A Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) is a vital electrical device that provides backup power during outages, ensuring that businesses continue to run smoothly without interruption.

In today’s fast-paced business environment, any downtime can lead to significant financial losses. A reliable UPS can prevent such disruptions, protecting vital systems and equipment from sudden power failures.

Organizations prioritize a UPS to safeguard equipment and reduce downtime because reliable backup power supports operational continuity during outages and voltage disturbances.

They focus on how a UPS keeps critical loads running long enough for safe shutdowns or seamless transfer to backup sources. Let’s explore 7 ways a UPS can prevent downtime in businesses and enhance operational reliability.

7 Ways a UPS Defends Your Business Against Power Failures

UPS systems provide businesses with an additional layer of protection against unexpected power failures, ensuring reliable performance for critical equipment.

1. Preventing Equipment Damage During Power Outages

Power failures can cause significant damage to sensitive electrical instruments and devices. A UPS provides backup power during these disruptions, allowing businesses to shut down equipment or switch to auxiliary power safely. This process helps protect valuable equipment from potential electrical damage due to sudden power interruptions.

2. Maintaining Data Integrity

For businesses that rely on data, such as financial institutions or IT companies, maintaining data integrity is paramount. A UPS ensures that during power fluctuations or failures, data remains uncorrupted and safe. The backup power provides enough time for systems to execute proper shutdown procedures, preventing data loss or corruption.

3. Ensuring Continuous Network Availability

For organizations that depend on uninterrupted internet access, a UPS is vital. Many businesses use cloud-based services and require continuous connectivity. By deploying UPS systems, businesses can ensure that their network infrastructure remains operational during power disruptions, avoiding delays in communication and work.

4. Supporting Critical Systems During Power Surges

Power surges can disrupt and damage sensitive electrical devices, causing them to malfunction. A UPS is designed to smooth out these surges, ensuring that only a stable voltage is provided to critical systems. By incorporating this system, businesses can safeguard their essential equipment from harmful power spikes, reducing the likelihood of equipment breakdowns.

5. Ensuring Uninterrupted Manufacturing Processes

In industries like manufacturing, continuous operations are essential. A power interruption can halt production lines, leading to delays and financial losses. With a UPS in place, manufacturing systems can continue to run smoothly, even when the main power supply is interrupted. This is especially important for industries where downtime can lead to high operational costs.

6. Extending the Life of Electrical Equipment

A UPS doesn’t just protect systems from power loss; it also utilizes Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR) to extend the life of electrical equipment by correcting sudden voltage fluctuations. By deploying this reliable power backup system, businesses can reduce wear and tear on their electrical equipment, ensuring longevity and fewer repairs.

7. Supporting Emergency Services and Safety Systems

In emergencies, such as fire alarms or security systems, having a reliable backup power supply is essential. A UPS can provide backup power to these critical safety systems, ensuring they remain operational during a power outage. This is especially important for businesses in sectors like healthcare, where uninterrupted operation of emergency equipment is non-negotiable.

Strengthening Your Business Resilience With Trusted UPS Solutions

UPS power supplies are essential for ensuring continuous operations and safeguarding critical infrastructure from power disruptions. They provide businesses with protection against data loss, reduce downtime, and extend equipment lifespan. By partnering with a reputable electrical brand, businesses can access high-quality, reliable UPS systems supported by professional maintenance services.

These systems are crucial for maintaining data integrity, protecting sensitive devices, and supporting an uninterrupted workflow. Explore advanced UPS solutions today to enhance your business resilience, prevent costly downtime, and keep your operations running smoothly, ensuring long-term success and stability in a power-dependent world.

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While a selloff in tech shares weighed on the market, 92 stocks in the S&P 500 hit one-year peaks, according to Dow Jones Market Data. The performance marks the highest volume of such milestones in a single session since November 2024.

Industrial companies are driving much of this momentum with 27 such cases, including Caterpillar, RTX and GE Vernova. The financial sector saw 15 companies post such highs, and the energy sector put 10 companies on the list.

Companies with the highest market capitalization hitting the milestone include Walmart, Exxon Mobil and Johnson & Johnson.

An award-winning tradesperson has announced plans to leave the UK for Switzerland, warning that rising employment taxes, shrinking apprenticeship support and mounting red tape are driving skilled workers and small business owners overseas.Martin Daly

, founder of Motherwell-based MD Builders and recently crowned Screwfix Top Tradesperson for 2025, said changes introduced in Labour’s first Budget were the final catalyst behind his decision to relocate after years of building his business in the UK.

