Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

February 3 2026 – The FTSE 100 has punched to fresh record highs as investors flood into Britain's biggest companies in a decisive shift towards defence, durability and scale amid rising global volatility.

The analysis from the CEO of global financial advisory giant deVere Group comes as the index touched an intraday high of 10,362 points at the open, extending its advance to more than 4% this year.

Nigel Green comments: “Investors are embracing a clear risk-on tone while simultaneously seeking shelter in assets built to withstand economic and geopolitical pressure.

“This rally is not driven by speculative enthusiasm. It's being powered by capital moving deliberately into companies with global reach, diversified revenues and pricing power.

“In a world marked by uneven growth, currency swings and persistent uncertainty, investors are favoring strength over sensitivity.”

Mining giants are once again at the centre of the advance. Strong rallies in gold and silver prices are lifting the sector, reinforcing the FTSE's reputation as a market anchored in hard assets and global demand.

Precious metals strength is amplifying cash flows and balance-sheet resilience at a time when protection matters as much as upside.

Alongside commodities, currency dynamics are providing an additional layer of support. The dollar's recent strength is proving highly advantageous for the FTSE's multinational heavyweights, many of which generate a substantial share of revenues overseas.

The defensive appeal is being reinforced by currency dynamics.

The recent strengthening of the dollar is bolstering earnings for multinational London-listed firms, turning overseas exposure into a powerful buffer against domestic economic risk.

“This combination of currency support and international revenue streams is highly compelling.

“The FTSE 100 offers exposure to global growth while providing insulation through scale, diversification and real assets. Investors are positioning for resilience, and Britain's largest companies are built for exactly this environment,” says the deVere CEO.

He adds that the rally reflects a broader recalibration in how portfolios are being constructed in 2025.

“Volatility remains elevated across regions and asset classes.

“In response, investors are allocating to markets that can absorb shocks without sacrificing returns. The FTSE delivers that balance in a way few indices can.”

After years of being dismissed as slow-moving or outdated, the FTSE 100 is asserting itself as a defensive heavyweight.

“Its concentration in energy, materials, financials and consumer staples is proving increasingly attractive as investors prioritise earnings stability and global exposure.”

The index's renewed momentum also underlines how defensive assets are evolving.

Protection is no longer confined to low growth or low return strategies. Investors are demanding defence with performance, and the FTSE's advance shows that combination is firmly back in demand.

Nigel Green says the latest record should be viewed as a signal of intent from global capital.

“Investors are making purposeful choices,” he says. “The move into the FTSE reflects a preference for strength, reach and durability. This rally is rooted in fundamentals, not hope.”

He concludes that the index's breakout marks a turning point in how UK equities are viewed internationally.

“The FTSE 100 is being re-rated. In a volatile world, markets that can protect capital while delivering growth stand out. Britain's flagship index is doing exactly that.”

deVere Group is one of the world's largest independent advisors of specialist global financial solutions to international, local mass affluent, and high-net-worth clients.  It has a network of offices around the world, more than 80,000 clients, and $14bn under advisement.

February 3 2026 – Bitcoin has stabilized between $75,000 and $80,000 following a sharp weekend sell-off, signalling resilience rather than retreat as macro pressures briefly dominate market sentiment.

The analysis from Nigel Green, CEO of financial advisory giant deVere Group, comes as the US dollar index posts its strongest two-day gain in nine months, tightening financial conditions and slowing near-term risk appetite across digital assets.

“The dollar is flexing,” he says. “This always creates friction for Bitcoin in the short term. What matters is that prices are holding firm at elevated levels rather than unwinding.”

He adds that Bitcoin's ability to stabilize after a rapid sell-off highlights the depth of demand now embedded in the market.

“This behavior points to a market that is absorbing pressure, not buckling under it, which is, typically, how bases are built.”

The recent strength in the dollar has been driven by shifting expectations around US monetary policy leadership and upcoming labor market data, both of which are reinforcing the currency's momentum.

 A stronger dollar tends to cap immediate upside in Bitcoin by tightening global liquidity and drawing capital toward cash and short-duration assets.

Yet Nigel Green stresses that such dynamics have repeatedly proven temporary in past cycles.

“Dollar rallies have a history of interrupting Bitcoin's momentum, not reversing it,” he explains. “They, typically, slow the move, they don't cancel the destination.”

