CANBERRA — Somewhere in Australia’s capital territory, a person is going about their day with no idea they just became a multi-millionaire.

A single player in the Australian Capital Territory held the only division one winning entry nationally in Powerball draw 1571 on Thursday, June 25, 2026. The prize: the entire $40 million jackpot. The win marks the third-largest lottery prize ever claimed in the ACT.

The winning entry was purchased from a NSW Lotteries outlet in the territory. But more than a day after the draw, the new multi-millionaire still hasn’t come forward — and lottery officials say there’s a simple reason why.

Why the winner hasn’t been told

The winning ticket is not registered with The Lott Members Club, meaning the operator has no way to contact the player directly. In other words, the phone hasn’t rung because there is no number to ring. Had the ticket been registered to a player card or online account, the holder would already have been notified automatically. Instead, officials say they are waiting for the ticket holder to check their own numbers and come forward.

The Lott is now appealing directly to the public for help closing the loop, encouraging all ACT residents and visitors who purchased an entry in Thursday’s draw to check their tickets.

Lott spokesperson Matt Hart underscored the scale of the moment for whoever is holding the winning slip. “Someone has become an overnight multi-millionaire but possibly doesn’t know it yet,” Hart said. “We can’t wait for them to discover this winning news. Just imagine how $40 million might change your life and the lives of your nearest and dearest.”

What to do if you’re holding the ticket

Officials are urging anyone who thinks they might be sitting on the winning entry to act quickly and carefully. “We’re urging all of ACT residents or visitors who purchased an entry in tonight’s draw to check their tickets,” Hart said. “If you discover you’re holding the division one winning entry, hold on tight to that ticket and phone 131 868 as soon as possible so that we can start the prize claim process.”

For anyone digging through wallets, glove boxes or kitchen drawers, the numbers to look for are specific. Thursday’s Powerball draw 1571 was won with the numbers 7, 29, 25, 18, 26, 23 and 17, plus Powerball number 16.

There’s no need to panic about a ticking clock, at least not yet. Winners in New South Wales and the ACT have six years from the draw date to claim their prize, though most players come forward far sooner — on average, within about 10 days of the draw. Unclaimed prize money eventually goes toward bonus draws or charity donations.

Far from the only winner that night

While the division one prize is grabbing headlines, the mystery ACT player was far from the only person to come out ahead in Thursday’s draw. There were 1,085,541 winners across divisions two to nine, who collectively took home more than $25.98 million.

That means well over a million tickets nationwide produced some kind of payout, even if none came close to matching the scale of the unclaimed jackpot sitting in the ACT.

A notable moment for the capital

Big lottery wins are not an everyday occurrence in the territory, which makes Thursday’s result stand out locally. The win is being described as the third biggest lottery prize ever claimed in the ACT, a notable distinction for a relatively small jurisdiction by national population standards.

The story has already prompted renewed interest in basic lottery housekeeping — namely, registering tickets so winners can actually be reached. Officials have long pointed out that registration removes the guesswork from moments exactly like this one, where a winning ticket can sit unclaimed simply because there is no way to notify the holder.

The waiting game continues

For now, the identity of the new multi-millionaire remains unknown, and authorities say there’s little more they can do beyond repeating the appeal and waiting.

It’s a scenario lottery operators have seen before: a winning combination drawn, a prize confirmed, and a recipient who has no idea their financial circumstances changed overnight. Until the ticket holder checks their numbers — whether by habit, curiosity or a friend mentioning the news — the $40 million prize will simply sit, unclaimed but accounted for, waiting for someone to realize that a routine purchase turned into a life-altering windfall.

Anyone who purchased a Powerball entry in the ACT around Thursday’s draw is being urged to check their ticket against the winning numbers as soon as possible. Should the numbers match, the next step is straightforward: hold onto the ticket securely and call The Lott directly to begin the formal prize claim process.

For everyone else in the territory who didn’t strike it lucky this time, divisions two through nine offered smaller but still meaningful payouts, a reminder that Thursday’s draw delivered winners well beyond the single ticket now anchoring this story. As for that ticket itself, its holder remains, for the moment, blissfully and obliviously $40 million richer.

If gambling has become a source of stress rather than entertainment, support is available through the National Gambling Helpline at 1800 858 858.

If we get this right, the benefits will be felt not just in boardrooms, but in communities across Wales.

Spend time with businesses across Wales and you quickly hear a consistent message. The ambition is there, the resilience is there, but too often the system makes things harder than it needs to be.