Daly, 30, began his career as a joiner before setting up his own firm five years ago. Since then, he has employed and trained multiple apprentices, many of whom have gone on to establish their own businesses or pursue opportunities abroad. He now fears the UK risks accelerating a wider exodus of skilled tradespeople at a time when construction labour shortages are already acute.

He pointed to the rise in employers’ National Insurance contributions, increases in the National Living Wage and what he described as insufficient funding for apprenticeships as key pressures squeezing small firms.

“Those changes were the tipping point,” Daly said. “I want to grow a business and bring young people through, but I can’t afford to do that anymore. The costs don’t stack up.”

Under changes announced in the October Budget, employers will pay a 15 per cent National Insurance rate on salaries above £5,000 from April, up from 13.8 per cent on earnings above £9,100. The National Living Wage is also set to rise to £12.21 an hour.

Daly said the impact goes beyond payroll. He described a slowdown in available projects as firms rein in spending, alongside rising overheads driven by compliance and regulation. He also cited concerns about personal safety and quality of life as part of his decision to leave.

“I want to wake up and not worry about my van being broken into,” he said. “I want to know taxes are being used positively. And I want to feel safe walking at night. That’s not how Britain feels anymore.”

The builder has visited Switzerland several times and has already received job offers there, including work installing kitchens. He said he had also been approached by firms in Australia and the Middle East, regions actively targeting skilled UK tradespeople with visa schemes and relocation incentives.

Australia, for example, introduced a specialist construction visa programme in 2023, offering relocation support of up to £5,100 in some regions.

While Daly stressed that his decision was not solely about money, he said the contrast in incentives and support for apprentices abroad was stark. “Australia helps fund apprentices. Here, the whole apprenticeship system needs reform,” he said.

The concerns come as the UK construction sector faces mounting workforce pressures. The number of construction workers fell to around two million in late 2025, the lowest level in 25 years, with more than a third of the workforce now aged over 50. Industry estimates suggest more than 60,000 new workers are needed each year to meet housing targets.

The government has pledged to build 1.5 million new homes by the end of this parliament, but delivery remains under scrutiny. Independent forecasts suggest current build rates fall well short of that ambition, despite recent planning reforms designed to speed up approvals and increase density near transport hubs.

Daly acknowledged that pressures on trades had built up over multiple governments but warned the current policy mix risks accelerating departures just as skills shortages deepen.

“Unless we focus properly on young people, they’ll all leave,” he said. “If we don’t change, there won’t be anyone left to build the homes we need.”

Jamie Young

Jamie is Senior Reporter at Business Matters, bringing over a decade of experience in UK SME business reporting.
Jamie holds a degree in Business Administration and regularly participates in industry conferences and workshops.

When not reporting on the latest business developments, Jamie is passionate about mentoring up-and-coming journalists and entrepreneurs to inspire the next generation of business leaders.

President Donald Trump launched TrumpRx.gov Thursday, a new website promising “the world’s lowest prices” on dozens of popular prescription medications through direct discounts from major pharmaceutical companies. The platform arrives as a centerpiece of the administration’s aggressive push to slash drug costs for cash-paying Americans, bypassing insurance complexities and middlemen.

Speaking at a White House event flanked by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz and Pfizer CEO Dr. Albert Bourla, Trump called TrumpRx “the most impactful price reset in our nation’s history.” The site debuted with savings on more than 40 drugs from five companies — AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, EMD Serono, Novo Nordisk and Pfizer — with 11 more manufacturers joining soon.

Users visit TrumpRx.gov, search for their medication, print a digital coupon and redeem it at participating pharmacies for cash prices far below list costs. The White House touted examples like weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy dropping dramatically, fertility treatments and menopause relief like Duavee at 85% off, alongside autoimmune and overactive bladder medications.

How TrumpRx works: Cash discounts, no insurance required

TrumpRx targets the “cash-pay” market — patients without insurance coverage, those hitting deductibles or facing high copays. Visitors enter their medication, location and pharmacy preference to unlock coupon codes redeemable nationwide. GoodRx powers the backend pricing integration, streamlining access without manufacturer websites or eligibility forms.​

Key disclaimers: Discounts apply only to cash payments, not insurance deductibles or covered benefits. The site emphasizes “self-pay patients” and excludes government programs initially, though Medicaid integration looms. Trump highlighted “Most Favored Nation” pricing deals exempting participating companies from U.S. tariffs, pressuring Big Pharma into voluntary cuts.

Initial offerings span chronic conditions: diabetes (Ozempic), obesity (Wegovy, Zepbound), autoimmune (Xeljanz), menopause (Duavee), eczema (Eucrisa) and more. A FAQ promises “many more drugs coming soon,” signaling expansion.

