Wednesday 17 September 2025
The Mighty Headlines
Economics: Pound rises to two-month high against the dollar
Business and markets: Microsoft to invest $30 billion in the UK
Foreign Affairs: Denmark invests $253 million more in Greenland
Security and intelligence: UK and Philippines set to discuss troops deal
Domestic politics: UK hosts President Trump for State Visit
The Mighty Stats
FTSE = 9,195.66 (down 0.88%)
S&P 500 = 6,606.76 (down 0.13%)
Nasdaq = 22,333.96 (down 0.066%)
CAC40 = 7,818.22 (down 1%)
£1 = $1.36 / €1.15
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The Mighty Detail
Economics: The pound rose to a two-month high against the dollar yesterday.
It comes after official data showed wage growth slowing to 4.8 per cent in the UK and unemployment remaining stubborn at 4.7 per cent.
As a result, traders expect the Bank of England to hold interest rates steady on Thursday – strengthening the pound.
Business and markets: As President Trump arrived in the UK yesterday evening, Microsoft announced that it would invest more than $30 billion in the UK. The money will be spent on AI infrastructure and existing operations. It is the company’s largest ever investment in the UK.
Foreign Affairs: The Danish Government is set to invest an additional $253 million in Greenland’s healthcare and infrastructure.
The money will pay for a new air strip and a new port. It will also pay for Greenlanders requiring medical treatment in Denmark – a cost currently borne by Greenland.
It comes amid heightened tensions with the US over Greenland’s sovereignty.
Security and intelligence: The UK and the Philippines are to discuss an armed forces agreement that could see their troops stationed on each other’s territories. The Philippines already has similar agreements with the US, Australia, New Zealand and Japan and reflects growing military tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.
Domestic politics: President Trump will attend a State Banquet with the King and Queen at Windsor Castle this evening. It marks the first time a US President has been given a second State Visit. President Trump returns to the US tomorrow.
The Mighty Calendar
What’s happening today?
State Banquet for President Trump at Windsor Castle
US Federal Reserve interest rate decision – expected to fall by 0.25 basis points to a range of 4% to 4.25%
UK CPI inflation data (August) – expected to fall from 3.8% to 3.7%
Company results from: Barratt Redrow
Lookahead to tomorrow
UK PM hosts President Trump at Chequers
Bank of England interest rate decision – expected to hold steady at 4%
General strike in France
Company results from: NEXT, Capricorn Energy
The Mighty Finale
🌤️Weather today
Light rain until early afternoon in most of England. Heavy rain in northeast. High of 19C and low of 16C in London. Mostly sunny in Belfast. Light rain in Edinburgh.
✏️Life coaching quote of the day
“Mostly, the world sees you the way you see yourself”. – Lisa Nichols, motivational writer
Mighty takeaway: Do you have the confidence to be yourself or are you living your life to please other people or to “fit in”?
That’s it for this Wednesday morning. Thanks for reading!
Adios!
The Mighty Memo team