Microsoft is to plant a fresh flag in central London, taking the entirety of Film House, an eight-storey Art Deco landmark on Wardour Street, to serve as the principal home of its rapidly expanding UK artificial intelligence operations.

The deal underscores how the world’s deepest-pocketed technology groups are doubling down on the capital as the AI arms race intensifies. Microsoft, alongside Meta and Amazon, is committing billions of dollars to compute, talent and real estate in pursuit of a slice of what is shaping up to be the defining commercial contest of the decade.

Film House carries no small amount of cinematic provenance. Built in the 1920s as the first British outpost of French film studio Pathé, complete with private screening rooms, the building later housed HMV before serving as Nike’s UK headquarters. Texas-based developer Hines acquired the property in 2023 and has since refurbished it to court the buoyant demand for premium workspace. Tenants will find a gym, a bar, a rooftop terrace, a so-called hidden courtyard, showers and changing rooms, and, in a nod to the building’s heritage, a cinema in the basement.

Even with Film House secured, Microsoft is understood to be hunting for a substantially larger London headquarters to consolidate its wider workforce in the capital. Property agents suggest the company has its eye on a 300,000 sq ft footprint, three times the size of the Soho building, somewhere along the Elizabeth Line, where transport connectivity has reshaped occupier appetite.

A Microsoft spokesman declined to comment on the Film House lease but said: “We are committed to the UK and have facilities across the country. We regularly review our portfolio to make sure it meets the needs of our people and our long-term business.” Hines also declined to comment.

The American group is far from alone. Last month OpenAI signed a lease for a larger base near King’s Cross, just around the corner from rival Anthropic, which recently confirmed plans to move into the same neighbourhood. The clustering effect is unmistakable, and is rippling through the wider SME ecosystem of AI start-ups, scale-ups and supporting professional services drawn to the gravitational pull of the majors.

Mike Gedye, head of European technology leasing at CBRE, said: “We expect London’s depth of talent and established tech ecosystem to continue reinforcing its position as a global hub for technology and AI. Tech and AI businesses are making a footprint in London on a relatively small or short-term lease, but upsizing significantly within 18 to 24 months.”

That trajectory has profound implications for the capital’s commercial property market. CBRE estimates AI companies could absorb close to half of all the speculative office space currently under construction in London. Between now and 2033, the firm’s analysts forecast that AI occupiers will take up to four million sq ft of workspace, the equivalent of roughly eight Gherkins.

Not everyone is convinced the boom will hold. Some in the property industry warn that AI’s productivity gains may ultimately translate into fewer jobs across the wider economy, eroding tenant demand. Landlords, however, are betting the other way, calculating that the explosive growth of start-up technology businesses will more than compensate for any contraction at more traditional employers.

For London’s smaller technology firms, the message from Microsoft’s Soho move is clear: the capital’s AI gold rush is gathering pace, and the postcodes around it are about to get very crowded indeed.

Amy Ingham

Amy is a newly qualified journalist specialising in business journalism at Business Matters with responsibility for news content for what is now the UK’s largest print and online source of current business news.

DETROIT — Marshall Mathers, the artist known as Eminem, continues to dominate hip-hop conversations in 2026 without a new studio album or confirmed world tour, fueling intense fan speculation while focusing on merchandise, re-releases and selective live appearances that keep his legend alive more than 25 years into his career.

As of early May 2026, the 53-year-old Detroit rapper has no official tour dates listed on Ticketmaster and no confirmed release for a follow-up to 2024’s “The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce).” Yet social media and fan communities buzz daily with rumors of a potential “final ride” tour or 13th studio album, even as Eminem’s official channels emphasize catalog celebration and new collectibles.

Eminem.com recently highlighted fresh merchandise, including Stan dog tag pendants and chains launched in March, alongside the Feb. 23 re-release of “The Shady LPs” featuring “The Slim Shady LP” and “The Death of Slim Shady.” These moves keep his brand active while fans dissect every hint for signs of new music.

Catalog Strength and Recent Activity

Eminem’s enduring popularity shows in streaming and catalog performance. His “Stans” soundtrack, tied to a documentary of the same name, achieved top 10 placements on U.K. charts earlier in the year, demonstrating sustained demand for his work even without fresh material.