He points to Bitcoin's fundamentals as increasingly dominant over time. Supply remains structurally constrained, issuance is predictable, and long-term holders continue to accumulate during periods of consolidation.

At the same time, Bitcoin is now embedded within portfolio strategy discussions among asset managers, family offices and corporate treasuries, shifting it from a previously speculative trade toward a strategic allocation.

“This is a very different market from earlier cycles,” says Nigel Green. “Bitcoin is no longer reliant on retail enthusiasm alone. Structural demand is broader, steadier and more disciplined.”

He also highlights how macro uncertainty itself reinforces Bitcoin's longer-term appeal.

“Persistent currency debasement risks, rising sovereign debt burdens and geopolitical strain continue to strengthen the investment case for scarce digital assets.

“Those forces do not disappear because the dollar has a strong fortnight.”

Bitcoin's current range, he adds, should be viewed as a zone of construction rather than exhaustion.

“Periods of consolidation near highs are historically constructive,” says Nigel Green. “They allow leverage to reset, conviction to strengthen and long-term capital to establish positions.”

The deVere boss concludes that short-term macro pressure is unlikely to derail Bitcoin's broader trajectory.

“The dollar may be asserting itself today,” he says. “Bitcoin is, arguably, asserting something bigger. Scarcity, adoption and credibility are doing the work beneath the surface.”

Swinburne researchers have turned old, unwanted mattresses into safe and sustainable building insulation materials using fungi.

With their findings published in Nature's Scientific Reports Journal, the team grew a common fungus together with shredded mattress foam to create a new material that is solid and lightweight.  

Mattresses are one of the hardest household items to recycle, explains Swinburne authors Dr The Hong Phong (Peter) Nguyen, Associate Professor Mostafa Nikzad and Dr Huseyin Sumer.

“Mattresses are durable, bulky, and often end up in landfill,” says Swinburne engineering expert, Dr The Hong Phong (Peter) Nguyen.

“Through natural biological processes, we can give this waste a second life.”

The process involves fungal roots binding to the waste, forming natural mineral compounds that can resist extreme heat, remaining stable even when exposed to temperatures close to 1,000 °C.

“The material performed well as an insulator, with heat-blocking ability very close to commercial insulation products already used in homes and buildings,” says Dr Nguyen.

“The approach is both practical and environmentally responsible, using fungus that is closely related to strains used in food production and medicine, and relying on common, widely used chemicals.”

1.8 million mattresses are disposed of each year in Australia, according to Director of Innovation at the Australian Bedding Stewardship Council, Tracey Pryor, who co-funded this research.

“740,000 mattresses are still sent to landfill, equating to approximately 22,000 tonnes of needless waste that can take up to 120 years each to decompose,” Pryor says.

Dr Nguyen hopes that with further development, this fungus-based material could also be used as fire-resistant insulation, building panels, or even shaped for future construction methods such as 3D-printed building elements.  

“Our work shows how combining biology with waste materials, while leveraging deep manufacturing science, can lead to smart, low-impact solutions that better the environment and the lives of everyone.”

The Commonwealth Bank has responded to the Reserve Bank of Australia’s cash rate decision, introducing changes to eligible variable-rate business loans.

3 February 2026 – Following the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) decision to increase the official cash rate by 0.25% per annum (p.a.), CBA will increase rates by 0.25% p.a. on eligible variable-rate business lending products.

The rate change will apply to CBA Business Bank’s Variable Base Rate, Commercial Variable Base Rate, Residential Equity Rate, Commercial Residential Equity Rate, Overdraft Reference Rate, and Commercial Overdraft Reference Rate, flowing through to eligible variable-rate business lending products including BetterBusiness Loans and Business Overdrafts. These changes will be effective 13 February 2026.

CBA Group Executive Business Banking, Mike Vacy-Lyle, said: “Australia’s economy ended 2025 with more momentum than many expected, reinforcing strong business activity and household demand, supported by a labour market that remains tight. This resilience is positive, but it also means the economy continues to operate close to, or above full capacity, adding to inflationary pressures. We recognise the Reserve Bank’s actions are aimed at returning inflation to target and preserving long term economic stability.

“We know any adjustment in interest rates is challenging for business owners who are already navigating higher operating costs. Our priority is to support customers through this environment, and our teams are here to discuss options to help businesses manage the impact of these changes.

“Conditions will continue to vary across sectors, and we encourage any customers needing support to reach out early to our dedicated Business Financial Assistance team.”

