Business
How to Expand Right in These 3 UK Locations
Are you looking to grow your business in the coming years? There are several decisions you can make right now to increase the chances of that happening, and one of the biggest ones is choosing the right business location.
While there are 76 official cities in the UK, there are some that stand out from the crowd, some of which have been hand-picked in this article. Expanding in these cities may even help take your business from a small startup to a fully-fledged, profitable company.
Of course, you’ll need to go about it the right way, so here’s how to do it in any of these UK locations. This covers three distinct areas, all with different price points.
Balancing Opportunity with Affordability
Before you decide on the perfect city for your business, it helps to consider that you’ll need to balance opportunity with affordability. After all, some locations are far more expensive than others. As a general rule, any city in the south of England is going to be more expensive, whereas northern cities tend to come with lower office rental prices.
That’s why it’s a good idea to look at each popular city individually to weigh up what it can offer your company, alongside how affordable it is.
1. Manchester
Let’s start with a bustling city in the North West of England: Manchester. Manchester has plenty to love about it, as it’s solidified itself as the second-best city for tech companies (only falling behind London, the capital). As such, there are plenty of amazing opportunities for tech companies looking to expand – here are some ways to do it.
Choose a Flexible Workspace
In terms of affordability, Manchester is cheaper than many southern UK cities. However, because of its rapid growth, it isn’t the most affordable city in the north, and renting workspace there can get more expensive if you don’t choose the right options. The good news is that there has been a significant rise in flexible offices to rent in this well-loved city. Companies like BizSpace, Regus and Bruntwood are all providers of suitable solutions. Flexible workspaces in Manchester allow businesses to rent a space without lengthy or rigid terms, allowing for easy scalability. Plus, they tend to be more affordable than traditional office spaces (where you have to cover utility bills and internet).
Use Manchester’s Support System
Manchester has a lot to offer businesses looking to grow. For example, the GM Business Growth Hub. This is a business-to-business service in Manchester that helps firms of all sizes evolve. You can even access funding to make using this service more affordable.
This is just one of the ways Manchester stands out – it’s a collaborative, community-driven location where people like to lift one another up.
Pick the Right Manchester Location
There are several areas in Manchester that stand out for businesses wanting to grow.
- Media City: Media City sits just outside Greater Manchester in Salford. It’s a hub for all things media and tech, with major businesses like the BBC owning space there. It’s a modern area with lots of potential for anyone with innovative ideas.
- The Northern Quarter: Located in the heart of Manchester city centre, The Northern Quarter is where all the creatives make a home. There are plenty of exciting independent businesses in the area, creating a dynamic, bustling space prime for collaboration.
2. Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital of Wales, which naturally means it holds a lot of prestige and has plenty of growth opportunities for businesses. At the same time, this city offers balance, as it’s not as expensive as some other UK cities, such as London. Still, it has a high business density, great access to talent from local universities, and a thriving tech environment. Here’s how to get growth right in this location.
Use a Cardiff Growth Program
There are plenty of programs to help Cardiff-based businesses grow, such as the Business Growth Programme that helped support 75 entrepreneurs scale up their companies, with the goal of driving even more economic development in this Welsh zone. If expanding to Cardiff, keep an eye on business growth programs. They could help catapult you to success.
Use Targeted, Local Marketing
When you expand into Wales, you have the chance to target the local community with your marketing. You can advertise yourself as a business located in Cardiff, and many people will be drawn towards that. To do this, you could get in touch with Cardiff news outlets to see if they’ll run a piece on your business. Or, you can advertise in local community groups on social media.
Pick the Right Cardiff Location
If you choose Cardiff as a place for your business to grow, you have several options when it comes to the exact location.
- Central Square: As the name suggests, Central Square is located in the heart of Cardiff. It’s a premium business district that sits right next to the city’s main train station and is particularly popular with media and law businesses.
- Cardiff Bay: In past years, it was an industrial port, but now Cardiff Bay is a thriving hub for creative businesses and tourists, making it a great spot for business growth. Plus, the South Wales Metro now means that accessing Cardiff Bay is easier than ever.
