaboration between Buenos Aires and Washington.

Prior to the vote, the US Treasury had signed a $20 billion swap line with Argentina’s central bank to stabilise the peso and was in talks with international lenders about an additional $20 billion in financing.

That support appeared at risk if Milei failed to consolidate power, but his victory reassured markets that Washington’s backing would likely continue.

US officials had indicated their commitment was tied to the administration’s reform progress.

With Milei’s legislative gains, Argentina’s access to foreign liquidity and credit channels looks more secure.

The renewed confidence is expected to help narrow sovereign bond spreads and stabilise domestic borrowing costs.

Peso recovery and debt-market resilience

The Argentine peso, which had been under pressure in recent weeks, showed early signs of stabilisation in crypto markets on Sunday night as partial election results began to emerge.

Investors viewed the vote as a sign of reduced political risk, prompting a reversal of bearish currency positions.

The broader debt market also rebounded after a month of heavy losses triggered by concerns over Milei’s ability to pass reforms.

Yields on long-dated sovereign notes had previously surged above 17%, and the peso had fallen nearly 7% in a single session.

The latest rebound signals renewed faith in Argentina’s policy trajectory and its relationship with the International Monetary Fund, whose support remains essential for maintaining external financing.

Challenges remain despite improved sentiment

While markets celebrated the election outcome, underlying economic challenges persist.

Argentina continues to face annual inflation above 250%, a fragile fiscal position, and limited foreign-exchange reserves.

Experts note that turning electoral momentum into legislative progress will be crucial.

The success of Milei’s agenda now depends on the swift execution of spending cuts, tax reforms, and monetary adjustments designed to rein in inflation and restore competitiveness.

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Dow futures rose about 260 points, or roughly 0.5% on Monday, driven by growing optimism over a potential US-China trade deal.

This followed weekend discussions leading to a preliminary agreement to ease trade tensions, such as suspending tariffs and export restrictions.

Investor sentiment was further boosted by anticipation of the Federal Reserve’s expected interest rate cut later this week and the upcoming earnings reports from major tech firms.

The Dow’s positive futures indicated confidence in further gains after the index recently hit record highs, buoyed by easing inflation data and improved trade prospects.

5 things to know before Wall Street opens

1. A healthy rally in US stock futures came after US President Donald Trump embarked on a five-day Asia tour starting October 26, 2025, aiming to finalize a major trade deal with China.

The officials from the US and Chinese sides have already agreed on a basic framework, which would avert the planned 100% tariffs on Chinese imports set for November 1.

The deal involves suspending tariffs, resolving TikTok’s US operations sale, and delaying China’s export controls on critical minerals.

The positive developments have increased the optimism around the high-profile summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in South Korea on October 30.

2. The US government shutdown has now stretched into its 27th day on Monday, making it the second-longest in history.

Efforts in the Senate to pass a bill that would reopen the government through November 21 keep stalling along party lines, and the House isn’t even in session right now.

The stakes are getting serious: funding for food assistance programs that serve about 42 million Americans is expected to dry up starting November 1, raising fears of widespread hardship.

The shutdown is also delaying the start of open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act.

Meanwhile, President Trump is overseas on a trade trip in Asia, complicating chances of a near-term resolution. Federal workers are still going without pay, and political tensions in Washington are only getting worse.

3. Q3 2025 earnings season hit a key moment on Monday, with a wave of major companies releasing results.

So far, S&P 500 earnings are growing at about 9.2%, better than the early estimate of 7.9%. Revenue growth is strong too at 7%, the best we’ve seen since Q3 of 2022.

On Monday, companies like Waste Management, NXP Semiconductors, Cadence Design Systems, and Nucor all reported, and the trend continues: roughly 87% of firms have beaten their earnings-per-share forecasts.

The real action kicks in mid-week, when the big tech names as Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Meta, and Alphabet, all report between Wednesday and Friday.

Overall, markets are feeling upbeat, with more than three-quarters of reporting companies topping EPS expectations and earnings momentum helping push stocks higher.

4. Shares of US-listed rare earth mining companies fell sharply on Monday, as US officials indicated that China is likely to delay implementing export controls on critical minerals.

Companies like Critical Metals dropped nearly 8%, USA Rare Earth fell 7.4%, and MP Materials declined by 5.2%.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that a framework deal to prevent new tariffs and delay China’s rare earth export restrictions is expected, reflecting progress in broader US-China trade talks.

5. Global markets rallied on Monday, boosted by growing optimism around a possible US–China trade deal. In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei jumped more than 2.5% and crossed the 50,000 mark for the first time ever.