A January 2026 private performance at Little Caesars Arena in his hometown showcased his enduring stage power, with fans sharing clips of classics like “Stan.” He also appeared at events tied to Michigan Central Station and other Detroit milestones, reinforcing his deep local roots.

No large-scale 2026 tour has been confirmed by Eminem’s team, Live Nation or promoters. Multiple unverified social media posts and fan pages have circulated claims of “The Monster Tour,” “One Last Ride” or farewell dates across North America, Europe and beyond, but these lack official backing and Ticketmaster shows zero upcoming concerts.

Album Speculation and Industry Odds

Complex magazine gave Eminem only an 18% chance of releasing a new album in 2026 as part of its most anticipated list, reflecting cautious optimism amid his history of deliberate pacing. Reports of him working on “various projects” surfaced in legal contexts, but nothing points to an imminent drop.

Fans on Reddit and X debate possible themes for a hypothetical 2026 project, from personal reflection to cultural commentary. Past patterns suggest Eminem could surprise with quick releases after gaps, but 2026 remains uncertain.

Collaborations and fan-made tracks, including rumored or remix-style projects with Rihanna or Akon, have circulated online but remain unverified. Eminem’s last major album explored the death of his Slim Shady alter ego, leaving open questions about future creative directions.

Merchandise and Business Moves

Eminem’s official store stays active with drops like the Stan dog tag collection, appealing to dedicated collectors. The Shady LPs re-release bundled key catalog entries, introducing newer listeners to his foundational work while rewarding longtime fans.

These efforts maintain commercial momentum without the pressure of a full rollout. Eminem has long balanced selective output with strong catalog performance, a strategy that has sustained his relevance across generations.

Cultural Impact and Fan Engagement

Eminem remains one of hip-hop’s most influential figures, with a career defined by technical brilliance, controversy and resilience. His ability to spark conversation persists even in quieter periods, as seen in ongoing debates about potential political bars, personal growth or industry commentary.

Social platforms amplify every rumor. Hashtags related to 2026 tours or albums trend periodically, reflecting a global fanbase eager for more from the artist who reshaped rap with albums like “The Marshall Mathers LP” and “The Eminem Show.”

Critics and analysts note his selective live approach — favoring high-impact appearances over exhaustive treks — aligns with his career stage. Any future tour would likely command massive demand, but nothing is locked in as of May 2026.

Looking Ahead

For now, Eminem’s activity centers on curation and connection through merch, reissues and occasional performances. Fans scanning for clues will continue parsing official posts, while the artist maintains his trademark privacy amid the noise.

Whether 2026 brings a new album, a major tour or continued catalog focus remains to be seen. What is certain is Eminem’s unshakable place in music history and his ability to captivate attention with or without new releases. As summer approaches, the hip-hop world watches closely for the next move from one of its most compelling voices.

The Detroit icon’s journey from underground battle rapper to global superstar continues influencing culture. In an era of constant content, Eminem’s measured pace reminds fans that quality and timing often matter more than frequency. As speculation swirls, one thing holds: when Slim Shady decides to speak — or perform — again, the world will listen.

Listen below or on the go via Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Pinterest (PINS) jumps on strong results, above-expectation Q2 sales forecast. (00:14) Palantir Technologies (PLTR) perks up as Q1 results, guidance top Wall Street’s forecast. (01:08) DOJ confirms antitrust investigation into meatpacking industry – reports. (02:26)

This is an abridged transcript.

Shares of Pinterest (PINS) are up over 16% premarket after the company posted first-quarter results above Wall Street estimates, coupled with an above-expectation sales forecast.

The company posted revenue of $1B, a growth of 17% Y/Y, compared to consensus of $968.12M. It earned an adjusted profit of $0.27 per share, beating consensus by $0.05.

Global Monthly Active Users increased 11% year over year to 631 million, representing its tenth consecutive quarter of double-digit user growth.

For Q2 2026, the company expects revenue to be in the range of $1.13B to $1.15B, representing 14% – 16% growth year over year. Consensus for Q2 revenue is $1.12B.

