Dame Julia Hoggett, chief executive of the London Stock Exchange, said the UK must create clearer incentives for companies to list shares locally rather than abroad. In an interview with the BBC's Big Boss podcast, she argued that without structural changes, major firms will continue to choose overseas markets for growth, weakening the domestic economy through lost tax revenue and lower business valuations. The LSE's main market comprises roughly 930 companies valued at about £4.9 trillion, with nearly 40% being international firms from over 80 countries. Last year, only 23 initial public offerings raised £2.1bn on the London market, compared to 354 IPOs in the US that raised $44bn. Several high-profile firms, including Just Eat, Tui, and Flutter, have delisted or relocated to exchanges in Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and New York. Dame Julia noted that negative sentiment about the UK market, often amplified abroad, has contributed to this trend, and emphasized the need for the government to 'stop throwing shade' at the country's prospects. She specifically proposed removing the 0.5% tax on purchases of UK shares and reintroducing tax credits for domestic investment, measures previously available until 2016. The Confederation of British Industry has echoed these calls, urging lighter regulation and better investor incentives. The government has not indicated whether stock market reforms will feature in upcoming fiscal plans, stating only that tax decisions are subject to formal budget processes.

Brent crude futures gained $1.33, or 1.33%, to $101.53 per barrel by 0116 GMT on Thursday, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose $1.11, or 1.26%, to $89.39. The move followed heightened concerns over supply disruptions in the Gulf region, where attacks on commercial vessels have intensified in recent weeks.

The latest incident involved a tanker north of Qatar that was struck by multiple projectiles, resulting in casualties, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but regional authorities have reported a series of similar assaults on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

The frequency of such assaults has risen as the conflict between Israel and Iran enters its eighth month. Although the Strait of Hormuz historically carries roughly 20% of global oil and fuel shipments, recent weeks have seen a spike in attacks targeting tankers and cargo vessels. Analysts note that increased export volumes from Gulf producers have coincided with higher operational risks and costs for maritime crews.

Daniel Hynes, senior commodity strategist at ANZ, observed that producers appear willing to accept the risk of vessel damage because alternative export routes are limited. He added that the International Energy Agency’s planned oil stock release is expected to draw from existing reserves rather than represent a new draw on strategic inventories.

US crude inventories declined by 3.2 million barrels to 424.1 million barrels during the week ending October 2, according to the Energy Information Administration. The draw exceeded analyst expectations of a 1.7 million-barrel decrease. Distillate fuel stocks, including diesel and jet fuel, fell by 42,000 barrels to 105.14 million barrels, marking levels below historical averages for this time of year.

These supply dynamics have contributed to upward pressure on oil prices, even as global markets monitor the impact of coordinated inventory releases aimed at stabilizing fuel costs.

McDonald's is facing a federal lawsuit that alleges the company used an artificial intelligence system to set menu prices across independently owned franchises, potentially violating antitrust laws and driving up costs for consumers.

The complaint, filed on 2 October in a Chicago federal court, claims the AI tool collected nonpublic sales and pricing data from thousands of restaurants and used that information to coordinate pricing in a way that could suppress competition. Prosecutors argue that such coordination, even if conducted through a third‑party platform, falls under illegal price‑fixing under U.S. antitrust statutes.

Most McDonald's locations in the United States are owned by independent franchisees who normally set their own prices according to company policy. The lawsuit alleges that the AI system effectively overrode that independence by feeding franchisees algorithmic recommendations that were tied to data from other locations, creating a de‑facto pricing cartel.

A McDonald's spokesperson responded that the complaint contains inaccuracies and that the company will defend itself vigorously. The company maintains that AI does not set menu prices; instead, individual franchisees decide on pricing, and any optional tools are merely informational aids that franchisees may choose to use.

Reuters previously reported that some franchise owners felt pressured to adopt the AI pricing tool and to document any deviations from its suggestions. McDonald's contested that characterization, calling the report speculative and uninformed.

The case was initiated by Michael Thomas, an Illinois resident who frequently purchases a Quarter Pounder with cheese, fries and a Coke. Thomas noted that the price of that meal varied within his DeKalb neighborhood, prompting him to file the lawsuit on behalf of similarly situated customers. His attorney did not respond to a request for comment.

Other customers have observed price differences across locations. Chukwama Okeke, a 43‑year‑old patron in Manhattan’s financial district, said a value meal costing about $15 in that area was priced near $9 at a nearby Crown Heights outlet. He suggested that higher foot traffic might be linked to higher prices.

Beatriz Milander, a 27‑year‑old customer, reported paying $11.51 for a snack wrap, small fries and an iced coffee in the financial district, while noting that prices in her Bronx neighborhood were generally comparable but had risen slightly in recent months.

Experts have warned that AI‑driven pricing mechanisms could exacerbate the nation’s affordability challenges, making everyday items more expensive for consumers. Lindsay Owens, director of the think tank Groundwork Collaborative, said that at least 90 pieces of legislation have been introduced across the United States this year to curb algorithmic price‑fixing practices.

McDonald's acquired Dynamic Yield, an AI company, in 2019, but the chain has repeatedly denied using AI to set menu prices. In a statement released on 1 October, the day before the lawsuit was filed, the company described its pricing tool as a source of information that franchisees may use at their discretion, emphasizing that it does not automate or coordinate pricing decisions.

The fast‑food chain has faced scrutiny over its pricing in recent years, including a 2023 viral incident involving an $18 Big Mac meal in Connecticut. The franchisee of that location alleged that the AI pricing suggestion led to the elevated price, a claim that McDonald's has not confirmed.

According to a fact sheet the company published in 2024, the average price of a McDonald's menu item increased by roughly 40 % between 2019 and 2024.