This is not about a lack of ideas or energy. It is about the everyday realities of running a business. This ranges from navigating complex processes, managing rising costs, to dealing with uncertainty that can slow decision making. For many, particularly smaller firms, these pressures are not abstract. They are immediate, practical and, at times, limiting.

If we are serious about strengthening the Welsh economy, we must focus on removing those barriers. Making it easier to do business is not a nice-to-have; it is fundamental to improving productivity, unlocking investment and creating better opportunities across our communities.

There are encouraging signs that this agenda is gaining traction. At a UK level, the creation of a Small Business Regulatory Taskforce which brings together organisations including ICAEW is a welcome step in the right direction. Its ambition to reduce the administrative burden of regulation reflects a growing recognition that the current system can be overly complex and, at times, disproportionate.

Importantly, ICAEW is playing a direct role in shaping that work. Our chief policy and communications officer, Iain Wright, has been appointed as a member of the taskforce, which brings together representatives from across industry to provide practical, evidence-based recommendations on how regulation can better support smaller businesses.

Co-chaired by the Minister for Small Business and the Federation of Small Businesses, the group is focused on identifying opportunities to streamline requirements, reduce administrative costs and unlock growth.

The taskforce is operating at pace, with an initial eight-week programme designed to gather real-world evidence and pinpoint the specific friction points that businesses encounter. ICAEW is leading work on modernising regulatory submissions, and we firmly believe that this is an area where relatively targeted reform could have a disproportionately positive impact on efficiency and compliance.

From the perspective of our members, the issues are clear. Businesses frequently point to duplication, unclear guidance and inconsistent approaches across regulators as key challenges. These are exactly the kinds of pain points that the taskforce is seeking to address and we welcome any further thoughts from our members on any specific pieces of regulation that are preventing growth.

This is not about cutting corners or diluting standards. Effective regulation is essential. But it must be designed with the end user in mind by being proportionate, transparent and straightforward to navigate.

These same themes sit at the heart of ICAEW’s manifesto for Wales. It set out, in simple terms, the issues businesses tell us are holding them back: it is too difficult, too expensive and too uncertain to do business in Wales.

The solutions we proposed before the election in Wales were equally clear. Simplify how businesses interact with government. Reduce unnecessary costs where possible. And provide greater certainty so firms can plan, invest and grow with confidence.

There is nothing theoretical about this. It is grounded in the day-to-day experiences of firms right across the country from family-run rural enterprises to larger organisations with international reach.

That is why engagement with businesses themselves will be critical to the success of the taskforce. Through our networks, we are actively encouraging members across Wales to share practical examples of regulatory burdens and targeted reforms that could ease them. The more specific those insights, the greater the opportunity to drive meaningful change.

Encouragingly, there is a strong and growing alignment between these priorities and the direction of travel in Wales. Our new government is clear in its commitment to improving productivity and driving sustainable economic growth.

That focus is the right one. Productivity is not an abstract economic term; it is the foundation of higher wages, improved living standards and stronger public services. If we want Wales to compete, attract investment and retain talent, we must continue to prioritise it.

Crucially, there is also a clear recognition that improving productivity cannot be separated from the business environment itself. Efforts to streamline processes, improve infrastructure and support enterprise all point in the same direction; creating the conditions in which businesses can thrive.

The opportunity now is to build on that intent and ensure it translates into practical, on-the-ground improvements. Because, ultimately, it is delivery that will make the difference.

Take infrastructure, for example. Businesses continue to highlight the importance of reliable transport and digital connectivity in accessing markets and attracting talent. Skills shortages also remain a significant concern, with many organisations reporting difficulties in finding the people they need to grow.

With more than 3,000 members across Wales, working in every part of the economy, we see first-hand what enables growth and what gets in the way. That insight is critical in shaping policies that are both effective and deliverable.

The broader economic context reinforces the urgency of this agenda. Business confidence in Wales has been fragile, and while there are clear strengths in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, energy and the creative industries, global uncertainty continues to weigh on investment decisions.

Against that backdrop, creating a more supportive and predictable business environment becomes even more important. It is one of the most practical levers we have to boost confidence and encourage long-term investment.

Wales has all the ingredients needed to succeed with talent, innovation, a strong sense of identity and a growing track record in key sectors. What we must ensure is that the framework around our businesses enables, rather than constrains, their ambitions.

There is no single policy that will deliver growth on its own. But making it easier to do business by simplifying processes, reducing unnecessary friction and providing greater certainty is one of the most effective steps we can take.

If we get this right, the benefits will be felt not just in boardrooms, but in communities across Wales.

• Robert Lloyd Griffiths is Wales director of the ICAEW.

Wales educates tens of thousands of talented students and graduates every year, yet only a tiny fraction ever start a business.

