The Week in Numbers: liftoff for rates

STORY: From a long-awaited rate hike in Europe, to a bold target for Spotify, this is the Week in Numbers. First up…

A quarter of a percentage point is the rate hike the ECB plans in July. That would be the central bank’s first increase in 11 years. Analysts bet there are more hikes to come too, posing awkward questions for bank boss Christine Lagarde, who only recently said no increase was likely.

She says the reason for raising rates is all too clear:

"High inflation is a major challenge for all of us.”

$100 billion is how much Spotify reckons its annual revenue will total within ten years. That would be up almost ten-fold on current levels. To get there, the music streaming giant is promising high margins from podcasts and audio books.

37% was the Monday-morning surge for U.S. shares in Didi Global. That after reports that China was ending a probe into the ride-hailing firm. Later reports suggested regulators could also allow Ant Group to revive a record-breaking IPO. Investors hope it’s all a sign Beijing is easing off a crackdown on tech titans.

$3.4 billion is JetBlue’s improved offer for Spirit Airlines, which still prefers a bid by rival Frontier Group. Spirit had to delay a shareholder vote on accepting that bid though, saying it didn’t have enough support. The airline is now expected to seek better offers from both suitors.

And as much as 24% was the slump for shares in Ted Baker on Tuesday. That after the UK fashion chain said a planned takeover now wouldn’t happen. Media reports suggest a bid had been expected from Juicy Couture-owner Authentic Brands.