White House hails ‘Big Pharma-gouging’ endgame

Trump framed the launch as populist warfare against pharmaceutical pricing. “Thanks to President Trump, the days of Big Pharma-gouging are over,” the website declares. Administration officials cited U.S. patients paying 2-4 times more than Canadians or Europeans for identical drugs, blaming PBMs, rebates and lack of price competition.

RFK Jr. positioned TrumpRx within broader reforms: “This is Phase One. Direct-to-consumer transparency forces real competition.” Dr. Oz demoed the site live, pulling up Ozempic at $346 monthly versus $1,086 list — a 68% cut. Pfizer’s Bourla committed 30+ drugs immediately, calling it “a win for patients and innovation.”

The event echoed Trump’s first-term “Most Favored Nation” executive order, revived after court blocks. Participating firms gain tariff exemptions; non-joiners face import scrutiny. Critics call it coercive; supporters hail market disruption.​

Drug-by-drug savings spotlight

TrumpRx spotlights blockbuster discounts:

Fertility drugs drew praise: IVF medications, often $10,000+ per cycle, slash to accessible levels. “This is a big deal for families,” noted one analyst.​

Pharma partners and expansion roadmap

Launch partners pledged aggressively:

• Pfizer: 30+ drugs, including menopause, autoimmune, bladder treatments.​
• Novo Nordisk: GLP-1 leaders Ozempic/Wegovy at fraction of list.​
• Eli Lilly: Zepbound, Orforglipron (pending FDA) at $346 monthly.​
• AstraZeneca, EMD Serono: Oncology, fertility additions imminent.​

Eleven more firms — undisclosed — integrate within months. GoodRx’s role ensures pharmacy ubiquity; Walgreens, CVS, independents participate.​

Critics question scope, sustainability

Skeptics abound. Dr. Christina Madison called it “GoodRx-like” but centralized: “Patient assistance repackaged — helpful, not revolutionary.” AARP warned discounts skip insured patients, leaving 150 million unaffected. Pharma lobby PhRMA stressed R&D needs: “Voluntary cuts can’t replace innovation incentives.”​

Democrats decried cash-only limits: “Helps uninsured, ignores working families with crappy insurance,” tweeted Sen. Elizabeth Warren. GoodRx affirmed partnership: “We host self-pay prices, integrate seamlessly.”​

Legal watchers eye MFN revival: Biden-era courts struck similar rules; Trump 2.0 tests fresh ground. Early traffic crashed TrumpRx.gov temporarily, signaling demand.​

Patient stories fuel populist pitch

White House spotlit real users:

• Sarah T., Ohio: Ozempic from $900 to $350 monthly — “Life-changing.”
• Mike R., Texas: IVF drugs halved — “Dreams affordable now.”
• Linda P., Florida: Duavee at $75 — “Menopause relief without bankruptcy.”

Trump touted 300 million potential beneficiaries: “Every American deserves medicine at fair prices.” RFK Jr. vowed Phase 2: insulin caps, PBM bans.

Timing ties to midterms, health care wars

Launch precedes 2026 midterms, where drug prices rank top voter concerns (72% per KFF). Gallup pegs affordability above inflation. Trump positions TrumpRx as 2024 promise kept: “I said I’d fix it — watch me deliver.” Polling shows 65% approval for direct discounts.​

Globally, Canada/India parallel import threats loom if Pharma balks. EU praised transparency; WHO urged universality.​

Tech behind TrumpRx: User-friendly disruption

Built on GoodRx infrastructure, TrumpRx offers geo-targeted pharmacy matching, mobile coupons, price comparisons. Spanish/English bilingual; ADA compliant. CMS integration teases Medicare expansion.​

Beta testing yielded 92% redemption success; average savings $400 monthly per user. Site traffic hit 1M+ Thursday night.​

Big Pharma’s reluctant embrace

Pfizer led buy-in: “Patients win, we innovate,” Bourla stated. Novo Nordisk followed, slashing GLP-1s amid Wegovy shortages. Eli Lilly timed with Zepbound; AstraZeneca eyes oncology next.

Non-participants risk tariffs, public backlash. Merck, J&J mum; analysts predict trickle joining by March.​

What comes next for American drug prices

Phase 2 teases insulin at $35, EpiPens slashed, PBM rebate bans. Trump eyes Canada pharmacy flights if Pharma resists. RFK Jr. champions transparency laws mirroring Europe’s HTA systems.​

TrumpRx.gov lives now — search, print, save. For 50 million uninsured and deductibled Americans, relief arrives. Scale remains question; impact, already real.

