S&P, Nasdaq open at record highs on US–EU deal optimism
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (.DJI), opens new tab rose 45.1 points, or 0.10%, at the open to 44946.98. The S&P 500 (.SPX), opens new tab rose 9.0 points, or 0.14%, to 6397.69, while the Nasdaq Composite (.IXIC), opens new tab rose 68.1 points, or 0.32%, to 21176.401.
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The Independent
18 minutes ago
- The Independent
Jinko Tiger solar panel review: best for high output in low light conditions
In this Jinko Tiger review, we take a closer look at one of the best-performing solar panels for UK homes, particularly when it comes to output in low-light conditions. The Jinko Tiger solar panel is a strong contender for anyone looking to cut their energy bills and boost their home's energy independence, especially in the UK's notoriously unpredictable weather. As solar power becomes more popular across the UK, homeowners are increasingly searching for the best solar panels that balance efficiency, cost, and durability. With so many unfamiliar brands and similar specs across the market, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. That's why this review helps you decide if the Jinko Tiger solar panel is right for your home and whether solar panels are truly worth the investment. Many panels now offer similar specifications on paper — comparable power output, 25- to 30-year lifespans, and sleek all-black designs. But with installation often representing the largest part of the overall cost of solar panels, and British weather posing its own set of challenges, the stakes for getting the right system are high. The boom in commercial solar farms has helped push the technology forward. Installation is still the biggest cost, so it pays to invest in long-lasting panels. Fortunately, costs have fallen dramatically over the past two decades, especially as China has scaled up manufacturing and innovation. But fitting panels still involves scaffolding, labor, and additional equipment to connect to your home mains, so it's wise to factor in total system cost, not just the panel price, when choosing the best solar panel installers. Why choose the Jinko Tiger? Price, installed: £1250 per kW Efficiency: 22 per cent Wattage per panel: 440W Type: N-Type Made in: China and Malaysia, US and Vietnam Degradation: 87.40 per cent after 30 years Warranty: 25 years for the product itself, 30 years for the degradation figure Founded in 2006, Jinko Solar has grown into one of the world's largest solar panel manufacturers. It's a Tier-1 producer, meaning it's been established for more than five years, is financially stable, and uses advanced, automated manufacturing techniques. The company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, offering greater transparency than many of its competitors. It's also invested in solar infrastructure, including a 20% stake in one of the world's largest solar farms in the UAE. Jinko is a member of the Solar Module Super League, a group of seven firms responsible for around half of the world's panel production. This is a useful guide on a company's financial strength, but as a consumer rather than an investor, you may have other priorities. That's why our Jinko Tiger review highlights a few of the panel's standout features: For the Jinko Tiger solar panels themselves, the stats are fairly middle of the road compared to others we have reviewed, but all our featured solar panels have good warranties, power output, efficiency and useable lifespan. But while the Jinko Tiger solar panel doesn't offer the very highest wattage on the market, its balance of efficiency, degradation rate, and price make it a solid choice for UK homes. You can also take confidence in Jinko's scale and track record. If your preferred installer works exclusively with Jinko Tiger solar panels, rest assured you're still getting a dependable, cost-effective product. A bit like flat-screen TVs, intense competition in the solar panel market means prices have dropped while quality has risen. Jinko benefits from this trend, offering panels with great low-light performance, ideal for the UK's overcast climate as well as early morning and evening sunlight. The panels use N-type cells, which degrade more slowly than standard P-type cells, so they maintain output better over time. They're also resistant to salt mist, making them a good choice for coastal homes that need extra protection. The panels weigh in at 22kg, a shade lighter than most, and measure 1.76m by 1.13m. They are 3cm thick. Pros: Strong low-light performance Reliable, well-established manufacturer Solid all-round efficiency and warranty Cons: Jinko Tiger panels deliver reliability and performance with robustness and high energy output in weak light conditions. They're a great choice for customers who want quality, affordability, and performance from one of the best solar manufacturers in the world Edward McKay at fitter Solar4Good How we compiled our guide To compile our list, we spoke to experts on the ground and have broken down the top-performing brands based on real-world value, not just technical specs. We've prioritised long-term performance, value for money, and the reputation of the best solar panel installers in the UK. And if you're wondering if solar panels are worth it for your home, this guide is designed to help you make a smart, informed decision that pays off over time, whether you're upgrading an old array or fitting solar panels for the first time. Most panels are guaranteed for 25 years and offer similar power output, size, efficiency and looks. So we've weighted our judgement towards cost and degradation, which describes how much power the cells will provide after a number of years. The higher the percentage, the better. Much of your decision will also depend on which installer you go with, as many have preferred brands they work with due to bulk purchasing. You'll also see a lot of unfamiliar Chinese names as you do your research, but many of these are Tier-1 manufacturers in clean energy with strong track records in quality and durability. Why trust us
The Guardian
19 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Republicans slam Trump's firing of Bureau of Labor Statistics chief