Support for business customers

CBA offers a wide range of tools and programs to support business customers at every stage of their business journey. This includes:

• Free comprehensive cash flow tracking capabilities via a Business Cash Flow tool in the CommBank app.
• Bill Sense to help customers predict future bills and CommBank’s business insights tool called Daily IQ.
• CommBank Business Masterclass modules help upskill businesses in the areas of AI and cashflow with more modules to come.
• Eligible business customers can also benefit from discounts and special offers available via CommBank Yello for Business, the bank’s customer rewards and recognition program.
• A range of financial support options are available for business customers experiencing difficulty, including deferred business loan repayments or debt restructuring.

More information is available on our website and businesses seeking support can speak to their Relationship Manager or call CBA’s dedicated Business Financial Assistance team, available 24/7, on 13 26 07.

Commonwealth Bank responds to the Reserve Bank of Australia's cash rate increase.

3 February 2026 – Following the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) decision to increase the official cash rate by 0.25% per annum (p.a.), CBA will increase home loan variable interest rates by 0.25% p.a.

All home loan variable rate changes announced today will be effective 13 February 2026.

Commenting on the changes, Angus Sullivan, CBA’s Group Executive, Retail Banking, said: “We know that interest rate changes can create additional pressure for our home loan customers, which is why we’re focused on providing support and helping them stay in control of their finances.”

Customers can access a range of tools and support, including through the CommBank app, by speaking with a lending specialist, or by using tools such as the digital home loan repayment calculator to explore options.

Quick tips to help manage your finances:

• Estimate how much your home loan repayments may change via the Home Loan Repayments Calculator.
• Eligible customers can align their home loan repayments to when and how often they are paid via the Home Loan repayment change tool. 
• Make the most of an offset account. An offset account is a transaction account linked to your eligible Standard Variable Rate, Simple Home Loan and Digi Home Loan that can help you pay less interest over time. For customers looking to maximise the benefits of offsetting, up to 99 Everyday Offset accounts can be linked to a CommBank Standard Variable Rate home loan. A $10 Offset Feature fee applies to link up to two Everyday Offset accounts to a CommBank Simple Home Loan, or one Everyday Offset account to a CommBank Digi Home Loan.
• Use our suite of budgeting tools to help manage your finances, including Money Plan in the CommBank app, which helps you to track your spending, stay on top of bills and set goals.
• Use Spend Tracker in the CommBank app to help categorise your debit and credit card transactions, making it easier to see the impact your spending decisions have on your everyday finances.
• Use Category Budgets to set weekly, fortnightly or monthly budgets for different categories of your spending – from entertainment to transport, eating out and shopping. You can see how your spend compares to the budget you set yourself, to help you stay on track.
• Visit our Cost of Living Support Hub to view a myriad of tools, tips and guidance all designed to help you navigate current cost of living pressures.
• Through Benefits Finder in the CommBank app and NetBank, you can find benefits, rebates and concessions you might be entitled to. The extra money claimed could help you save money or pay for everyday expenses.
• If additional assistance is needed, customers can message us at any time in the CommBank app to be connected with our Financial Assistance Solutions Team.

The Hague, the Netherlands, 3 February 2026 – The City of The Hague is investing €100,000 in the European project AccessHubs, an initiative designed to make borrowing and renting everyday items more accessible. The project encourages residents to share and rent products rather than own them, helping to reduce waste and support a more circular economy.

The investment aligns with the city’s broader circular economy goals, which focus on extending the lifespan of products, preventing waste, and reducing the need for new raw materials. Funding for the project comes from the municipality’s Co-financing Fund, which helps attract additional European funding for innovative initiatives. In total, The Hague will receive more than €270,000 in EU support to strengthen local sharing and rental systems. By joining this international collaboration, The Hague aims to reduce material waste while offering affordable alternatives for residents, including those with limited financial resources.

“We throw away 200 million kilos of stuff every year, and that's a waste. With AccessHubs, we're taking a concrete step towards a city where sharing and reuse become a given. That's good for the environment and for our residents' wallets. Thanks to European collaboration, we can work faster and smarter towards a circular future for The Hague.”  Arjen Kapteijns, alderman for energy transition, mobility and raw materials.

The AccessHubs project builds on work the municipality is already doing to support circularity. The Hague has set the goal of becoming 50% circular by 2030 and is actively promoting reuse, supporting circular entrepreneurs, improving waste separation, and recovering valuable materials.  

