Tesco has suffered a significant setback in the long-running equal pay battle being waged by tens of thousands of its shop floor staff, after the Court of Appeal threw out the supermarket’s challenge to the way an Employment Tribunal had been assessing the value of jobs carried out by its customer assistants.

In a judgment handed down on 12 May 2026, the Court of Appeal dismissed Britain’s biggest grocer’s appeal against the Tribunal’s approach to determining the job facts of customer assistants and warehouse operatives, a critical step in the so-called “equal value” process that underpins the entire dispute.

The ruling comes mid-way through a separate Employment Tribunal hearing in which Tesco is attempting to justify paying its predominantly female store workforce less than its largely male distribution centre staff. The supermarket has leant heavily on the argument that the differential reflects “market rates”, a defence lawyers at Leigh Day, who act for more than 16,000 claimants, insist cannot lawfully stand.

At the heart of the appeal was Tesco’s attempt to stop the Tribunal from relying on the company’s own training manuals and operational documents to establish what customer assistants and warehouse operatives are required to do day-to-day. For Britain’s SME employers and retail bosses watching closely, the Court of Appeal’s response will make uncomfortable reading.

The judges upheld the Tribunal’s approach, accepting that Tesco operates in a highly regulated environment, deploys sophisticated digital stock systems and maintains exhaustive training materials precisely to ensure work is carried out consistently across every one of its stores. The Court found Tesco had a “strong business need” for these roles to be performed in the same way throughout its operations, and that, absent clear evidence to the contrary, its own training documents could properly be treated as determinative of what staff were required to do.

The implications stretch well beyond Welwyn Garden City. The judgment effectively rejects attempts to force thousands of workers in mass equal pay claims to individually prove every nut and bolt of their roles when the employer has itself standardised the work. For any business with a structured operating model, supermarkets, hospitality chains, logistics operators and the wider SME retail community, the precedent is plain: your own training materials and operating manuals may be used as evidence against you.

The Court of Appeal also repeated earlier criticisms of Tesco’s evidential approach, raising concerns about both the nature and presentation of witness testimony deployed during the litigation. In a further blow to large employers, the judgment offered fresh guidance that tribunals in mass equal pay claims may, where appropriate, assess jobs more generically rather than insisting every single claim be picked apart on an overly individualised basis, a clarification that could substantially reduce the runway of delay and procedural complexity that often accompanies these disputes.

Kiran Daurka, employment partner at Leigh Day, said the ruling was a significant moment for access to justice. “The Court of Appeal has recognised the importance of removing unnecessary hurdles that prevent everyday people from accessing justice in complex equal pay litigation,” she said. “This judgment is a welcome clarification that, in large-scale cases involving sophisticated respondents like Tesco and other large retailers, tribunals can take a practical and proportionate approach to assessing jobs, which then mitigates against unnecessary complexity to delay or obstruct claims.

“Our clients have always maintained that these cases should focus on the reality of the work being done, not on creating artificial barriers that make equal pay claims impossible to pursue. This ruling will help future claims progress in a more streamlined and accessible way.”

For Tesco, and for every employer with a workforce split between front-of-house and back-of-house operations, the message from the Court of Appeal is unambiguous. The defence of “that’s just what the market pays” is wearing thin, and the documents sitting on a company’s own intranet may yet prove to be the most powerful evidence claimants ever 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.

Social Security beneficiaries are expected to see a larger cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) next year amid rising inflation, according to new reports.

An analysis by The Senior Citizens League (TSCL) predicts that the 2027 COLA will be 3.9%, which would represent an increase of 1.1 percentage points from this year’s 2.8% COLA. TSCL’s previous prediction for the 2027 COLA was 2.8% in its February and March estimates. 

TSCL estimates that the average Social Security benefits check for retired workers would rise by $81.17, up from $2,081.16 to $2,162.33.

“Many seniors are telling us the same thing: As inflation picks back up, life still does not feel affordable. The average senior already lives on much less than younger Americans, according to the Census Bureau, and our supporters constantly tell us they feel like they’re falling farther and farther behind,” said TSCL Executive Director Shannon Benton.

LARRY FINK CALLS FOR SOCIAL SECURITY REFORM, SAYS INVESTING A PORTION OF FUNDS COULD STRENGTHEN THE PROGRAM

An analysis by The Senior Citizens League (TSCL) predicts that the 2027 COLA will be 3.9%. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

The report noted that pressure from elevated oil prices could push inflation even higher, as energy prices impact household budgets directly and through higher transportation costs for other goods.

The nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB) estimated that the 2027 COLA will be 3.8% based on the latest inflation data – slightly lower than the TSCL’s estimate.

CRFB notes that depending on inflation data over the next five months, the COLA will likely end up somewhere in a range between 3% and 4.5%. 

SOCIAL SECURITY’S MAIN TRUST FUND FACES DEPLETION IN 2032, TRIGGERING AUTOMATIC BENEFIT CUTS

Social Security’s main trust fund is projected to become insolvent in 2032. (Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

It also cautioned that if wages don’t rise in response to the ongoing rise in inflation, it will widen Social Security’s budget deficit and accelerate the insolvency of a key trust fund.