3. London
It’s hard to make any top UK city list without mentioning London. While there’s no denying London comes with premium costs, it’s also worth remembering that it’s a global hub with plenty of growth for all kinds of businesses, including access to the best talent from all over the world. If you want to grow here, this is how you do it.
Utilise Public Transportation
You don’t have to be right in the centre of London to grow here. You can always use the great transportation system that London has to offer. The efficient public transport (such as the always-expanding underground network) means you can get from one area of London to another in barely any time at all. So, you could rent a space on the outskirts but still feel like you’re in the heart of this capital city.
Pick the Right London Location
- Canary Wharf: This area was known for serving big banks, but it’s now also a great hub for technology and health companies. The infrastructure is captivating, as it offers 5G connectivity, great transport links, green spaces, and historic areas all in one.
- Soho: Soho is a historic hub that has already helped catapult many creative businesses to success. It’s known as a place for film, TV, and artistic industries, so if your company wants access to creative people, it’s the place to set up space.
Worthy Mentions
Beyond these three locations, other worthy mentions include:
Aberdeen: Known as the oil capital of Europe, Aberdeen has a lot to offer beyond oil and gas. That includes industry experts, many of whom boast amazing skills in technology, research, and future energy systems. These kinds of minds can help your own business grow.
Bristol: As one of the best-known hubs of innovation and creativity, it is a fantastic location for up-and-coming creative media businesses. Thanks to its strong startup culture and sustainability focus, industries of all kinds are moving here to scale up with more confidence.
Leeds: Leeds is considered one of the fastest-growing financial and digital hubs in the country, making it a desirable option for those in the finance industry and digital marketing. This is only strengthened by the young talent coming from the universities here.
Whether you choose Manchester, Cardiff, or London, each location offers plenty of benefits to a business.
Business
You Love Quantum. You Just Don’t Want to Buy Quantum.
You Love Quantum. You Just Don’t Want to Buy Quantum.
Business
Adani Power or NTPC? Macquarie initiates coverage on 3 power stocks, hikes target prices for 3 others
Macquarie initiated coverage on JSW Energy with an ‘Outperform’ rating and a target price of Rs 720 per share, implying an upside potential of more than 28% from the stock’s previous close.
The brokerage also initiated coverage on Adani Power and Adani Energy Solutions with ‘Neutral’ ratings. It assigned a target price of Rs 230 per share to Adani Power, implying an upside of about 4%, and Rs 1,450 per share to Adani Energy Solutions, implying a downside of around 6%.
NTPC emerged as Macquarie’s top pick in the sector, followed by JSW Energy, Power Grid, Adani Green, Adani Power and Adani Energy Solutions. The brokerage raised its target price on NTPC to Rs 480 per share, indicating an upside potential of 36.5% from the previous closing price.
Macquarie also sees strong upside in Power Grid, raising its target price to Rs 400 per share, implying upside potential of about 39%. It also increased its target price for Adani Green to Rs 1,700 per share, indicating an upside of nearly 15%.
India’s power sector is undergoing dual-track evolutions
According to Macquarie, India’s power sector is evolving along two parallel tracks — coal continues to anchor baseload stability, while renewables drive incremental capacity growth.
This transition is expected to support an expansion in installed capacity from 538 GW currently to 900 GW by FY32. However, achieving this scale will require rapid deployment of 74 GW of energy storage to manage intermittency and meet peak evening demand.
“Peak power demand touched a record 271 GW in May 2026, leaving minimal supply headroom and highlighting grid stress despite adequate base capacity,” Macquarie noted.The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) expects power demand to grow at a 6% CAGR through 2030, supported by strong industrial activity, which accounts for roughly half of demand, structurally rising cooling requirements contributing more than 20% of incremental growth, and emerging high-load segments such as data centres and electrified transport.
Macquarie believes this will intensify pressure across both generation and transmission infrastructure.
The brokerage expects India to enter a transmission-led capex cycle, with an estimated US$51 billion investment requirement through FY36 to bridge the geographic mismatch between renewable-rich states and major consumption centres.
