Core Insights - The global plastics market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.6% from 2026 to 2030, with China leading the demand [1] Group 1: China's Dominance in Plastics Demand - In 2026, China's plastics demand is expected to reach 131.27 million tonnes per annum (mtpa), representing approximately 36% of global demand [2] - China's growth in plastics demand is driven by rapid urbanization, increasing consumer demand, and a robust petrochemical sector [2][3] - The country's export-driven economy heavily utilizes plastics across various sectors, including packaging, electronics, construction, and automotive [3] Group 2: Factors Supporting China's Market Leadership - The rising middle class, e-commerce growth, and ongoing infrastructure development in China are key factors boosting domestic demand for plastics [3] - Policies promoting advanced manufacturing, circular economy practices, and plastics recycling further strengthen China's position in the global market [3] Group 3: Other Key Markets - Following China, the US and India are significant consumers of plastics, with anticipated demands of 34.99 mtpa and 24.76 mtpa, respectively, in 2026 [4] - In the US, demand is primarily driven by the construction, packaging, and automotive sectors, while India's demand is fueled by urbanization, a young consumer base, and government initiatives [4]

Historically, shale and the US have been almost synonymous; shale was the silver bullet that in 2013 pushed the US from declining conventional production to global production dominance. It has since retained its top spot and its extensive geological resources continue to fuel the nation’s economy. The Energy Information Administration reports that crude oil production in the US Lower 48 shale plays increased annually by around 3% in the first half of 2025 to reach 11.1 million barrels of oil per day (mbbl ...

Core Insights - The trend of purchasing insurance through provider apps is gaining traction, indicating a shift towards digital self-service and mobile-first financial management [1][7] - The increase in app-based insurance purchasing reflects a broader consumer comfort with digital transactions, which is becoming a key strategy for customer acquisition and retention [1][7] App-Based Purchasing Trends - Motor insurance app purchases increased from 2.3% in 2021 to 6.1% in 2025, while household insurance purchases rose from 1.5% to 4% during the same period [2] - Travel insurance purchases via apps grew from 3.7% to 7.2%, and pet insurance saw significant adoption, with dog insurance rising from 8.9% to 15.1% and cat insurance from 6.9% to 15.1% [3] Digital Servicing Ecosystem - The launch of Go.Compare's new renewal-focused insurance app aims to simplify policy management and enhance consumer engagement by addressing common frustrations in insurance administration [6] - The increasing app-based purchasing behavior highlights the importance of digital servicing ecosystems alongside traditional distribution channels, suggesting that apps can enhance customer retention and simplify policy adjustments [7]

Core Insights - HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) reported that inheritance tax (IHT) receipts for April 2025–January 2026 reached £7.1 billion, an increase of approximately £100 million compared to the same period last year, indicating a continuing upward trend in IHT receipts [1] - The increase in IHT is attributed to a prolonged freeze in the nil-rate band and residence nil-rate band, along with sustained growth in property values and investment portfolios over the past decade, resulting in more families being subject to IHT [2] - The impact of IHT at a rate of 40% is significant, particularly for estates valued between £3 million and £5 million, where tax liabilities can exceed £1 million without proper planning [3] Tax Revenue Overview - HMRC's total gross receipts for the tax take and National Insurance (NI) contributions during the same period amounted to £784.9 billion, reflecting an increase of £65.6 billion compared to the previous year [3] - Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax, and NI contributions saw a combined increase of £52 billion, totaling £460.7 billion [4] - Value Added Tax (VAT) receipts rose by £9 billion to £154.3 billion, while stamp duty and related taxes increased by £1.9 billion, reaching a total of £17 billion [4] - Business tax receipts for April 2025–January 2026 were reported at £81.8 billion, marking a £1.8 billion increase from the same period last year [4]