“If the recent spike in inflation boosts the COLA to 3.8% without increasing wages, we estimate it would worsen Social Security’s shortfall by roughly $300 billion over the next decade and advance the insolvency of the old age trust fund by three months from late 2032 to earlier in the year,” CRFB noted.

NEW PROPOSAL WOULD CAP SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS AT $100K FOR WEALTHY COUPLES

The SSA will be required to cut Social Security benefits if the program’s trust fund is depleted. (Jeffrey Greenberg/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Once the trust fund is depleted, the Social Security Administration will be required by law to cut benefits to match incoming payroll tax revenues, which CRFB estimates will result in a 25% cut for beneficiaries and would “erase almost a decade’s worth of COLA increases.”

CRFB has offered a number of proposals aimed at improving Social Security’s solvency, including a cap on COLAs for those with the largest benefits and highest lifetime incomes that would be capped to match the benefits paid to middle and high earners.

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The group has also proposed a six-figure limit, which would cap total benefits for wealthy couples at $100,000 or individuals at $50,000; as well as an employer compensation tax that would apply a flat tax rate to all employer compensation costs – including wages and fringe benefits like health insurance and stock options.

NEW YORK — Palantir Technologies Inc. shares fell sharply Wednesday, trading down more than 3.96% to $130.61 in morning action on May 13, 2026, as investors locked in gains following the company’s blockbuster first-quarter earnings and aggressive full-year guidance raise.

The pullback comes just days after Palantir reported record results that exceeded Wall Street expectations on nearly every metric. The data analytics and artificial intelligence platform company posted Q1 revenue of $1.63 billion, up 85% year-over-year — its fastest growth rate since going public in 2020. Adjusted earnings per share reached 33 cents, beating estimates, while U.S. revenue surged 104% to $1.28 billion.

U.S. commercial revenue jumped 133% to $595 million, and government revenue climbed 84%. The company closed 206 deals worth at least $1 million during the quarter, underscoring strong demand for its Gotham, Foundry and AIP platforms. Palantir raised its full-year 2026 revenue guidance to between $7.65 billion and $7.66 billion, representing 71% growth, and lifted its U.S. commercial revenue target to more than $3.22 billion, implying at least 120% expansion.

Despite the strong numbers and upbeat outlook from CEO Alex Karp, who highlighted accelerating AI adoption and “commodity cognition,” the stock has seen typical post-earnings volatility. Palantir shares had rallied significantly into the May 4 report, pushing the company’s market capitalization well above $300 billion at peaks. High valuations — trading at elevated price-to-sales multiples — often lead to profit-taking when growth expectations are already priced in aggressively.

Analysts remain largely bullish. Consensus price targets hover around $190-$200, implying substantial upside from current levels. Firms have praised Palantir’s Rule of 40 score exceeding 100, robust cash flow generation and expanding customer base across government and commercial sectors. However, some caution that the premium valuation leaves little room for disappointment in future quarters.

Palantir’s business model centers on its artificial intelligence platform, which helps organizations integrate massive datasets and deploy AI models at scale. Government contracts, particularly with U.S. defense and intelligence agencies, continue to provide stable revenue, while commercial adoption has accelerated dramatically under the current administration’s focus on technology and data-driven decision-making.

The company ended the quarter with strong liquidity and continues to invest in talent and infrastructure to support growth. Adjusted operating margins reached impressive levels, reflecting improving operational leverage as the platform scales. Free cash flow generation remains a highlight, supporting potential future capital returns or strategic investments.

Market watchers note that Palantir’s stock often experiences sharp swings. The shares have delivered extraordinary returns over the past several years but remain sensitive to broader technology sector sentiment, interest rate movements and any perceived slowdown in AI spending. Wednesday’s decline occurred amid mixed broader market action and rotation out of some high-growth names.

Longer-term prospects appear bright. Palantir has positioned itself as a leader in enterprise AI, with expanding use cases in manufacturing, healthcare, finance and logistics. Boot camps and demonstration programs continue to convert prospects into paying customers at accelerating rates. International expansion also offers additional runway, though U.S. growth remains the primary driver.

Critics point to the company’s history of losses in earlier years and questions about sustainable competitive advantages. However, recent quarters have shown clear progress toward consistent profitability and cash flow positivity. Karp has repeatedly emphasized Palantir’s unique focus on practical AI deployment rather than hype.

For investors, today’s dip may represent a buying opportunity for those with a long-term horizon. The stock’s volatility creates entry points, but new positions should consider the elevated valuation and execution risks. Existing shareholders may view the pullback as noise amid strong fundamental momentum.

Broader AI sector dynamics support Palantir’s narrative. As enterprises and governments race to implement advanced analytics and large language models, platforms that can deliver secure, scalable solutions stand to benefit significantly. Palantir’s government roots give it credibility in regulated industries where data security is paramount.