Over the past three weeks the UK StartUp Awards has staged 10 events celebrating more than 900 new businesses from every nation and region of the UK.

The final event for Wales, held in Cardiff on Thursday evening, was a reminder of the quality of entrepreneurs we have here in Wales.

From digital businesses and green innovators to food producers, social enterprises and young founders taking their first steps, the energy in the room was impossible to ignore.

It would be easy to come away from an evening like that feeling entirely optimistic about the future of Welsh enterprise, and, in many respects, we should.

The businesses on that stage were creative, ambitious and resilient and yet that is precisely why the wider picture is so frustrating.

Wales does not lack entrepreneurial talent, ideas or ambition, but it lacks a healthy economy that should be constantly renewing itself as new firms emerge to test ideas, create jobs, and, occasionally, grow into scale-ups and mid-sized companies that become the backbone of a stronger economy.

The official statistics show that on this most basic measure, Wales has roughly a quarter fewer businesses per 10,000 people than the UK as a whole, and that gap is one of the clearest explanations for why our economy continues to under perform.

If Wales simply matched the UK rate, we would have something in the order of 31,000 additional firms in the economy and that matters because fewer start-ups mean fewer businesses that can innovate, export and grow into the larger Welsh-owned companies we so badly need.

It would be one thing if this gap were closing, but that isn’t the case – Welsh business births are down more than 27% from a 2021 post-Covid peak, more than double the UK decline of around 13% and they are now below even their 2020 level.

The stock of active enterprises in Wales has also shrunk since 2021, meaning we are not simply starting fewer businesses than the rest of the UK, but our business base is contracting while others stabilise, which directly impacts the economy.

Matching the UK’s rate of business formation would mean roughly 4,500 more new businesses created in Wales every year, which is close to half as many again as we manage now. Simply put, if we do not have enough firms, particularly enough new and ambitious firms, then every other policy objective becomes harder to achieve.

So what can be done?

The good news is that this is not a problem that requires a decade-long commission, and there are steps Wales could take immediately.

The first is to treat our universities and colleges as engines of new firm formation rather than as bystanders in the enterprise economy.

Wales educates tens of thousands of talented students and graduates every year, yet only a tiny fraction ever start a business.

That is not because they lack imagination or ambition, but because the system rarely presents entrepreneurship as a credible route after education and a serious, properly funded national graduate and student enterprise programme could change that quickly.

The second is to make the journey from idea to investment far clearer, as too many first-time founders in Wales find the support landscape difficult to navigate.

We need accelerators, founder networks and stronger connections between new entrepreneurs and those a few years ahead of them.

Indeed, a founder who has just hired their tenth employee or raised their first investment round can often be more useful to a new entrepreneur than many business advisers.

The third is to create more first- customer opportunities as start-ups grow because people buy from them. Public bodies, large companies, universities and anchor institutions should open up more procurement opportunities to young Welsh firms.

That does not mean lowering standards, but it means making contracts accessible, breaking large opportunities into smaller lots, and actively using procurement as a tool for economic development.

The fourth is to create more physical spaces where people can take their first steps as founders and begin to believe they can start a business.

That is one of the reasons we are developing a private-sector-led entrepreneurship hub at Bodlondeb in Conwy, creating a practical place where new founders in north Wales can take the first serious steps towards starting a business.

Wales needs more of these spaces, rooted in their local communities yet connected to a wider national network of founders, investors and opportunities.

The fifth is to start much earlier, and if we want more people to start businesses in their twenties and thirties, it should be visible in schools as a normal and attainable ambition.

Young people should meet founders, work on real business challenges, understand money, markets and customers, and see entrepreneurship as one of the career routes available to them.

Finally, we need to celebrate Welsh start-ups far more loudly, as people are more likely to start businesses when they see others like them doing so.

Certainly, our event in Cardiff showed what already exists in Wales, namely brilliant founders building serious businesses, often without enough recognition – we just need to make those stories visible throughout the year.

None of this is beyond us, and it doesn’t require Wales to copy Silicon Valley or pretend to be somewhere it is not but requires us to recognise that our economic future will be largely built by the people already here, starting firms, solving problems, employing others and creating value in their own communities.

That is why the StartUp Awards this week mattered, as they were not just a celebration of individual start-ups, but a glimpse of what Wales could become if we took enterprise formation seriously.

The entrepreneurs, the ideas and the ambition is there, but the question is whether Wales is prepared to build the support system they need around them.

LONDON — The FTSE 100 index declined more than 0.87 percent on Friday, falling to 10,438.71 as investors weighed mixed economic signals and corporate earnings reports from major British companies.