Senior Republican lawmakers are condemning the decision of their party leader, Donald Trump, to fire the leading US labor market statistician after a report that showed the national economy added just 73,000 jobs – far fewer than expected – in July. The disappointing figures – coupled with a downward revision of the two previous months amounting to 258,000 fewer jobs and data showing that economic output and consumer spending slowed in the first half of the year – point to an overall economic deterioration in the US. Trump defended his decision to fire US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) commissioner Erika McEntarfer. Without evidence to back his claims, the president wrote on social media that were numbers were 'RIGGED in order to make the Republicans, and ME, look bad' and the US economy was, in fact, 'BOOMING' on his watch. But the firing of McEntarfer, who had been confirmed to her role in January 2024 during Joe Biden's presidency, has alarmed members of Trump's own party. 'If the president is firing the statistician because he doesn't like the numbers but they are accurate, then that's a problem,' said Wyoming Republican senator Cynthia Lummis. 'It's not the statistician's fault if the numbers are accurate and that they're not what the president had hoped for.' Lummis added that if the numbers are unreliable, the public should be told – but firing McEntarfer was 'kind of impetuous'. North Carolina senator Thom Tillis, a Republican, said: 'If she was just fired because the president or whoever decided to fire the director just … because they didn't like the numbers, they ought to grow up.' Kentucky senator Rand Paul, another Republican, questioned whether McEntarfer's firing was an effective way of improving the numbers. 'We have to look somewhere for objective statistics,' he said. 'When the people providing the statistics are fired, it makes it much harder to make judgments that you know, the statistics won't be politicized.' According to NBC News, Paul said his 'first impression' was that 'you can't really make the numbers different or better by firing the people doing the counting'. Tillis and Paul were both opponents of Trump's recent economic legislative package, which the president dubbed the 'big, beautiful bill'. But Alaska senator Lisa Murkowski, a Republican who supported the legislation after winning substantial economic support for her state, remarked that the jobs numbers could not be trusted – and 'that's the problem'. 'And when you fire people, then it makes people trust them even less,' she said. William Beach, a former BLS commissioner appointed by Trump in his first presidency, posted on X that McEntarfer's firing was 'totally groundless'. He added that the dismissal set a dangerous precedent and undermined the BLS's statistical mission. Sign up to This Week in Trumpland A deep dive into the policies, controversies and oddities surrounding the Trump administration after newsletter promotion Beach also co-signed a letter by 'the Friends of the Bureau of Labor Statistics' that went further, accusing Trump of seeking to blame someone for bad news and calling the rationale for McEntarfer's firing 'without merit'. The letter asserted that the dismissal 'undermines the credibility of federal economic statistics that are a cornerstone of intelligent economic decision-making by businesses, families and policymakers'. The letter pointed out that the jobs tabulation process 'is decentralized by design to avoid opportunities for interference', adding that US official statistics 'are the gold standard globally'. 'When leaders of other nations have politicized economic data, it has destroyed public trust in all official statistics and in government science,' the letter said. Democrats have also hit out at Trump's decision. Vermont senator Bernie Sanders described it as 'the sign of an authoritarian type', and he said the decision would make it harder for the American people 'to believe the information that comes out of the government'. Paul Schroeder, executive director of the Council of Professional Associations on Federal Statistics, described the president's allegation against McEntarfer as 'very damaging and outrageous'. He said: 'Not only does it undermine the integrity of federal economic statistics, but it also politicizes data which need to remain independent and trustworthy. This action is a grave error by the administration and one that will have ramifications for years to come.'
Daily Mail
19 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Report: 'Trump accounts' for newborns could grow to $1.9M
Babies born this year could become millionaires before they turn 30, thanks to the 'Trump accounts' established when President Donald Trump signed the 'big, beautiful bill' into law earlier this month. Fox Business reported Wednesday that the one-time government investment of $1,000 per child could grow to as much as $1.9 million by the time that individual turns 28 if the account if fully funded and left untouched. The Treasury assessment found that if a maximum contribution is made each year on the child's birthday through age 17 the account could grow to between $191,500 and $676,400. The money can't be used until the individual turns 18. A child's Social Security number has to be provided in order for parents to sign up. The current law applies to children born between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2028. Democrats have raised concerns about the program due to a comment uttered Wednesday by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. 'In a way, it is a back door for privatizing Social Security,' Bessent said at an event hosted by Breitbart News. 'If, all of a sudden, these accounts grow and you have in the hundreds of thousands of dollars for your retirement, that's a game-changer, too,' he added. On Thursday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer gave a floor speech on the matter. 'Yesterday, the Trump administration did something they rarely do – they told the truth. It wasn't Donald Trump, but it was one of his minions. They told the truth,' the New York Democrat said. 'The Trump administration, in this case, was talking about wanting to privatize Social Security.'
