Friday 6 March 2026
The Mighty Headlines
Economics: China sets lowest economic growth target since 1991
Business and markets: Berkshire Hathaway begins share buyback scheme
Foreign Affairs: Putin considers stopping flow of gas to Europe
Security and intelligence: Iran increasingly using drones over missiles
Domestic politics: UK Government publishes new immigration plans
The Mighty Stats
FTSE = 10,413.94 (down 1.45%)
S&P 500 = 6,830.71 (down 0.56%)
Nasdaq = 22,748.99 (down 0.26%)
CAC40 = 604.83 (down 1.29%)
£1 = $1.34 / €1.15
Lab / Con / Reform = 16 / 17 / 24 per cent (Find Out Now, 4 March)
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The Mighty Detail
Economics: The Chinese Government has set its lowest economic growth target for the country since 1991. The target range of 4.5 per cent to 5 per cent may be a sign that China’s current growth model is not sustainable.
China is trying to encourage more consumer spending, which is around 40 per cent of the economy compared to around 60 per cent for developed countries.
China’s Premier, Li Qiang, said yesterday that “the task of transitioning to new growth drivers is formidable”.
Business and markets: Berkshire Hathaway has begun a share buyback programme. In line with Berkshire policies, new CEO Greg Abel took the decision after considering that the stock repurchase price was below the company’s intrinsic value. The conglomerate has around $373.3 billion in cash and has recently struggled to find new investments.
Foreign Affairs: President Putin says that he is considering stopping the supply of natural gas to Europe because other markets would be “more profitable” amid the conflict in the Middle East. Putin added that there was “no political agenda – it is just business.”
European gas prices increased by around 50 per cent this week and Russian gas accounted for around 12 per cent of the EU’s total fuel imports last year.
The EU is separately banning Russian gas imports from November 2027.
Security and intelligence: Iran is increasingly using drones to hit targets in the Middle East instead of missiles. Some analysts state that the mass-produced, low-cost “Shahed-136” drones force adversaries to waste expensive interceptors to shoot them down. US Patriot missiles cost around $4 million. Shahed-136 drones cost around $20,000.
Domestic politics: The UK Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has unveiled new immigration plans inspired by policies in Denmark. Under the proposals, refugees would only be granted a temporary right to stay in the UK, there would be welfare restrictions for some asylum seekers and incentive payments to encourage others to leave.
The Mighty Calendar
What’s happening today?
Winter Paralympic Games begin
Public funeral for US civil rights activist Jesse Jackson
Rugby Six Nations: Ireland vs Wales
Company results from: Spire Healthcare
Lookahead to the weekend
Saturday
Shadow Cabinet Ministers speak at Conservative Spring Conference
President Trump due to host Latin American leaders in Miami, Florida
Rugby Six Nations: Italy vs England; Scotland vs France
Winter Paralympics focus: para alpine skiing and para biathlon
Sunday
International Women’s Day
Australian F1 Grand Prix
ICC T20 World Cup final
Crufts “Best in Show” announced
Winter Paralympics focus: para snowboarding
The Mighty Finale
🌤️Weather today
Heavy rain in the southeast of England. Drizzle in the north. Dry in the southwest. High of 14C and low of 7C in London. Bright sunshine in Belfast. Cloudy but dry in Edinburgh.
✏️Life coaching quote of the day
“Today I escaped from anxiety. Or no, I discarded it, because it was within me, in my own perceptions – not outside.” – Marcus Aurelius, ancient Roman emperor and philosopher
Mighty takeaway: You can choose to be anxious and worried or choose to set those worries free by changing your perspective.
That’s it for this morning and for this week. Thank you for reading and we hope that you enjoy the weekend!
Cheerio!
The Mighty Memo team
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