Eurozone Companies Predict Lower Wage Increases For Next Year

According to a recent survey by the European Central Bank (ECB), businesses across the Eurozone are anticipating smaller wage increases over the next 12 months. The study reveals that wage growth is expected to moderate to 3.3%, down from the previous estimate of 3.8% three months ago. This adjustment reflects a broader trend of cautious economic expectations amid ongoing inflationary pressures and financial uncertainties.

Key Findings and Economic Implications

The ECB’s survey, which assesses companies’ access to financing and their economic outlook, indicates a slight reduction in expectations for selling price increases, now forecasted at 3% compared to 3.3% previously. ECB officials are closely monitoring these metrics to gauge the trajectory of inflation and its alignment with the 2% target. The anticipated decline in wage growth is seen as a positive indicator, suggesting a potential easing of inflationary pressures, as a 3% wage increase is generally consistent with the desired inflation rate for consumer prices.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

Despite a general slowdown in overall inflation to 2.5%, the services sector remains a concern, with inflation still high at 4.1%. The ECB warns that companies in this sector expect higher increases in selling prices, labour costs, non-labour input costs, and employment over the next year compared to other sectors. These expectations highlight the continued inflationary challenges within the services industry, necessitating careful policy considerations.

Sectoral and Financial Insights

The survey also sheds light on the financial landscape for businesses. Companies reported more positive developments regarding the availability of bank loans, with fewer firms experiencing restricted financing conditions in the second quarter. Additionally, there was a slight decrease in the demand for bank loans and an improvement in the availability of these loans, suggesting a more favourable financing environment for businesses.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Palo Alto Networks Unveils Cortex AgentiX, Advancing Autonomous Cybersecurity

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 28, 2025

Palo Alto Networks is setting a new benchmark in cloud security by unveiling Cortex AgentiX, a suite of autonomous artificial intelligence agents designed to automate aspects of cybersecurity. This strategic advancement underscores the company’s commitment to evolving its security ecosystem to meet the escalating sophistication of cyber threats.

Driving Innovation in Cyber Defense

The Cortex AgentiX platform marks a pivotal development in the cybersecurity landscape. These AI-driven agents are engineered to conduct threat intelligence investigations, manage email breach responses, and integrate seamlessly across a variety of existing security vendor platforms. Initially available through Palo Alto Networks’ current cloud services, these agents will eventually launch as a distinct platform next year, illustrating a clear roadmap for future innovation.

Responding to Market Demands

CEO Nikesh Arora has emphasized that the introduction of these AI agents directly responds to growing customer demands for enhanced automation. While many agents will involve human oversight to validate actions, the deployment of Cortex AgentiX is a testament to the industry’s shift towards balancing automated efficiency with human judgment.

Navigating an Evolving Cyber Threat Landscape

In an era where advanced cyberattacks are increasingly prevalent, enterprises can no longer afford to rely on outdated security paradigms. Arora has voiced concerns over the complacency among firms that mistakenly assume their systems are impregnable. Recent events, such as the notable drop in cybersecurity firm F5’s stock following a major hack, underscore the urgent need for dynamic and adaptive security measures.

Strategic Integration for Enhanced Capabilities

The Cortex AgentiX launch comes on the heels of Palo Alto Networks’ landmark $25 billion acquisition of Israeli identity security vendor CyberArk. This integration is poised to bolster the company’s AI and security capabilities by merging robust identity security with state-of-the-art automated threat response. As Arora noted, the success of such integrations lies in leveraging the strengths of established teams and products to drive innovation forward.

By positioning itself at the cutting edge of cybersecurity technology, Palo Alto Networks is not only bolstering its product portfolio but also setting an industry standard for the seamless integration of AI in cyber defense. The company’s forward-looking approach is a clarion call to businesses worldwide: in the evolving world of digital threats, proactive innovation is essential to maintaining robust security.

Breaking news