The coming quarters will test whether Palantir can sustain its exceptional growth trajectory. Analysts will watch U.S. commercial acceleration, international performance and margin trends closely. Any signs of slowing deal velocity or margin pressure could trigger renewed volatility.

As of mid-morning trading on May 13, volume remained elevated, reflecting continued investor interest. Technical levels show support near recent moving averages, with resistance around recent highs. Options activity and institutional flows will provide additional clues about sentiment in the days ahead.

Palantir’s journey from a niche government contractor to a high-profile AI leader reflects larger shifts in technology and geopolitics. Wednesday’s modest decline does little to alter the company’s strong underlying momentum, but it serves as a reminder of the premium investors are paying for its growth story.

NEW YORK — Navitas Semiconductor Corp. shares jumped more than 7% in morning trading Wednesday, climbing to $20.64 as investors continued to pile into the gallium nitride and silicon carbide power chip specialist amid surging demand for energy-efficient solutions in artificial intelligence data centers and high-power applications.

The Nasdaq-listed company, a leader in next-generation power semiconductors, has emerged as one of the standout performers in the semiconductor sector in 2026. Year-to-date gains have exceeded 120%, with a particularly strong April that saw shares rise nearly 88% on short covering, AI optimism and strategic partnerships. Wednesday’s move extended a multi-week rally fueled by product launches and growing visibility in the high-growth AI infrastructure market.

A key catalyst behind recent strength is Navitas’ expanding presence in India. On May 11, partner Cyient Semiconductors launched seven new 650V GaN power ICs built on Navitas’ technology platform. The family of chips targets AI data centers, electric vehicles, telecom infrastructure and fast chargers under India’s “Make in India” initiative. The announcement sent shares to a record intraday high near $23.36 before settling higher on heavy volume.

Navitas CEO Chris Allexandre highlighted India as a strategic growth market, noting strong alignment with the country’s push for semiconductor self-reliance and green energy. The partnership builds on Navitas’ broader high-power strategy, where GaN and SiC devices deliver superior efficiency, smaller size and lower heat generation compared to traditional silicon solutions — critical advantages as AI servers consume massive amounts of electricity.

Analysts point to Navitas’ positioning in the $3.5 billion-plus AI data center power market as a major long-term driver. The company’s GaNFast and GeneSiC platforms are gaining traction for power conversion in servers, where even small efficiency gains translate into significant energy and cost savings at hyperscale. Recent product releases, including 1200V SiC packages optimized for AI infrastructure, have further boosted investor enthusiasm.

First-quarter 2026 results, reported earlier in May, showed sequential revenue growth and improving gross margins driven by a shift toward higher-power products. While still a small company with quarterly revenue in the low double-digit millions, Navitas has demonstrated accelerating adoption and strong cash reserves of approximately $221 million, providing runway for expansion.

The stock’s volatility remains high, characteristic of small-cap semiconductor names. Short interest has fluctuated but contributed to sharp squeezes during positive news flow. Wednesday’s trading volume significantly exceeded averages, signaling continued retail and institutional interest. Some Wall Street firms have raised price targets in recent weeks, with optimistic calls citing potential for multi-fold growth if Navitas captures meaningful share in AI power electronics.

Challenges persist. Navitas operates in a competitive landscape with larger players investing heavily in wide-bandgap semiconductors. Execution on scaling manufacturing, maintaining margins amid supply chain pressures and converting design wins into sustained revenue will determine whether current momentum is sustainable. Valuation concerns have surfaced after the rapid run-up, with some analysts warning of over-optimism relative to current revenue scale.

Broader sector tailwinds support the rally. Global AI infrastructure spending continues accelerating, with data center power demands projected to grow dramatically. Governments and enterprises prioritize energy efficiency amid rising electricity costs and sustainability goals. Navitas’ focus on gallium nitride — which offers faster switching and higher efficiency than silicon — positions it well for chargers, solar inverters, EVs and industrial applications beyond AI.

Company leadership has emphasized a transformation toward high-power markets. Mobile charging, once a larger revenue contributor, now represents less than 25% of sales as the business pivots aggressively. New design wins and reference platforms with major customers underscore progress, though the company remains pre-profit on a GAAP basis as it invests for scale.

Investor sentiment appears strongly bullish on platforms like Stocktwits and in options activity, with elevated call volume reflecting bets on continued upside. However, pullbacks are common after sharp moves, and profit-taking could intensify if broader tech sentiment cools. Navitas participates in upcoming investor conferences, which may provide additional catalysts through management commentary and updates.

For investors considering exposure, Navitas represents a high-beta play on the AI power theme. The company’s technology offers clear differentiation, but risks include competition, execution delays and macroeconomic sensitivity. Those with longer horizons may view current levels as an entry amid sector growth, while shorter-term traders should monitor technical support and volume trends closely.

As trading continues Wednesday, focus remains on whether the stock can hold gains or faces near-term consolidation. With AI infrastructure demand showing no signs of slowing, Navitas’ role in enabling more efficient power delivery positions it as a compelling story in the semiconductor ecosystem — one that has already rewarded shareholders handsomely in 2026 but carries the volatility typical of emerging leaders.