South Korea’s Kospi wasn’t far behind, rising 2.6% to a new record. China’s Shanghai Composite and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng each gained over 1%, and India’s Sensex was up about 0.6%.

Europe followed the same upbeat trend; the STOXX 600 rose around 0.3%, inching close to its all-time high.

Hopes of progress in trade talks, along with growing expectations of a US Federal Reserve rate cut, helped lift sentiment around the world, powering a broad-based market rally.

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Offshore energy firm Petrofac has filed for administration after a year of financial strain and the termination of a major contract with Dutch grid operator TenneT, putting 2,000 jobs in Scotland at risk.

The move puts one of the UK’s best-known energy engineering firms in jeopardy, although its North Sea operations will continue to operate normally.

The company confirmed that it had applied to appoint administrators for its holding entity while exploring alternative restructuring options and possible sale opportunities, Sky News said.

Petrofac said on Monday that its trading operations remain active and that it is “in close and constant dialogue with its key creditors and stakeholders as it actively pursues alternative options for the group.”

According to people close to the situation, a buyer for Petrofac’s North Sea business could emerge within days, Sky News reported.

Administrators are expected to work alongside management to preserve value, sustain operations, and maintain service delivery.

Collapse follows failed restructuring and contract cancellation

The decision to file for administration came after Dutch grid operator TenneT cancelled a major offshore wind contract with Petrofac.

The company said that the cancellation made its ongoing solvent restructuring plan “no longer deliverable in its current form.”

“Having carefully assessed the impact of TenneT’s decision, the Board has determined that the restructuring, which had last week reached an advanced stage, is no longer deliverable in its current form,” the company said.

Petrofac’s advisers at corporate finance firm Teneo are expected to oversee the administration process.

The firm added that administrators would aim to preserve operational capacity and ensure continuity across the group’s trading units.

The administration marks a sharp reversal for Petrofac, which had secured High Court approval for a restructuring plan earlier this year intended to cut debt and inject new cash.

However, the decision was later overturned, prompting new negotiations with creditors.

Once a FTSE 100 company, Petrofac faces debt and legacy challenges

Founded in Texas in 1981, Petrofac designs, constructs, and operates facilities for oil, gas, and renewables projects.

The company, headquartered in London with major offices in Aberdeen, Woking, and Great Yarmouth, employs around 7,300 people worldwide, including about 2,000 in Scotland.

Petrofac was once valued at more than £6 billion and ranked among the FTSE 100 firms.

Its decline began with a Serious Fraud Office investigation that led to a 2021 conviction for failing to prevent bribery, resulting in millions of pounds in penalties.

Since then, the company has faced mounting debt, contract delays, and rising costs that undermined its financial position.

The firm has spent much of the past year attempting to stabilise its balance sheet through debt write-offs and capital injections, but worsening conditions in the offshore energy sector and the collapse of the TenneT contract proved decisive.

A sensitive moment for UK’s North Sea policy

Petrofac’s potential collapse comes at a politically delicate time.

The firm’s troubles highlight the fragility of the North Sea supply chain as the UK debates the future of domestic oil and gas drilling.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband faces growing pressure to grant new exploration licences despite Labour’s manifesto commitment to limit such approvals.

For now, Petrofac’s operations in the North Sea will continue while administrators and potential buyers explore a solution that could preserve one of the sector’s key employers.

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ClearBank has deepened its push into digital finance by joining the Circle Network in a strategic move that brings regulated stablecoin payments to the European market.

ClearBank joins Circle’s expanding payments network

ClearBank has signed a strategic framework agreement with a subsidiary of Circle to accelerate access to MiCA-compliant stablecoins, including USD Coin (USDC) and Euro Coin (EURC).

The partnership integrates ClearBank’s cloud-native banking platform with Circle’s stablecoin infrastructure, positioning the UK-based neobank as a key player in Europe’s evolving digital payments landscape.

As one of the first European banks to join the Circle Payments Network (CPN), ClearBank will enable its institutional clients and fintech partners to mint and redeem stablecoins through Circle Mint.

This integration will help financial institutions conduct cross-border payments, manage liquidity, and perform treasury operations more efficiently, all while remaining fully compliant with the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA).

The collaboration also represents a shift in how regulated banks engage with digital assets.

Instead of issuing its own stablecoin, a plan that previously faced regulatory hurdles, ClearBank is now leveraging Circle’s established infrastructure to deliver compliant and scalable blockchain-based services.

This approach allows the bank to align with strict EU regulations while minimising risk and complexity for its partners.