It also highlighted a structural execution gap: generation assets can typically be built in 12–18 months, while transmission infrastructure often takes 36–48 months, necessitating proactive corridor development.
Grid curtailment remains a key risk. Macquarie pointed to the loss of 2,300 GWh in late 2025, when midday solar generation exceeded the grid’s absorption capacity.
Indian discoms on the path to recovery
Macquarie also noted that India’s distribution companies (discoms) are showing signs of recovery, supported by RDSS-led investments and smart metering initiatives.
Improved billing efficiency, lower leakages and a reduction in overdue payments under the Late Payment Surcharge (LPS) mechanism indicate materially stronger financial health than in previous years, it said.
The brokerage added that regulatory tailwinds remain supportive.
“The Draft National Electricity Policy 2026 signals a fundamental shift toward market-based systems, repositioning coal as a flexible balancing resource rather than a rigid baseload source. Legislative reforms such as the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2026 and the Digital India Energy Stack aim to improve discom finances and enable peer-to-peer electricity trading,” Macquarie said.
(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)
Business
MTAR Tech shares crash 9% after 280% rally in a year. What’s spooking investors today?
According to a Bloomberg report, Crusoe Energy Systems LLC, which develops data centres for companies such as OpenAI and Microsoft, has paused work on a planned 1.8-gigawatt data centre campus in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The project was expected to be powered by 900 MW of Bloom Energy fuel cells along with grid electricity.
Notably, MTAR Tech is a critical manufacturing partner for Bloom Energy. It manufactures and fabricates critical assemblies for the US-based company. MTAR Tech’s website says that Bloom Energy’s servers are among the most efficient energy generators globally, significantly reducing electricity costs and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
For over nine years, MTAR has supplied power units, specifically hot boxes, to Bloom Energy in the US, and a major portion of its revenue comes from the US-based client. Currently, MTAR is also developing and manufacturing hydrogen boxes and electrolysers for the company.
MTAR Tech share price
MTAR Tech shares have fallen more than 13% in two days since Bloomberg’s report to trade at Rs 6,470 apiece on Thursday morning. Despite the recent downtrend, the stock has rallied 174% in 2026 so far and more than 280% in one year.
Shares of the company jumped 241% in three years and 539% in five years. MTAR Tech currently has a market capitalisation of Rs 8,450 crore.
MTAR Tech Q4 Results
MTAR Technologies earlier in May reported a sharp rise in profit for the March quarter, driven by strong growth in revenue from operations and improved operating leverage across businesses. The Hyderabad-based precision engineering company posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 44.28 crore for Q4, compared with Rs 13.72 crore in the corresponding quarter last year, marking a jump of around 223%.
Also read: MTAR Technologies Q4 Results
Revenue from operations rose sharply to Rs 306 crore in the quarter ended March 2026 from Rs 183 crore in the year-ago period, registering growth of nearly 67%. The rise was largely led by higher product sales, which came in at Rs 303 crore compared with Rs 179 crore in the same quarter last year.
(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)
Business
(VIDEO) Charles Barkley Rips Spurs for Blowing 29-Point Lead in Game 4 NBA Finals Loss
NEW YORK — Charles Barkley unleashed sharp criticism of the San Antonio Spurs after they squandered a 29-point lead in Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals, calling their second-half collapse some of the “dumbest basketball” he had ever seen as the New York Knicks completed a historic comeback victory.
The Knicks erased the massive deficit to win 107-106 on OG Anunoby’s tip-in with 1.2 seconds left, taking a 3-1 series lead. On “Inside the NBA,” Barkley did not hold back in his assessment of San Antonio’s late-game execution.
“We saw the dumbest basketball team in the history of civilization,” Barkley said. “They had a 25-point lead, took eight straight threes. Like they thought that was some of the most mismanaged stupid basketball.”
The Spurs built a commanding 81-52 lead in the third quarter but went cold, shooting just 3 for 17 from three-point range in the second half. Barkley highlighted the lack of clock management and poor shot selection as the Spurs failed to protect their advantage.
