Monday 27 April 2026
The Mighty Headlines
Economics: US Fed, BoE and ECB interest rate decisions this week
Business and markets: Google to invest up to $40 billion in Anthropic
Foreign affairs: Germany’s far-right AfD party increases to 28% in new poll
Security and intelligence: Mali’s defence minister killed in suicide bombing
UK affairs: The King and Queen Camilla begin US State Visit
The Mighty Stats
FTSE = 10,379.08 (down 0.75%)
S&P 500 = 7,165.08 (up 0.8%)
Nasdaq = 24,836.60 (up 1.63%)
Stoxx 600 = 610.65 (down 0.58%)
£1 = $1.35 / €1.15
Lab / Con / Reform / Green = 19 / 17 / 28 / 15 per cent (Opinium, 22-24 April)
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The Mighty Detail
Economics: The Bank of England, the European Central Bank and the US Federal Reserve all announce interest rate decisions this week. The Bank of England and the ECB are expected to hold rates at 3.75 per cent and 2 per cent respectively on Thursday. The Fed is also expected to hold rates steady at its range of 3.5 to 3.75 per cent on Wednesday.
Business and markets: Google is to invest up to $40 billion in Anthropic, the AI company behind “Claude”. Claude is similar to Chat GPT but focuses on writing computer code. Google will provide $10 billion in cash and a further $30 billion if Anthropic meets certain performance targets.
Anthropic was founded in 2021 and is currently valued at around $350 billion.
Foreign affairs: A new poll conducted by INSA suggests that support for the far-right Alternative for Germany party (AfD) has reached 28 per cent for the first time. Chancellor Merz’s CDU party is on 24 per cent and the Social Democrats are on 14 per cent. Other parties have ruled out cooperation with the AfD.
Security and intelligence: The defence minister in Mali’s military government, Sadio Camara, has been killed in an apparent suicide bombing near Bamako, Mali’s capital city. The landlocked country in the west of Africa has been dealing with Islamic jihadist fighters and independence fighters for many years.
Mali is ruled by a military junta (military government) led by General Assimi Goïta, who won power in a coup in 2020.
The junta uses Russian mercenaries to help fight the violence.
UK affairs: The King and Queen Camilla begin their State Visit to the US today. The State Visit will include events marking the 250th anniversary of America’s independence from the UK and will end on Thursday. A summary of the programme of events is available on the White House website here.
The Mighty Calendar
What’s happening today?
South Africa public holiday (Freedom Day)
The King and Queen Camilla begin State Visit to the US (ends Thursday)
UN meeting reviewing the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty begins
Work and Pensions Questions in UK House of Commons
Company results from: Verizon, Domino’s Pizza (US)
Lookahead to tomorrow
Sir Keir Starmer’s former Chief of Staff, Morgan McSweeney, appears before Parliament over the Mandelson Affair
Sir Philip Barton, formed head of the Foreign Office, appears before Parliament over the Mandelson Affair
Treasury Questions in UK House of Commons
Bank of Japan interest rate decisions – set to stay at 0.75%
Company results from: Anglo America, Barclays, BP, WPP, Travis Perkins, Coca-Cola, General Motors, Starbucks
The Mighty Finale
🌤️Weather today
Potential for light rain in the north of England in the late afternoon. Dry in the south. High of 21C and low of 9C in London. Light cloud but dry in Belfast. Light rain in the afternoon in Edinburgh.
✏️Life coaching quote of the day
“When you are a young person, you are like a young creek, and you meet many rocks, many obstacles and difficulties on your way. You hurry to get past these obstacles and get to the ocean.
But as the creek moves down through the fields, it becomes larges and calmer and it can enjoy the reflection of the sky. It's wonderful. You will arrive at the sea anyway so enjoy the journey.
Enjoy the sunshine, the sunset, the moon, the birds, the trees, and the many beauties along the way. Taste every moment of your daily life.” – Thich Nhat Han, Buddhist monk
Mighty takeaway: Nothing further to add!
That’s it for this Monday morning. We’ll see you Wednesday.
Cheerio for now!
The Mighty Memo team
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