Japan’s Exports Fell for First Time in Eight Months as Tariffs Weighed

This article dives into how self-managed super funds (SMSFs) can be used to invest in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, exploring potential advantages such as tax benefits and greater control over retirement savings. It suggests that for tech-savvy investors, this could be a way to diversify portfolios—though it likely comes with risks, given crypto’s volatility.

Editor’s Note: With crypto becoming more mainstream, people are looking for smarter ways to include it in long-term financial plans. Using an SMSF for crypto could offer perks like tax efficiency, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all strategy—readers should weigh the upsides against crypto’s wild price swings. If you’re curious about blending retirement planning with digital assets, this is worth a look.

British online grocery giant Ocado is teaming up with Spanish supermarket chain Bon Preu to build a high-tech automated warehouse in Catalonia. This futuristic fulfillment center will use robots to pack and ship groceries faster, aiming to boost efficiency for Bon Preu’s online orders. It’s part of Ocado’s push to expand its tech-driven grocery solutions across Europe.

Editor’s Note: Automated warehouses like this are becoming the new norm in grocery delivery—cutting wait times, reducing errors, and keeping up with skyrocketing demand for online shopping. For Catalonia, it means local jobs (at least in the short term) and a sign that big retailers are betting on tech to stay competitive. For shoppers? Hopefully fewer "substituted item" headaches in their next delivery.

Benteler International, a major German industrial group, just wrapped up a €600 million bond offering. Essentially, they’ve borrowed a hefty chunk of money from investors, likely to fund growth, refinance debt, or shore up their balance sheet. It’s a sign they’ve got enough market confidence to pull off a big financial move.

Editor’s Note: Big companies like Benteler don’t just casually raise €600 million—it’s a strategic play. For readers, it’s a pulse check on the health of industrial firms and the broader corporate debt market. If investors are willing to lend that much, it suggests stability (or at least optimism) in the sector. But it also means Benteler’s now on the hook for paying that back, so keep an eye on how they use the cash.

According to a Wall Street Journal report, the emergency-power system on a Boeing 787 was likely already active before an Air India flight crashed, raising fresh concerns about potential safety issues with the aircraft. Investigators are still piecing together what went wrong, but this detail suggests the plane might have been dealing with electrical problems before the incident.

Editor’s Note: Boeing has faced scrutiny over its planes' safety before, and this report adds another layer to ongoing concerns. If the emergency-power system was running before the crash, it could point to deeper technical flaws—something airlines, regulators, and passengers will want answers about. For travelers, it’s another reminder of how complex and high-stakes aviation safety really is.

BNP Paribas Exane, a major investment bank, has started covering Robertet—a French fragrance and flavor company—with an "outperform" rating. That’s analyst-speak for "we think this stock is going to do better than the market average." Essentially, they’re betting on Robertet’s growth potential, likely due to its niche in natural ingredients, which are in high demand.

Editor’s Note: For investors, this is a signal that Robertet might be worth keeping an eye on—especially if you’re into consumer goods or sustainable stocks. For everyone else, it’s a peek into how big banks view the future of companies that make the flavors in your food or the scents in your perfume. If analysts are bullish, it could mean more confidence (and maybe more investment) flowing into the sector.