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CPI slowed to 3% as expected in January, reinforcing the case for a rate cut by April, if not in March from the Bank of England.

UK inflation dropped to a 10-month low, the Office for National Statistics said Wednesday, bolstering the case for an interest-rate cut when the Bank of England meets next month. Jefferies economist Modupe Adegbembo, speaking on Bloomberg Television, forecasts 75 basis points of rate reductions in 2026. "We think growth is weaker than expected," she says. "The second factor is that we think looking at the labor market, the labor market conditions are not doing well right now."

Anna Edwards, Guy Johnson, Tom Mackenzie and Mark Cudmore break down today's key themes for analysts and investors on "Bloomberg: The Opening Trade."

Sophie Huynh, portfolio manager and strategist at BNP Paribas Asset Management, explains why the firm has had a preference for tech hardware over software stocks for over a year. "In terms of hardware, we knew that there was going to be demand for memory," Huynh explains.

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway slashed its stake in Amazon by more than 75% in the fourth quarter, while also building a stake in the New York Times, his last new bet as chief executive officer of the conglomerate. Bloomberg's Abeer Abu Omar reports.

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde is expected to step down from her role before her eight-year term ends in October 2027, according to a Financial Times report. Lagarde wants to leave before the French presidential election in April next year, which would allow French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to find her replacement together, the report said, citing an unidentified person familiar with her thoughts on the matter. It isn't clear yet when she may exit, the report said. Bloomberg's Jana Randow explains.

EV Resources (ASX:EVR) announced a technical breakthrough at its flagship Los Lirios Antimony Project, producing its first metallic antimony ingots.

Ignite (ASX:IGN) reported a statutory profit of $308,000 for the half-year ended Dec. 31, 2025, a 50% decrease compared to the previous year.

Cyclopharm (ASX:CYC) announced the approval of its flagship technology, Technegas, for clinical use at the National Institutes of Health.

Gold advanced back above $4,900 an ounce as dip-buyers snapped up the metal after a two-day drop. Meanwhile copper rose, trimming losses earlier in the week, as risk assets including equities advanced in thin holiday trading. George Cheveley, Natural Resources Portfolio Manager at Ninety One spoke to Bloomberg's Horizons Middle East and Africa anchor Joumanna Bercetche on the market performance.

Latitude66 (ASX:LAT) launched a major follow-up drilling campaign at its flagship Laverton Gold Project.

Step One Clothing (ASX:STP) reported a challenging first half for the 2026 fiscal year, characterised by a significant revenue dip and a pivot toward "resetting" its brand value.