The municipality expects the first lending desks to be developed in neighbourhoods where access to everyday items can make the greatest difference. These include areas such as Laak, Transvaal, Segbroek and Loosduinen, subject to consultation with local partners. The focus will be on lending practical items with high social value, particularly electronics and household appliances such as phone chargers, hairdryers and kitchen equipment.  

The lending desks will be physically embedded in places residents already visit and trust, including local shops, DHL collection points, telecom stores, neighbourhood supermarkets and community spaces such as community centres, churches and mosques. While a digital application will be developed to request items, the physical presence of the hubs is essential to reach residents facing financial hardship, limited digital access or literacy challenges, and to lower feelings of shame. By combining accessible locations with personal contact, The Hague aims to make sharing a normal, dignified and inclusive part of daily life.

Read the full story on Stories of Purpose: https://storiesofpurpose.thehague.com/impact/hague-opens-lending-desks-promote-sharing-and-renting-reduce-waste  

About The Hague & Partners
The Hague & Partners is the official marketing & acquisition organisation for the promotion of The Hague, focused on residents, visitors, conferences, businesses and institutions. https://thehague.com/en  

UAE Partners with Colossal Biosciences to Protect Biodiversity and Champion

the Future of Life on Earth

The collaboration positions the UAE as a global leader in conservation, driving pioneering initiatives in science, biodiversity, and the safeguarding of life on Earth

Dubai UAE – The UAE today announced a major initiative with Colossal Biosciences to advance global conservation, biodiversity, and scientific research. The collaboration will support pioneering work in environmental protection, de-extinction, and knowledge-driven solutions to safeguard life on Earth.

SYDNEY, 3 February 2026 – Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) Australia and MSF New Zealand welcomes Tom Roth as its new executive director. Roth brings more than two decades of humanitarian leadership to the role – including 17 years working with MSF globally.

“It's a privilege to be able to work with MSF again. It is a critical time in the humanitarian sector, and I look forward to ensuring MSF remains focused on responding to the multiple humanitarian crises in the world today and the enormous need we are confronted with on a daily basis.”

Australian winery Brown Brothers has been named among Forbes’ World’s 50 Best Wineries, securing 12th place globally following votes from an international academy of wine experts. The ranking places Brown Brothers alongside some of the most influential and respected wine producers in the world.

The recognition highlights not only the quality of Brown Brothers’ wines, but the winery’s long-standing role in shaping modern winemaking through innovation, mentorship and sustainable practice.

“Global recognition like this is incredibly meaningful for our family and our team,” says Katherine Brown, winemaker and fourth-generation member of the Brown family. “It reflects generations of commitment to quality, curiosity and sharing what we know — values that continue to guide how we make wine today.”

Established in 1889, Brown Brothers has remained family-owned for more than a century and continues to operate from its historic home in Milawa, Victoria, at the heart of Australia’s King Valley. Across four generations, the winery has built a reputation for balancing tradition with experimentation, producing both classic varietals and boundary-pushing styles.

As a founding member of Australia’s First Families of Wine, Brown Brothers is recognised for its heritage and leadership within the Australian wine community. A strong culture of learning has seen many former Brown Brothers winemakers and oenologists progress to senior roles across the global wine industry, contributing to the winery’s lasting international influence.

Today, that philosophy is experienced firsthand at the Brown Brothers Cellar Door, where visitors can explore a diverse range of wines, from the highly awarded Patricia range to playful, contemporary styles including Moscato Lush Lychee and Prosecco Yuzu Lemon Spritz.

The winery also offers unique experiences such as the Prosecco Brunch, a feast of indulgence paired perfectly with Brown Brothers Prosecco, the Wine and Food Adventure, a guided journey through the Kitchen Garden followed by a bespoke lunch at the Brown Brothers Restaurant, led by Head Chef Bodee Price.

The Forbes recognition coincides with another industry milestone for Brown Brothers: the launch of Australia’s first aluminium Prosecco bottle. Designed to be lighter, faster-chilling and infinitely recyclable, the packaging innovation supports the winery’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint, including a target to cut Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 50% by 2030.

“This is about building a future that respects where we’ve come from,” Katherine Brown adds. “Innovation, whether in the vineyard, the winery or how we package our wine, is essential to ensuring Brown Brothers continues to thrive for generations to come.”

For more information on Brown Brothers wines visit brownbrothers.com.au.