Historic Comeback Caps Dramatic Night
The Knicks’ rally is the largest comeback in NBA Finals history, surpassing the previous mark of 24 points. It was the second-largest playoff comeback ever, behind only the LA Clippers’ 31-point rally in 2019.
Jalen Brunson led New York with 36 points, while Anunoby finished with 33 and delivered the game-winner. Victor Wembanyama had 24 points and 13 rebounds for the Spurs but shot 9-for-25 from the field. De’Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper and Devin Vassell also scored in double figures, but the team’s second-half collapse proved costly.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson expressed disappointment. “We got on our heels — we missed some shots. It’s disappointing, to say the least.”
Wembanyama acknowledged the team’s lack of hunger in the second half. “I can’t really explain it right now. We clearly weren’t the most hungry in the second half.”
Inside the NBA Reaction
Barkley’s blunt critique resonated with viewers, with many agreeing the Spurs’ decision-making in the third quarter was puzzling. The Hall of Famer noted the Spurs’ repeated three-point attempts without regard for the clock, even while holding a large lead.
Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and the rest of the panel joined in the discussion, with the broadcast capturing the shock of fans and analysts alike at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks’ resilience turned a potential blowout into one of the most memorable games in Finals history.
Series Outlook Shifts Dramatically
The Knicks now hold a 3-1 lead and can clinch the championship in Game 5 on Saturday in San Antonio. A victory there would end New York’s title drought since 1973. The Spurs must win the next three games to claim the title, a daunting task against a motivated Knicks squad playing with home-court momentum in the series.
The physical nature of the series continued, with several flagrant fouls called on both sides. Wembanyama faced heightened defensive attention, while Brunson’s leadership and clutch play proved decisive once again.
Fan and Cultural Reaction
Madison Square Garden erupted as the final seconds ticked away, with fans singing “Don’t Stop Believin’” long after the game ended. Celebrities including Taylor Swift were in attendance, adding to the electric atmosphere of a night that will be remembered for years.
Social media exploded with reactions to both the comeback and Barkley’s fiery commentary. The moment has already become one of the most discussed in recent NBA history, highlighting the drama and unpredictability of playoff basketball.
Broader Context of the Finals
The 2026 NBA Finals have delivered compelling storylines, pitting the resilient Knicks against a young, talented Spurs team led by the generational talent Wembanyama. The series has featured strong individual performances and tactical battles, with Game 4 standing out as one of the most memorable.
For the Knicks, the comeback reinforces their identity as a never-quit group that has overcome significant obstacles throughout the postseason. For the Spurs, the loss represents a painful learning experience in their first Finals appearance in years.
As the series shifts back to San Antonio, the Spurs will look to regroup and extend the series, while the Knicks aim to close it out on the road. Game 5 promises another intense chapter in what has become a hard-fought and entertaining NBA Finals.
Charles Barkley’s passionate breakdown captured the frustration many felt watching the Spurs’ collapse. His comments, while blunt, reflect the high standards expected at this level of competition. The NBA world will be watching to see how both teams respond as the championship race reaches its critical stage.
The Knicks’ historic Game 4 victory has shifted momentum dramatically. With a 3-1 lead, New York is one win away from ending a long championship drought, while San Antonio faces an uphill battle to keep their title hopes alive. The coming games will test the resilience and character of both franchises in what has already become a memorable Finals series.
Business
Korea fines e-commerce giant $400m over data breach affecting millions
The record fine comes after around 37.5 million users had their private data exposed.
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Ryanair investigated over charging parents to sit with children
The UK’s competition regulator is investigating the airline over charges it imposes on parents to sit next to their child.
Business
Dividend rush! Buy these 5 Adani stocks, 4 Tata Group stocks today to lap up payout rewards
Only those shareholders who own the shares of the companies in their demat accounts as of Friday will be eligible to receive the bonus shares. Due to SEBI’s T+1 settlement norm, investors must buy a company’s shares at least one trading day before the record date to ensure they are credited to their demat accounts by that date and thus be eligible for the corporate action. This effectively makes today the last date for investors to buy the shares to be eligible for the dividends.