Bitcoin has tumbled to its lowest levels since last fall, briefly dipping below $61,000 this week before rebounding slightly to around $64,800 amid a brutal sell-off that has wiped out nearly 50% of its value from October highs. The world’s largest cryptocurrency by market cap — now hovering at $1.29 trillion — faces mounting questions: Is this the bottom, or will BTC keep going down as investor panic deepens?

The dramatic plunge, down 32% over the past 12 months and 44% from its $126,296 peak, has triggered widespread deleveraging, ETF outflows and skepticism about crypto’s post-election rally. Yet historical patterns, improving macro signals and technical rebounds suggest the bleeding may soon stop — though analysts warn of more pain before any sustained recovery.

Bitcoin’s brutal week: From $92K dreams to $60K reality

Bitcoin shed nearly 20% in the past seven days alone, smashing through key support at $70,000 and testing November 2024 lows around $60,001. Thursday’s session saw BTC briefly crater below $61,000 — its steepest single-day drop in months — fueled by $3.48 billion in spot ETF outflows since November and liquidations hitting overcrowded long positions.

Major platforms like Bitstamp clocked lows of $70,002 early Thursday, while Coinbase watched BTC flirt with $60K amid risk-off sentiment spilling from stocks. Ether and XRP suffered worse, amplifying the crypto bloodbath as traditional investors soured on digital assets.

Deutsche Bank’s Marion Laboure pinned the rout on fading hype: “Traditional investors are losing interest… Bitcoin isn’t trading on narratives anymore; it’s pure liquidity dynamics.” FG Nexus’s Aja Vinovic added that post-ETF euphoria has given way to balance-sheet pressures, with put options now outpacing calls.​

Why Bitcoin is crashing now: ETF flows, macro headwinds

Spot Bitcoin ETFs — once bullish darlings — turned net negative, hemorrhaging $278 million in January alone after $4.57 billion in late-2025 outflows. BlackRock’s IBIT led the exodus, signaling institutional profit-taking after BTC’s 2025 surge.

Macro jitters amplified the slide. Fed hawkishness crushed rate-cut bets, strengthening the dollar and squeezing risk assets. Bitcoin’s correlation with Nasdaq hit 0.85, dragging BTC down as tech stocks wobbled. On-chain data shows new buyer activity stalled since October, with sentiment nearing fear extremes — historically bullish contrarian signals.

Technicals scream oversold: Wedge pattern eyes rebound

Charts paint a mixed but intriguing picture. Bitcoin trades inside an ascending broadening wedge, bouncing from the lower boundary near $60K — a classic reversal setup. Bulls must reclaim $89,241 and $90,000 for bullish confirmation; failure risks $55K tests.

The 50-day moving average sits at $87,974, with the 200-day at $103,031 — both far above spot price, underscoring the correction’s depth. Yet RSI readings below 30 signal extreme oversold conditions, while February’s historical 14.3% average gains favor upside.

Changelly forecasts BTC climbing to $77,862 by month-end (20% from here), with short-term targets at $71,840 Friday and $77K late February. BeInCrypto eyes $98K on wedge breakout, followed by $95K consolidation.

Historical precedent: 30% drops are BTC’s normal

Pullbacks of 30%+ are routine in Bitcoin cycles. Post-2021 and 2017 peaks, BTC endured multiple 30-50% corrections before resuming uptrends. The current 44% retracement mirrors March 2025’s 32.7% dip and January’s 31.7% slide — “normal volatility,” per CoinDesk’s Jacob Joseph.​

Santiment data confirms: Extreme fear precedes bounces, with current caution levels priming gradual advances. ETF outflow slowdown — from $3.48B (Nov) to $278M (Jan) — hints at stabilization.

Bull case: ETF rebound, halving tailwinds, macro pivot

Optimists see catalysts ahead. Spot ETF flows could flip positive in February, providing “structural support.” The 2024 halving’s supply shock lingers, with 3.125 BTC block rewards tightening issuance amid rising demand.​

Macro tailwinds beckon: Potential Fed cuts, election-cycle liquidity and Trump’s pro-crypto stance (Bitcoin reserve talk) could ignite FOMO. On-chain metrics show long-term holders accumulating, HODL waves strengthening.​

Price targets cluster at $90K (near-term resistance), $101K (14% historical February gain) and $126K year-high retest.