The blue-chip index, which tracks the 100 largest companies listed on the London Stock Exchange, has shown volatility in recent trading sessions amid concerns about global growth, interest rate policies and sector-specific challenges. The decline erased some of the gains made earlier in the week as markets responded to various economic data releases.

Trading volumes remained healthy as institutional investors adjusted positions ahead of the weekend. The index traded within a range between 10,435.90 and 10,530.18 during the session, reflecting typical intraday fluctuations.

The FTSE 100’s performance contrasts with some international benchmarks, highlighting unique factors influencing UK equity markets. Domestic economic indicators and corporate results have played significant roles in recent movements.

Economic Backdrop

The United Kingdom’s economy has shown mixed signals in recent months, with moderating inflation but persistent concerns about growth and consumer spending. The Bank of England’s monetary policy decisions continue influencing market sentiment and sector performance.

Corporate earnings from major FTSE 100 constituents have delivered varied results. Companies in consumer goods, financial services and energy sectors have reported results reflecting different economic pressures and opportunities.

Global factors including trade relations, commodity prices and international central bank policies affect UK-listed companies with significant overseas exposure. Currency movements, particularly the pound’s value against the dollar and euro, influence reported earnings and competitiveness.

Sector Performance

Energy companies within the index have faced pressure from fluctuating oil prices and transition challenges in the energy sector. Their performance reflects broader market dynamics around commodity cycles and environmental considerations.

Financial services firms have navigated interest rate environments and regulatory changes. Their results provide insights into consumer lending trends and economic activity levels.

Consumer goods and retail companies have dealt with cost-of-living pressures and changing shopping behaviors. Their performance indicates broader consumer confidence and spending patterns.

Technology and industrial companies have shown varied results based on global demand and supply chain conditions. Their international exposure makes them sensitive to worldwide economic developments.

Market Sentiment and Analysis

Analysts have noted the FTSE 100’s relative underperformance compared to some international indices. The index’s composition, with significant representation from traditional sectors, has influenced its returns relative to technology-heavy benchmarks.

Investor sentiment has been cautious amid uncertainty about economic growth trajectories and monetary policy directions. The Bank of England’s communications have been closely watched for signals about future rate decisions.

The index’s dividend yield continues attracting income-focused investors. Many FTSE 100 companies maintain strong payout records, providing reliable returns in uncertain market conditions.

Investment Considerations

The FTSE 100 offers exposure to established British companies with global operations. Its composition provides diversification across traditional industries and some growth sectors.

Risks include economic slowdowns affecting corporate earnings, geopolitical developments impacting international operations and sector-specific challenges. The index’s sensitivity to commodity prices and currency movements requires careful consideration.

Longer-term investors often view the FTSE 100 as a stable component of diversified portfolios. Its historical performance and dividend characteristics support its role in long-term investment strategies.

Active management and sector rotation strategies can help navigate the index’s cyclical nature. Understanding individual company fundamentals remains important for stock selection within the benchmark.

Broader UK Market Context

The London Stock Exchange serves as a key international financial center with companies from various sectors and global reach. Its performance reflects both domestic economic conditions and international developments.

Alternative UK indices like the FTSE 250 provide exposure to smaller companies with different characteristics and growth profiles. The relationship between large and small-cap performance offers insights into market sentiment.

Regulatory environment and government policies continue influencing corporate strategies and investor decisions. Changes in taxation, trade agreements and business regulations affect company operations and valuations.

Future Outlook

As the year progresses, attention will focus on corporate earnings, economic data releases and central bank decisions. These factors will influence whether the FTSE 100 can regain lost ground and establish new highs.

The index’s performance will continue reflecting the health of major British companies and overall economic conditions. Its movements remain closely watched by investors, policymakers and the public.

The FTSE 100’s ability to navigate current challenges while positioning for future growth will determine its trajectory. Corporate innovation and economic resilience support positive long-term outlooks.

Market volatility is expected to continue as various factors influence investor sentiment. The index’s historical performance suggests capacity for recovery and advancement over time.

The milestone movements and daily fluctuations of the FTSE 100 serve as barometers for UK economic health and global market sentiment. Its role as a benchmark remains important for investors and analysts worldwide.

NEW YORK — As investors look toward 2026, technology giants Nvidia, Amazon, Alphabet and SpaceX represent distinct opportunities across artificial intelligence, cloud computing, search and space exploration sectors.

Each company occupies a unique position in the evolving tech landscape, with different risk profiles, growth drivers and market dynamics. Comparing them requires examining recent performance, strategic direction and industry trends shaping their futures.

