Money

Amazon to pay more than $580 million to settle tax probe in Italy

By Emilio Parodi MILAN, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Amazon has agreed with Italy's tax collection agency to pay 510 million euros ($582 million) to settle a tax dispute, two sources close to the matter said on Wednesday, in one of a number of cases involving the company in Italy. However, in an unusual development, Milan's prosecutors are in disagreement with the accord between the revenue agency and the

China's trade surplus hits record $1.08 trillion after just 11 months

China exported over $1 trillion worth of goods more than it imported for January through November, a record amount that is increasingly seen as untenable by the country's Western trading partners. We take a closer look. Also in this edition: Netflix's acquisition of Warner Bros. faces regulatory hurdles and pushback from Hollywood unions.

How to start investing: A beginner’s guide

Getting started in investing is a great way to make your money work harder for you over the long term, as investments tend to outperform cash savings

Top 3 investments that will save you $100+ every month

Saving money doesn’t have to be complicated, and this video breaks down the top three investments that can immediately cut over $100 from your monthly expenses. Each option is explained in simple terms so you can see exactly how it pays off over time. The focus is on practical upgrades that reduce bills without sacrificing comfort or convenience. You’ll learn how small changes can lead to big financial wins. It’s a straightforward guide to smarter spending and long-term savings.

Dollar recovers ground vs yen; euro steadies after inflation data

By Saqib Iqbal Ahmed NEW YORK, Dec 2 (Reuters) - The dollar regained ground against the yen, recovering from Monday's selloff, even as expectations for a December rate hike by the Bank of Japan lingered, while the euro edged up after data on Tuesday showed euro zone inflation was slightly hotter-than-expected. The greenback rose 0.3% against the yen to 156.00, after hitting a two-week low on

EU Commission aims to make Europe's financial markets more attractive

The European Commission plans to fundamentally streamline and modernize the complex financial market rules for European Union countries. The planned reforms aim to improve the competitiveness of the EU's financial markets by harmonizing regulations for trading venues and streamlining supervisory processes. This includes plans to transfer supervisor...

Ranking the world's richest people

The combined net worth of the top ten individuals totals £1.829 trillion.

£5,000 to invest? Consider 5 no-brainer dividend shares with over 20 years of growth

These UK dividend shares have some of the longest track records of consistent growth, making them a dream for passive income. The post £5,000 to invest? Consider 5 no-brainer dividend shares with over 20 years of growth appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

Savings boost as provider offers 'market leading' seven per cent interest rate account

A major provider is offering savers the chance to secure a market-leading seven per cent interest rate. A finance specialist says the deal could be a great choice for those looking to boost their cash with strong short-term growth. First Direct has launched a regular savings account offering seven per cent interest to customers of its 1st Account. ...

Why This One Mechanism Keeps Pushing the Middle Class Into Debt

Most people don’t realise that rent, interest and profits are simply different faces of the same financial engine. Whether you’re paying a landlord, a bank or a corporation, the money ultimately flows to those who already own assets. This breakdown shows how everyday spending quietly transfers wealth upward, leaving ordinary families with less room to breathe. It also explains why the system naturally widens inequality over time. Once you see the pattern, the broader economic picture becomes impossible to ignore.

BBC's £3k alert to anyone using 'pay later' schemes as accounts 'drained'

Louise Minchin said 'persistent' attempts are being made at Brits shop online in the lead-up to Christmas - but there are some red flags to easily spot crooks

US tax refunds to rise $675 on average next year; nearly 50% of Americans plan to use them for bills

Enhanced tax breaks under US President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act are expected to boost federal income tax refunds next year by hundreds of dollars, according to tax experts. Christian Floro from Principal Asset Management stated that tax refunds could increase by approximately $675 (£505), raising the average refund to nearly $3,800...

Why the rich get richer while everyone else falls behind

Wealth inequality doesn’t just mean some people have more than others—it reshapes the entire economy from top to bottom. When ownership concentrates in a small elite, ordinary workers lose the financial security that comes from holding assets, while the wealthy accumulate passive income far beyond what they could ever spend. That imbalance forces millions to rent, borrow, and pay transfer after transfer to asset-owners, even as wages stagnate and essential goods like housing and energy climb in price. Over time, spending power shifts upward to a group that barely spends, pushing industries to collapse in poorer regions and cluster around the few places rich consumers live. The result is a self-reinforcing cycle: low wages, high asset prices, mass insecurity, and a shrinking middle class struggling to survive in an economy built for someone else.