Core Insights - Total US new light vehicle sales for February 2026 are projected to reach 1,183,000, reflecting a 3.8% decrease year-over-year [1] - The seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) for total new vehicle sales is expected to be 15.6 million units, down 0.6 million units from February 2025 [2] - New vehicle retail sales for February 2026 are projected at 931,400, a 4.6% decrease from February 2025 [2] Market Dynamics - Electric vehicle (EV) retail demand is depressed, with EVs expected to account for only 6.6% of retail sales, down 1.8 percentage points from a year ago [3] - Affordability pressure is significant, with the average monthly finance payment reaching $811, up $32 from a year ago [5] - The average interest rate for new-vehicle loans in February is 6.72%, a decrease of 31 basis points from a year ago [6] Future Outlook - An acceleration in sales pace is expected over the balance of 2026, starting with March, traditionally a high-volume sales month [4] - Competitive intensity is anticipated to rise as multiple automakers plan to increase their sales volume in 2026, despite total new vehicle sales being expected to remain similar to the previous year [6] - GlobalData forecasts US light vehicle sales at 16.2 million units in 2026, slightly down from 2025's level of 16.3 million [6]

Core Insights - Latham & Watkins and Kirkland & Ellis are the leading legal advisers in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) within the construction sector for 2025, according to GlobalData's latest league table [1] Summary by Category Deal Value - Latham & Watkins ranked first by deal value, advising on transactions worth $35 billion in 2025 [1] - Sullivan & Cromwell followed in second place with advisory services on $26.2 billion worth of deals [3] - White & Case ranked third with $23.5 billion, while Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom followed closely with $23.2 billion and $21.7 billion, respectively [4] Deal Volume - Kirkland & Ellis led in deal volume, facilitating a total of 36 transactions in 2025, maintaining its top position from 2024 despite a year-on-year drop in the total number of deals [2] - CMS ranked second in deal volume with 36 transactions, while Latham & Watkins, DLA Piper, and Baker McKenzie completed the list with 34, 30, and 26 deals, respectively [4] Notable Transactions - Latham & Watkins was involved in 14 billion-dollar deals, which significantly contributed to its top position by value [3]

Over 40% of UK consumers would be comfortable receiving an insurance quote from a chatbot, a GlobalData survey has found. Meanwhile, OpenAI has approved the first insurer AI app on ChatGPT, letting users generate personalised home insurance quotes in-chat. GlobalData’s 2025 UK Insurance Consumer Survey found that 42% of consumers would be either quite comfortable or very comfortable receiving an insurance quote from an AI chatbot. By comparison, 24.5% were neutral about the prospect, while 33.6% said they ...

Core Viewpoint - HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) in the UK is urging sole traders and landlords earning over £50,000 ($68,426) annually to prepare for the Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax, which will take effect on 6 April 2026, impacting over 860,000 individuals [1]. Group 1: MTD Implementation Details - The MTD for Income Tax will require affected individuals to maintain digital records and submit quarterly updates of income and expenses using recognized software [1]. - Free software options are available that can generate basic summaries for submission, streamlining the tax reporting process [2]. - Taxpayers will still need to file a tax return by 31 January following the tax year, but the software will retain information from quarterly updates, minimizing year-end document searches [2]. Group 2: Transition and Support - Thousands of sole traders and landlords have already participated in MTD for Income Tax, with over 12,000 quarterly updates submitted through a voluntary testing program [3]. - The first tax return under MTD, covering the 2026–27 tax year, will be due by 31 January 2028, while the 2025–26 tax return must be filed in the current format by 31 January 2027 [4]. - To facilitate the transition, HMRC will not impose penalty points for late quarterly updates during the first 12 months for those entering the regime in April 2026 [4].

GlobalData surveying has found that while traditional insurers remain the primary distribution channel for UK motor insurance, a range of alternative digital and automotive-linked channels are also used by consumers. As insurers explore embedded partnerships and digital distribution models, understanding how customers currently access cover remains critical for assessing potential future shifts in distribution strategy. GlobalData’s 2024 Emerging Trends Insurance Consumer Survey indicated that 60.2% of U ...

The law firms Sullivan & Cromwell and Kirkland & Ellis topped two league tables devised by GlobalData after analysing the M&A that took place in the consumer sector in 2025. According to GlobalData, Just Drinks’ parent, Sullivan & Cromwell headed the charts when measuring the value of transactions while Kirkland & Ellis advised on the most deals. Sullivan & Cromwell worked on deals in the consumer sector worth a cumulative $84bn. Kirkland & Ellis was appointed an adviser on 32 transactions. Aurojyoti B ...