Global economy stories

Late payments now make up 37% of global pay cycles, with firms waiting 51 days on average to be paid, Sidetrade data reveals.

Holiday refunds jumped 18.1% in 2025, with each USD $1 million in refunds costing retailers about USD $1.3 million once overheads are included.

Canadian bosses bet big on AI for 2026 as global economic optimism lags, embracing autonomous agents while employees resist AI managers.

Global business travel spend hit USD $1.57 trillion in 2025, with AI-driven, intentional trips set to power faster growth into 2026.

C-suite leaders plan to double down on AI, cost cuts and flexible work by 2026, despite tight budgets and rising tech and labour pressures.

The global digital economy is forecast to surge 9.5% in 2026 to USD $28 trillion, triple the pace of overall worldwide economic growth.

Singapore retail investors back the global bull run into 2026 even as confidence at home in jobs, economy and living costs erodes.

AI-driven demand is set to unleash up to USD $3 trillion in global data centre investment, doubling capacity to 200GW by 2030.

FedEx says its Asia Pacific operations delivered USD $5.7 billion in economic impact in 2025 as it ramps up routes, tech and green investments.

Global CEOs pin 2026 hopes on APAC growth and soaring AI spend, despite geopolitical risks and investor pressure for faster returns.

Undersea fibre-optic cables, carrying 95% of international internet traffic, are expanding rapidly to support soaring AI and cloud computing data demands.

EIU unveils Viewpoint AI, a tool that uses generative AI to simplify global market insights and support strategic decision-making in over 200 markets.

Multinational US firms outperform domestic companies by 16% amid dollar volatility, but domestic businesses eye growth as interest rates fall and investment rises.

Ebury launches a mobile app enabling SMEs to manage international payments and FX on the go, offering real-time rates for over 130 currencies.

Generative AI is transforming computing and industries, urging India to boost AI research and talent to secure a leading global role.

Ransomware, a $10.5tn cybercrime industry by 2025, uses a professional economic model driving global attacks, with governments moving to curb payments.

Ransomware has evolved into a profit-centric business, driving cybercrime costs to USD $10.5 trillion and reshaping global cybersecurity risks and responses.

Manufacturers face supply chain pressures and skills shortages but embrace AI and digital tech to boost efficiency and resilience globally.

Enterprises prioritising digital sovereignty over AI and data achieve up to five times higher ROI, outperforming peers with secure, scalable AI platforms, says study.

Global business hotel bookings fell 5.35% in H1 2025, led by a 10.65% US decline amid tariff uncertainty and reduced advance planning.