FirstGroup wins $4 billion London Overground rail contract, shares rise

Dec 10 (Reuters) - Britain's FirstGroup has been named the preferred operator for London's Overground suburban rail network in a contract worth around 3 billion pounds ($4 billion), the company said on Wednesday, sending its shares up more than 5%. Subsidiary First Rail London will take over operations from Arriva Rail London in May 2026 for an initial term of eight years, with public body

Asian shares are mixed after Fed cuts rates, pushing Wall Street near its record

Asian shares are mixed after Fed cuts rates, pushing Wall Street near its record - Asian shares are mixed after the U.S. stock market again approached its record high following the Federal Reserve’s cut in its main interest rate

Security analysis of major global banknotes

Find out which countries have the most and least counterfeited currencies, and the measures banks take to stop fake cash entering circulation.

HMRC 'get your tax right' alert to anyone with a side hustle

With Christmas around the corner, extra income from side gigs is a welcome gift. But, some people might have crossed a line that can't be ignored.

Lloyds Bank warning for customers over £50 account payments

A representative from Lloyds Bank has issued an update on the scheme.

MoneyWeek news quiz: How much can you win in Premium Bonds?

Premium Bonds, ChatGPT, and the start of the festive season all made headlines this week. How closely were you following the news?

7 things you might be wasting your money on – and 4 you should pay more for

Mortgage boost: Homebuyers can make huge savings this month ahead of Bank of England rate decision

Homeowners preparing to renew a fixed rate mortgage could save hundreds of pounds by acting before the end of December. Richard Moring, director of RM Mortgage Solutions, said December is a strong month for arranging a new deal because activity in the mortgage market typically slows. He said: "It's not a time of year that you tend to think about re...

Etoro launches paid subscription: With a debit card and cashback paid in shares is it worth joining?

The new subscription gives access to features that were previously only available to those with a balance of $25,000 or more.

Annuity rates hit 17-year high – how to lock in a deal now

Annuities provide a guaranteed income in retirement and are proving popular

33p penny stock Made Tech could be set for huge gains in 2026, if City analysts are right

This penny stock just experienced a sharp move higher. However, analysts reckon that there are plenty more gains to come in the next year or so. The post 33p penny stock Made Tech could be set for huge gains in 2026, if City analysts are right appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

Tax on rental income: What is it, calculations and how to pay

In the same way that workers must pay tax on their earnings, landlords also have to pay tax on the income they receive from tenants. From April 2027, this will get even more expensive, as the Government unveiled plans in the 2025 Budget to increase rental income tax by two percentage points. While buy-to-let investors used to pay tax on rental inco...

How I generated a 25.9% return in my SIPP in 2025 (and my strategy for 2026!)

Zaven Boyrazian managed to achieve market-beating double-digit returns in his SIPP so far in 2025. Here, he explains how and reveals his strategy for 2026. The post How I generated a 25.9% return in my SIPP in 2025 (and my strategy for 2026!) appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

FTSE 100 up as investors pin hopes on US rate cut

In London, figures showed UK construction activity fell at the fastest pace in five and a half years in November.

The BBC claims that Charles is the first billionaire king. Is it right?

“How is the Royal family making more money than ever?” asks David Dimbleby, in his new BBC documentary on the monarchy. “And are they worth it?” The programme claims that for the first time, the British monarch has private wealth exceeding £1bn, citing estimates by the Guardian that King Charles’s personal assets are worth around £1.8bn. Such claim...

This is the lie that keeps the middle class broke

They told you to chase money, to save, to invest — but never to question what money really is. The truth is, money isn’t wealth; it’s a control system. While ordinary people obsess over numbers in an account, the elite quietly accumulate real resources — land, power, and ownership. This video exposes how the obsession with money blinds men to the real game being played, and why the rich want you distracted chasing illusions.

How the Rich Profit From Your Mortgage

In today’s economy, every loan creates money - and every piece of money creates debt. When you take a mortgage, your debt becomes someone else’s asset. The banks don’t just lend money; they create it by tying your future labor to their balance sheet. The result? The rich hold the credit, the middle class holds the debt, and the house is just the illusion that keeps you working for them...

The 21 celebrity billionaires, ranked by riches

From iconic actors to legendary musicians, meet the world's billionaire celebrities.

Elon Musk's net worth surges $3B in a day to $491B after SpaceX eyes $30B IPO

Elon Musk's net worth could soar to $1 trillion (£750.6 billion) by 2033, according to reports, as the first of two vesting dates for his $1 trillion pay package approaches. His wealth remains closely linked to Tesla, alongside ventures such as xAI and SpaceX. According to The Forbes Billionaire List, Musk's net worth increased by $3.1 billion (£2....

