#economic-trends

#economic-trends

According to a recent assessment, tipping in U.S. restaurants remains steady at an average of 18.8%, with full-service establishments averaging 19.3% and fast-casual spots around 15.9-16%.

Amazon Prime Day presents significant discounts, with deals reaching as high as 60% off, making it the best time to purchase items on wishlists before prices rise.

The lender's robust performance is particularly notable given the turbulent backdrop of rising business taxes, persistent global tariffs, and slower-than-expected base rate cuts.

The anticipated 'Trump bump' has ultimately given way to a 'Trump slump',” says Christine Bourron, the chief executive of Pi-eX. “Trump's 'Liberation Day' announcement introduced significant geopolitical uncertainty, casting a shadow over the global economy and unsettling buyer confidence in the art market.

"This reversal has been so fast and so dramatic that even many of the youngest mission-driven companies now look like relics of a bygone era, while the environment that spawned them feels like little more than a dream."

Google stands out as the most popular destination for academics transitioning to the private sector, with nearly 2,500 moves from academia between 2020 and 2024.

All time highs are exciting, but expected in a growing stock market. It's like saying once per summer that my tree hit a new all-time high.

In 2024, the median base salary increase for CFOs was 4%, while CEOs saw no change—mirroring 2023. In 2022, median salary increases were 3.8% for CFOs and 2.9% for CEOs.

The steep decline in manufacturing output reflects the challenges faced by the sector, including high energy costs and rising labour costs, with expectations of slowing decline ahead.

The UK tourism sector is currently facing a challenge not of over-tourism but of slower growth, despite a projected surge in visitor numbers this year.

"If there's one big theme I can point to, it's that when there is an opportunity for financing, CFOs are taking advantage of it."

The recent rise in unemployment among college graduates, reaching 6.1% for bachelor’s degree holders, underscores the need to prioritize job-ready skills over traditional education.

When it comes to retention, though, pay still matters: Randstad found a pay raise was the "top retention driver" for 79% of respondents.

The recent collision on I-580 leading to a temporary shutdown highlights ongoing traffic safety concerns and the increasing number of incidents involving large vehicles.