Economy news · 15 October 2026
TSMC posts record Q3 profit as AI chip boom drives sixth straight quarterly high
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company reported Q3 2026 earnings on October 15, posting its sixth consecutive record quarterly profit on the back of AI-related chip demand.
Global shares tumble as US inflation jumps to 3.7%, denting rate-cut hopes
Stock markets across Asia and Europe fell on October 15 after US CPI data for September came in hotter than expected at 3.7%, driven by surging gasoline prices and reviving fears the Federal Reserve will stay higher for longer.
ASML books record 11.7 billion euro quarter as AI demand outruns 2027 supply
Dutch chip-equipment giant ASML reported record Q3 sales of 11.7 billion euros and nearly 5 billion euros in net profit, warning that its planned 2027 and 2028 supply will not meet customer demand driven by AI investment.
Netflix to cut 1,000 jobs in biggest layoff round in years
Netflix is laying off around 1,000 employees, roughly 6% of its global workforce, in its deepest cuts in four years as streaming competition and slower growth bite.
EU leaders open Brussels summit focused on energy prices and competitiveness
A two-day European Council summit opened in Brussels on October 15, with EU leaders set to agree short-term measures on high energy prices and endorse a new One Europe, One Market competitiveness agenda.
IMF-World Bank meetings in Bangkok: resilience near its limits as debt and AI dominate
At the IMF-World Bank annual meetings in Bangkok, the Fund held its 2026 global growth projection at 3.1% but warned debt, energy costs and uneven AI gains are stretching the world economy's resilience.
Chinese phone maker Transsion raises about 409 million dollars in Hong Kong listing
Africa-focused smartphone brand Transsion, maker of Tecno and Infinix handsets, listed its H-shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on October 15, with the offering valued at around 409 million dollars and the company at some 5.8 billion dollars.
Tech Mahindra's board weighs first bonus share issue in 11 years
Indian IT services group Tech Mahindra reported Q2 results on October 15 and its board was set to decide on a dividend plus the company's first bonus share issue in over a decade, with analysts expecting profit to jump 30-40% year-on-year.
Air Corsica pilots stay out as eight-day strike enters its final day
An eight-day Air Corsica pilot walkout running October 9-16 kept the Mediterranean carrier operating a sharply reduced network on October 15, cutting mainland France links at the height of the autumn travel season.
IMF cuts Gulf growth forecasts as prolonged Hormuz closure bites
On the sidelines of the Bangkok annual meetings, the IMF slashed its 2026 growth forecasts for Gulf economies, pointing to a prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz and sustained high oil-shipping risk.