Hairspray makes money fly?

A wild visual trick where a banknote seems to jump or float from one hand to the other after being sprayed with hairspray. The effect looks impossible and reacts just like real magic—perfect for fooling friends and grabbing attention in seconds.

Has 2025 made you richer or poorer?

A look a who is finishing the year in a strong position and who has had 12 months to forget.

New fraud checker tool launched after 800,000 people scammed

New online fraud checker tool launched after 800,000 people fall victim to scammers - The FCA want people to ensure companies they are planning to send money to are legitimate

Mortgage rates plunge at Barclays: Could you benefit from this drop?

This development follows a period of rising mortgage rates, where many UK borrowers have faced affordability pressures. With the end of the year approaching and the potential for further cuts on the horizon, mortgage advisors and homeowners alike are paying close attention to these changes, eager to secure the most competitive deals available. Barc...

Should I save or invest? Martin Lewis issues key advice

Should I save or invest? Martin Lewis issues key advice -

Money poll: Have you won prize money from Premium Bonds? Vote now

Two lucky Britons have won £1million from National Savings and Investments' (NS&I) Premium Bonds prize draw with thousands of others winning smaller amounts of cash for December 2025. According to figures published by NS&I, more than 6.1 million cash prizes worth over £403million have been won in December as savers look for non-traditional savings ...

US dollar tumbles after Fed cuts rates, Powell comments

By Gertrude Chavez-Dreyfuss, Chibuike Oguh and Laura Matthews NEW YORK, Dec 10 (Reuters) - The U.S. dollar fell against major peers including the euro, Swiss franc, and Japanese yen on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve lowered interest rates in a widely-expected move, but indicated it will likely pause its easing cycle at the next policy meeting in January. The greenback was further weighed

NI councils banked £75m windfall before agreeing inflation-busting rates hikes

An unpublicised one-off payment to councils from HMRC failed to prevent rates bills soaring

How good are public sector pensions - and should they be cut? This is Money podcast

Public sector pensions deliver a far better deal than the retirement funds most people in the private sector save into - how can we fill that gulf?

After June war with Israel, Iranians seek portable wealth as hedge against falling currency

After June war with Israel, Iranians seek portable wealth as hedge against falling currency - Iranians are turning to gold as a trusted hedge against inflation, sanctions and a weakening rial currency

IG is paying up to £1,000 when you transfer your investments - and that's not its only cashback deal

Investment platform IG is running yet another cashback deal, paying 1% on investments transferred to its platform from another provider - but only for the next few days.

Mixed day for global stocks as market digest huge Netflix deal

World stock markets gave a mixed picture on Friday, with sentiment underpinned by hopes for sustained US central bank rate cuts, but nagging inflationary worries limiting the gains in bourses that advanced. Earlier Friday in Asia, Mumbai equities won a boost from a rate cut by the Indian central bank.

What will be the real impact of £16bn of projects for Wales confirmed at the investment summit?

This week’s Wales Investment Summit arrives with a striking headline namely more than £16bn of investment and 10,000 jobs linked to projects being showcased to global investors. At first glance, it creates the impression of a transformative moment f

London housing market to strengthen as wages rise and rates fall, Berkeley says

London housing market to strengthen as wages rise and rates fall, Berkeley says - The company, which specialises in building homes in London, said the long-term outlook is ‘more positive’ particularly in the UK capital.

Bank of England: Rachel Reeves's budget will cut inflation by up to 0.5%

The Bank of England deputy governor has told MPs that Rachel Reeves's November Budget is set to push down price rises. Clare Lombardelli appeared before the Treasury committee, where she said the Chancellor's fiscal measures would reduce inflation by between 0.4 per cent and 0.5 per cent from the second quarter of 2026. She said the fall would be d...

Fashion retailer Club L London reports record £14m profit with £3.7m dividend

Accounts follow acquisition of Lavish Alice earlier this year

Budget 2025: Five tips to cut tax and boost savings in 2026

Chancellor Rachel Reeves sought to raise £26billion in tax receipts in the Budget, targeting pensioners, landlords and savers. A financial planner has set out five resolutions he says could help people reassess their finances as 2026 approaches, following a year of shifting tax rules and rising living costs. Adrian Murphy, the chief executive of Mu...

The rarest coins in Britain – and how much they could be worth if you find one

Coin collecting has been a hobby for centuries, but has become especially popular in recent years. Some have collected coins throughout their lives, while others have been handed coins which have passed down the generations. Strike it really lucky, and you could find your collection is worth a small fortune. Admittedly, this will depend on you bein...