Bear case: $55K floor, recession risks loom

Pessimists warn of deeper pain. Failure at $70K invites $55K — 2024 lows — with $44K psychological support. Persistent ETF selling, regulatory clouds (SEC vs. Ripple redux?) and equity contagion threaten further slides.​

Deutsche Bank’s Laboure flags “overall negativity” as traditional capital flees. If Nasdaq cracks, BTC’s 0.85 correlation amplifies downside.​

Expert predictions: Where BTC heads next

February averages 14.3% gains historically; current $64.8K base projects $74K end-month.​

What Bitcoin investors should do now

1. HODL long-term: Corrections precede bull runs; 2021’s 50% drop yielded 3x gains.​
2. Dollar-cost average: Buy dips below $65K; avoid FOMO at $90K.​
3. Watch ETF flows: Inflow reversal signals bottom.​
4. Monitor Fed: Rate cuts ignite risk-on.​
5. Risk management: Never invest more than 5-10% portfolio.​

Bitcoin’s at a crossroads: capitulation or coil for explosion? History favors the latter, but patience rules. As Vinovic notes, “The bull run narrative evolves — liquidity now drives price.” Tune into macro prints, ETF data and $70K hold for clues. The king of crypto endures — battered, but unbowed.

Meanwhile, Exeter is currently a rank outsider

Plymouth has emerged as one of the leading contenders to secure the UK City of Culture 2029 title – whilst Exeter trails as an outside bet.

According to predictions from the Online Betting Guide (OLBG), Britain’s Ocean City ranks as second favourite to claim the prestigious accolade and its accompanying £10m prize.

With applications due to close imminently, Plymouth sits just behind Wrexham, bolstered by its celebrity connections, in OLBG’s forecasts.

The firm has given Wrexham, which only achieved city status in 2022, odds of 4/6 and a 60 per cent chance of securing the honour.

However, Plymouth follows closely with 6/4 odds and a 40 per cent likelihood of triumph, with OLBG highlighting its “coastal identity and cultural infrastructure”, reports Plymouth Live.

Exeter and naval rival Portsmouth languish at the bottom of the table, sharing 6/1 odds and merely a 14.3 per cent implied probability of victory.

The application deadline falls on Sunday, 8 February, with nine “cities” having already entered the competition.

Additional bidders include Ipswich and Blackpool, both given 2/1 odds by OLBG, whilst Peterborough stands at 3/1, Bristol at 4/1, and Swindon at 5/1.

Further cities may join the contest before entries close, but currently OLBG positions Plymouth, which is presently enjoying significant national exposure through its Beryl Cook exhibition at The Box, amongst the leading candidates.

The betting guide noted that Wrexham remains the outright favourite “reflecting its recent surge in national and international profile”. OLBG noted that investment, regeneration initiatives and the international spotlight from Wrexham AFC have all contributed to positioning the Welsh city as a formidable cultural contender.

Wrexham has reaped the rewards of the globally-broadcast documentary Welcome to Wrexham and the acquisition of the football club by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

According to OLBG, Wrexham’s application is regarded as meeting numerous criteria early on, boasting a persuasive story, demonstrated capacity to execute prominent projects and robust community support.

Plymouth is strengthened by its maritime character and cultural facilities, the bookmaker added, whilst Ipswich and Blackpool share third-favourite status, each presenting distinct yet credible cultural offerings.

Lower down the rankings, Peterborough and Bristol are considered dependable but unremarkable bids at this juncture. OLBG suggested Bristol’s longer odds might be unexpected, though industry observers indicate that competition for funding and conflicting cultural priorities may disadvantage it.

Meanwhile, Swindon, Portsmouth and Exeter comprise the outsider category. Whilst each possesses cultural credentials, OLBG observed, they are presently seen as requiring exceptional proposals to advance to the latter rounds.

Jake Ashton, current affairs expert at OLBG.com, said: “Wrexham leads the way in the City of Culture market and it’s easy to see why, with the city gaining in popularity massively in recent years following Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s ownership of the football club.”

While no betting sites are currently offering odds on the City of Culture contest, hypothetical odds have been created for entertainment purposes to provide a sense of how the competition is progressing.

Following this weekend’s application deadline, a longlist of up to eight cities is anticipated to be unveiled in March. The list will then be whittled down to a shortlist of four cities four months later, with the final decision due by the end of the year.

OLBG explained that early momentum, political support and cultural infrastructure can all impact how a bid is viewed at the longlist stage, while comprehensive delivery plans and funding strategies often determine the ultimate victor.

However, once the longlist is announced, OLBG stated that focus will swiftly turn to which cities possess the necessary infrastructure and financial plans to facilitate a full year of cultural events.

A spokesperson said: “Until then, these theoretical odds offer a snapshot of how the race is shaping up and why Wrexham currently stands out as the city to beat.”