Friday 17 April 2026
The Mighty Headlines
Economics: Asia at risk from energy shocks but will lead growth in 2026
Business and markets: World’s largest chocolate maker gives profit warning
Foreign Affairs: Bulgaria holds snap election on Sunday
Security and intelligence: Israel and Lebanon agree 10-day ceasefire
Domestic politics: UK Covid-19 inquiry issues vaccine report
The Mighty Stats
FTSE = 10,589.99 (up 0.29%)
S&P 500 = 7,041.28 (up 0.26%)
Nasdaq = 24,102.70 (up 0.36%)
Stoxx 600 = 616.95 (down 0.052%)
£1 = $1.35 / €1.15
Lab / Con / Reform / Green = 17 / 18 / 21 / 18 per cent (Find Out Now, 15-16 April)
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The Mighty Detail
Economics: The IMF has said that Asia is more susceptible to energy shocks from the Iran conflict than the rest of the world. It cites Asia’s reliance on Middle Eastern oil and the fact that oil and gas amount to 4 per cent of Asia’s GDP. This is double Europe’s figure.
It added, however, that it still expects Asia to be the main driver of global growth this year, and that 70 per cent of this growth will come from India and China.
Business and markets: The world’s largest chocolate maker, Barry Callebaut, issued a profit warning yesterday. The Swiss company blamed falling cocoa prices, possible supply disruptions from the Iran conflict and overcapacity in the industry.
Cocoa prices have fallen by 41.6 per cent since January and by 57.6 per cent in the last 12 months.
Foreign Affairs: Bulgaria holds a snap election on Sunday – it’s eighth election in five years. Bulgaria’s pro-Russia former president, Rumen Radev, is leading in the opinion polls. He is running on an anti-corruption platform.
The Bulgarian Government has asked the EU for assistance to prevent foreign interference in the election.
Security and intelligence: Israel and Lebanon have agreed a 10-day ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said that it would seek the disarmament of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group and a “sustainable peace agreement” in the ongoing peace talks.
Domestic politics: A report from the UK Covid-19 inquiry has said that the rollout of vaccines in the UK was an “extraordinary feat” where risks “were carefully managed and far outweighed by the benefits”.
The inquiry also added, however, that the system of financial support for people who suffered side effects requires reform.
The Mighty Calendar
What’s happening today?
President Trump addresses Turning Point USA event, Arizona
President Erdogan of Turkey opens the Antalya Diplomacy Forum
Company results from: Ericsson
Lookahead to tomorrow
Saturday
Tweed Run 2026 (tweed-wearing cyclists’ event in London)
Housing protests in London
Guinness Women’s Six Nations Rugby 2026 – Scotland vs England; Wales vs France; Ireland vs Italy
Iran’s President Pezeshkian set to give speech marking Iran’s National Army Day
Sunday
St George’s Day
Parliamentary elections in Bulgaria
F1 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix
The Mighty Finale
🌤️Weather today
Light rain across much of England but dry in the southeast. High of 18C and low of 9C in London. Thundery showers in Belfast. Light rain in Edinburgh in the morning.
✏️Life coaching quote of the day
“Write it on your heart
that every day is the best day in the year.
He is rich who owns the day, and no one owns the day
who allows it to be invaded with fret and anxiety.
Finish every day and be done with it.
You have done what you could.
Some blunders and absurdities, no doubt crept in.
Forget them as soon as you can, tomorrow is a new day;
begin it well and serenely, with too high a spirit
to be cumbered with your old nonsense.
This new day is too dear,
with its hopes and invitations,
to waste a moment on the yesterdays.” – Ralph Waldo Emmerson, American writer
Mighty takeaway: A longer quote to digest for the weekend! Essentially, don’t dwell on yesterday, start afresh today.
That’s it for this morning and for this week. Thanks for reading and we hope you have a lovely weekend.
Cheerio!
The Mighty Memo team
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