Nvidia’s AI Dominance

Nvidia has emerged as the clearest beneficiary of the artificial intelligence boom, with its GPUs powering data centers and training large language models. The company’s market capitalization has grown substantially, reflecting investor enthusiasm for its central role in the AI ecosystem.

Nvidia’s CUDA software platform creates a significant moat, making its hardware the preferred choice for AI development. Continued demand for data center infrastructure supports strong revenue growth projections.

The company’s diversification into automotive, gaming and professional visualization provides additional stability. Its ability to maintain technological leadership in semiconductors will determine long-term success.

Challenges include potential competition from custom chips developed by major tech companies and cyclical semiconductor industry patterns. Nvidia’s execution on next-generation platforms remains crucial.

Amazon’s Cloud Leadership

Amazon continues dominating cloud computing through Amazon Web Services, which provides essential infrastructure for businesses worldwide. AWS maintains significant market share and generates substantial profit margins.

The company’s e-commerce operations, while facing competition, benefit from network effects and logistical advantages. Prime membership and advertising revenue provide diversified income streams.

Amazon’s investments in artificial intelligence and logistics automation position it for continued growth. Its vast data resources and computing power support internal AI development and customer offerings.

Risks include regulatory scrutiny, competitive pressures in retail and execution challenges in new initiatives. Amazon’s ability to balance growth investments with profitability will influence investor sentiment.

Alphabet’s Search and AI Evolution

Alphabet’s Google remains the dominant search engine, generating substantial advertising revenue. The company’s AI initiatives, including Gemini models, aim to maintain leadership in an increasingly competitive landscape.

YouTube continues driving engagement and revenue growth through advertising and subscription models. The platform’s scale provides significant data advantages for AI development.

Alphabet’s “Other Bets” segment includes promising ventures in healthcare, autonomous vehicles and emerging technologies. While currently loss-making, these investments could yield substantial returns.

The company faces ongoing regulatory challenges worldwide, including antitrust concerns. Successful navigation of legal and policy environments will be important for long-term prospects.

SpaceX’s Private Market Position

SpaceX, as a private company, offers exposure through secondary market transactions and potential future public listing. Its Starlink satellite internet service has shown rapid growth and commercial potential.

The company’s reusable rocket technology has transformed space access economics, securing numerous government and commercial contracts. Starship development could enable ambitious missions to the Moon and Mars.

SpaceX’s valuation reflects its leadership in commercial spaceflight and satellite communications. Continued technical achievements and contract wins support its premium positioning.

Risks include technical development challenges, regulatory hurdles and capital requirements for ambitious projects. SpaceX’s success depends on execution across multiple complex programs.

Comparative Analysis

Nvidia offers the most direct AI exposure with proven revenue growth and market leadership. Its position in data center infrastructure provides strong near-term momentum.

Amazon combines cloud computing leadership with diversified consumer businesses, offering stability and growth potential. Its scale and ecosystem advantages provide competitive edges.

Alphabet’s search dominance and YouTube presence generate reliable cash flow while AI investments drive future growth. Regulatory risks represent a notable concern.

SpaceX provides exposure to the rapidly expanding space economy through Starlink and launch services. Its private status limits liquidity but offers potential upside from ambitious long-term vision.

Investment time horizons and risk tolerance should guide allocation decisions. Diversification across these companies could provide balanced exposure to key technology trends.

Market Trends Shaping 2026

Artificial intelligence adoption continues accelerating across industries, benefiting companies with relevant infrastructure and applications. Cloud computing remains essential for digital transformation.

Space economy growth encompasses satellite communications, launch services and exploration. Government contracts and commercial demand support expansion.

Regulatory environments for technology companies evolve globally, affecting business models and investment cases. Successful navigation of policy challenges will be crucial.

Economic conditions, including interest rates and consumer spending, influence technology investment decisions. Companies with strong balance sheets and recurring revenue maintain advantages.

Investment Considerations

Each company presents distinct risk-reward profiles for 2026. Nvidia’s AI momentum offers growth potential with valuation concerns. Amazon’s diversification provides stability with execution risks.

Alphabet’s core businesses generate cash flow while AI development drives optionality. SpaceX’s private status limits accessibility but offers unique space economy exposure.

Portfolio allocation should consider individual circumstances, time horizons and risk tolerance. Professional advice and thorough due diligence remain essential for investment decisions.

The technology sector’s rapid evolution requires continuous monitoring of competitive dynamics and technological developments. Companies demonstrating adaptability and innovation maintain advantages.

As 2026 approaches, these four companies represent significant players in transformative technology trends. Their performance will influence broader market sentiment and sector dynamics.