Faster, compliant, and transparent transactions

Through the Circle Network, ClearBank’s clients will gain access to near-instant, multi-currency transfers backed by fully reserved stablecoins.

The use of USDC and EURC will reduce reliance on legacy correspondent banking systems that often cause delays and increase transaction costs.

The integration of blockchain transparency also ensures greater visibility into payment flows, strengthening compliance and trust across borders.

Mark Fairless, ClearBank’s Chief Executive Officer, in a joint press release, described the partnership as a “significant milestone” in the bank’s evolution.

He said joining the Circle Payments Network reflects ClearBank’s commitment to reshaping cross-border payments through innovation and regulatory integrity.

Sanja Kon, Circle’s Vice President of Partnerships and Business Development for EMEA, emphasised that the partnership will expand access to open, programmable money.

She said the integration will foster new financial services that deliver faster settlements and greater transparency for businesses and consumers across Europe.

ClearBank pushes the stablecoin frontier

The partnership’s implications extend beyond payments.

Both firms are exploring how stablecoin technology can support tokenised asset settlements and treasury operations, paving the way for new financial use cases built on blockchain rails.

By aligning its operations with MiCA standards, ClearBank is positioning itself at the forefront of Europe’s shift toward regulated digital finance.

Since Circle launched the CPN earlier in 2025, participation has grown among major fintech and banking partners, including Coinbase.

ClearBank’s entry into the network underscores the rising institutional adoption of stablecoins as a trusted mechanism for international value transfer.

For ClearBank, this collaboration signals a new chapter in its mission to modernise global finance.

By integrating with the Circle Network, the bank is not only enabling faster and more compliant cross-border transactions but also helping shape the future of money movement in Europe.

As MiCA regulations take full effect, ClearBank’s role in bridging traditional banking and blockchain innovation could set a new standard for financial infrastructure across the continent.

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Shares of US-listed rare earth mining companies fell sharply on Monday after officials in Washington indicated that China would likely delay implementing export controls on critical minerals.

The news comes as part of ongoing negotiations between the two countries aimed at finalizing a broader trade deal and easing escalating tensions over tariffs and technology restrictions.

Market reaction: rare earth miners drop

Several US-based rare earth and critical mineral producers saw their shares decline in early trading following the announcement.

Critical Metals plunged 9.8% in premarket trade, while USA Rare Earth dropped 7.8%.

MP Materials, one of the leading producers of rare earth elements in the United States, lost 5.3%, and Trilogy Metals declined by 6.3%.

Energy Fuels and NioCorp Developments also traded lower, falling 4% and 7%, respectively.

The sell-off reflected investor disappointment that potential US policy moves to counter China’s dominance in the critical minerals sector might be postponed.

China remains the global leader in rare earth production and processing, giving it significant leverage over the supply chain for materials vital to modern technologies, including electric vehicles, wind turbines, and defense systems.

Washington and Beijing seek trade compromise

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said during an interview on NBC News’ “Meet The Press” on Sunday that Washington and Beijing were nearing an agreement that would prevent the imposition of a new 100% US tariff on Chinese goods.

As part of that deal, China is expected to defer its planned export controls on rare earth minerals.

The development comes just days before a high-profile meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump, scheduled for Thursday.

President Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while traveling to Japan, said he believed the two nations were poised to “come away with” a trade deal.

“I have a lot of respect for President Xi,” Trump added, signaling optimism about the talks.

The US administration had previously threatened to impose tariffs of 100% on imports from China starting November 1, while also warning of potential export controls on what it described as “any and all critical software.”

Those measures were widely viewed as a means of pressuring Beijing to make concessions on technology transfer and market access.

China’s role in the global supply chain

Earlier this month, China introduced a new framework for restricting rare earth exports, a move that analysts interpreted as a warning to the West and a reflection of the deepening mistrust between the world’s two largest economies.

Despite that, recent developments suggest that Beijing may delay the actual enforcement of these controls as part of a temporary truce with Washington.

“Details are still limited, and nothing will be finalized until the Trump-Xi meeting,” Wolfe Research analyst Tobin Marcus said in a note to clients on October 26.

“But a renewed truce now seems near-certain, with China likely fully delaying their rare earth export controls for a year—better than the alternative of an agreement to grant licenses.”

China currently dominates the global rare earth market, accounting for roughly 70% of global production and nearly 90% of processing capacity.

While the delay in export restrictions may provide short-term relief for US manufacturers reliant on these materials, it also highlights the strategic vulnerabilities in America’s supply chain for critical minerals.

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