Adani Group stocks turning ex-record date for dividends tomorrow
ACC, Adani Enterprises, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), Adani Total Gas, and Ambuja Cements are the five Adani Group companies that have fixed June 12 as the record date for their respective dividends.
ACC late in April had announced a dividend of Rs 7.5 per share with a face value of Rs 10 each for the financial year 2026. APSEZ will also pay a dividend of Rs 7.5 per share. Shares of Adani Group’s flagship company, Adani Enterprises, meanwhile, are set to turn ex-record date to a dividend of Rs 1.3 per share tomorrow.
Ambuja Cements and Adani Total Gas will pay dividends of Rs 2 per share and Rs 0.25 per share, respectively.
Tata Group stocks turning ex-record date for dividends tomorrow
Tata Motors, Tata Steel, Trent, and Voltas from the Tata Group also have fixed June 12 as the record date for their respective dividends, making today effectively the last day for investors to buy the stocks to be eligible for the payment.
Tata Motors, Tata Steel, and Voltas will each pay dividends worth Rs 4 per share, while Zudio and Westside-parent Trent will pay a dividend of Rs 6 per share. This comes after Trent shares turned ex-record date last week for its first-ever 1:2 bonus issue, causing the stock price to appear nearly 34% lower due to the adjustment.
Also read: Here’s how Trent’s bonus math works
Apart from the companies part of the two conglomerates, several other firms also have fixed June 12 as the record date for their dividends. Some of the notable names among them include Canara Bank (Rs 4.2 per share), ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company (Rs 12.4 per share), JM Financial (Rs 1.75 per share), Piramal Finance (Rs 11 per share), and Punjab National Bank (Rs 3 per share).Also read: Infosys, Adani Enterprises, Trent among 44 stocks going ex-date this week. Do you own any?
(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)
Business
Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending: Steady Outperformance Continues In Q1
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Warner Bros Stock Hits 3-Month Low. The Paramount Merger Spread Is Too Good to Pass Up.
Warner Bros Stock Hits 3-Month Low. The Paramount Merger Spread Is Too Good to Pass Up.
Business
Bonus bonanza! Last date to buy City Union Bank shares for 1:3 reward
Only shareholders who hold City Union Bank shares in their demat accounts as of Friday will be eligible to receive the bonus shares. Due to SEBI’s T+1 settlement norm, investors must purchase the company’s shares at least one trading day before the record date so they are credited to their demat accounts by that date and qualify for the corporate action. This effectively makes today the final day for investors to buy the shares to be eligible for the bonus issue.
All about City Union Bank’s bonus issue
City Union Bank announced a 1:3 bonus issue in April, meaning eligible shareholders will receive one equity share for every three fully paid-up equity shares held in their demat accounts as on the record date.
The bonus shares will be issued using nearly Rs 25 crore from the lender’s securities premium account, whose balance stood at more than Rs 940 crore on March 31, 2026. Later in May, City Union Bank fixed June 12 as the record date to determine the eligibility of shareholders for the bonus shares.
Notably, this marks the first bonus issue announced by the lender in eight years, since a 1:10 bonus issue in 2018. A bonus issue consists of free shares distributed by a company from its reserves and is often seen as a sign of strong financial health and growth prospects. While the issue of bonus shares increases the total number of outstanding shares, it does not change the company’s market capitalisation. However, it can improve liquidity and affordability, allowing more investors to add shares of the company to their portfolio.
Also read: How Sensex, Nifty rallied 200% under PM Modi’s record-breaking tenure
City Union Bank share price
City Union Bank shares have gained 2% in one week, but declined 3% in one month. Shares of the company have fallen over 12% in 2026 so far. In the longer term, they’ve gained 23% in one year, 104% in three years, and 52% in five years.
The bank reported a 25% year-on-year rise in net profit to Rs 359.56 crore for the fourth quarter of FY26, up from Rs 287.96 crore reported in the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year. Its net interest income (NII), meanwhile, increased around 31% YoY to Rs 785.83 crore during the quarter under review.
Also read: Wipro’s Rs 15,000 crore buyback opens; 10 key things to know before tendering shares
(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)
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