Palantir Technologies (PLTR) is down 3% premarket after rising more than 1% in extended trading on Monday.

The technology company reported first-quarter results that topped Wall Street’s estimates.

For the period ending March 31, Palantir said it earned an adjusted $0.33 per share as revenue surged 85% year-over-year to come in at $1.63B.

The company closed 206 deals worth at least $1M during the period, including 72 worth at least $5M and 47 worth at least $10M.

Analysts had expected the company to earn an adjusted $0.28 per share on $1.54B in revenue.

Looking ahead to the second-quarter of fiscal 2026, Palantir said it expects revenue to be between $1.797B and $1.801B, above the $1.68B estimate.

Julian Lin, Investing Group Leader for Best Of Breed Growth Stocks, said Palantir’s results, especially its revenue growth, continue to “defy gravity.”

“The recent volatility has allowed the stock time to grow more into its valuation—it is worth another look,” Lin said via email.

The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed that it’s probing potential antitrust violations in the meatpacking industry as domestic beef prices soar.

Bloomberg first reported late last month that the DOJ had opened a criminal probe into how meatpackers purchase cattle from ranchers. The inquiry came after President Donald Trump in November called for an investigation, accusing the industry of artificially driving up the price of beef.

Blanche said the industry is dominated by four major processors that control roughly 85% of the beef processing market. The investigation is centered on potential collusion, price fixing, and other anticompetitive conduct in the U.S. cattle and beef markets, according to Reuters report on the press conference.

Major meatpackers include Brazil’s JBS (JBS), Tyson (TSN), Cargill, and National Beef. Spokespersons for JBS, Tyson, Cargill, and National Beef didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment from Bloomberg.

What’s Trending on Seeking Alpha

Apple weighs using Intel and Samsung to build main device chips, Bloomberg reports

AI cloud providers gain ground as Micron makes lone jump among chip stocks

Tesla’s FSD push in Europe hits roadblocks – report

Catalyst watch:

• American Express (AXP) will hold its annual shareholder meeting.

• The three-day CoinDesk Consensus conference will begin. Notable speakers during the event include Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, Strategy (MSTR) Executive Chairman Michael Saylor, and Cloudflare (NET) Chief Strategy Officer Stephanie Cohen.

Stock index futures rise as investors look ahead to a batch of economic reports, including labor data.

Crude oil is down 2% at $104. Bitcoin is up 1% at $80,000. Gold is up 0.7% at $4,555.

The FTSE 100 is down 1% and the DAX is up 0.9%.

The biggest movers for the day premarket: Duolingo (DUOL) -13% – Shares dipped despite better-than-expected Q1 results, as a softer growth outlook and higher investments weighed on sentiment.

Economic calendar:

• 10:00 am New Home Sales

• 10:00 am JOLTS

In a regulatory filing, HFCL said that it, along with its material subsidiary HTL Limited, secured purchase orders from a leading private domestic telecom service provider for the supply of optical fiber cables. The orders will be executed under standard commercial contract conditions and are scheduled for completion by August 2026.

The company will supply optical fiber cables tailored to customer specifications, reinforcing its role in India’s telecom infrastructure supply chain.

HFCL noted that the deal reflects continued confidence from telecom customers in its manufacturing strength, technological capabilities, and product quality. The promoter and promoter group have no interest in the awarding entity, the company clarified.

The latest win adds to HFCL’s order book momentum as demand for optical fiber infrastructure continues to grow amid ongoing telecom network expansion across the country.

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HFCL is currently valued at a market capitalisation of approximately Rs 19,783.04 crore. Over the past 52 weeks, the stock has touched a high of Rs 131.00 and a low of Rs 59.82,
From a valuation standpoint, HFCL is trading at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 61.88, while its price-to-book (P/B) ratio stands at 4.41.On the technical front, the stock’s 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) is at 87.7, a level typically considered strongly overbought (above 80), suggesting the possibility of short-term profit booking or a pullback.

Despite this, the broader trend remains strong, with HFCL trading above all 8 key simple moving averages (SMAs), indicating a firmly bullish technical structure.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)