- Revolut is turning its huge banking and payments user base into a built-in CFD and crypto trading audience.
- Prediction markets have logged a record $29.4 billion in monthly volume as brokers and market makers race to plug event contracts.
AI Can Mimic Bloomberg, but the Terminal Still Rules
AI tools marketed as “Bloomberg killers” can imitate parts of the terminal experience, but they struggle to replicate its core strength: the social and communication layer built around IB Chat. Experts caution that these systems are not designed as full replacements, with one saying they “haven’t attempted to nor intend to replace the terminal,” while another warns that large language model outputs may appear convincing but still require verification.
For many market professionals, the Bloomberg Terminal has become almost indispensable, with one derivatives head saying that a 24-hour outage would feel like “losing a limb” on a trading desk. Over decades, the terminal has survived corporate rivals, the 2008 crisis, and in-house systems by adapting and maintaining deep trust with users, even as new AI products like Perplexity’s “Computer” demonstrate they can mimic basic data feeds and charting in a Bloomberg-style interface.
ThinkMarkets Unveils MCP Server, Says “AI Can Trade, Not Touch Funds”
ThinkMarkets launched a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server, ChelseaAI, to enable traders to access its platform through any AI client. According to co-founder and CEO Nauman Anees, traders can connect any large language model (LLM) to place trades without logging into the platform. He described it as a shift in how trading ideas are generated and decisions are made.
Anees added that the integration removes the need for manual charting, indicators, automated trading setups, or market analysis, as these tasks can be handled by AI, reducing user friction. Despite the expanded functionality, ThinkMarkets emphasized that AI access to funds is restricted by design. The broker has also introduced a permissions system called “scopes,” allowing users to control whether AI is authorized to place orders on their behalf.
CMC Markets FY26 Pre-Tax Profit Rises 20%
In the CFD space, CMC Markets reported net annual operating income of £392.6 million for the fiscal year ended 31 March, marking a 15% increase. Pre-tax profit rose 20% to £101.3 million, with the pre-tax margin improving by 1 percentage point to 25.8%. EBITDA reached £117.8 million, up 14%, while earnings per share climbed 22% to 27.5 pence.
The company described the performance as its strongest on record outside the COVID-impacted FY2021. Looking ahead, CMC Markets expects operating income to grow by at least 17% in the current year, with projections ranging between £460 million and £480 million.
Gunmen Target Limassol Office Housing CFD Brokers
In a significant incident, gunmen opened fire on the Santa Barbara Business Centre in Limassol, a building that houses several CFD brokers, in the early hours of Wednesday. While brokerages operate in the building, the intended target may not have been one of them, according to information obtained by Finance Magnates.
Employees reported the incident to police after discovering bullet damage to the building’s glass facade, with marks clearly visible from outside. Local police confirmed they were alerted around 8 a.m., and initial findings showed that shots struck glass panels on a company’s balcony within the premises.
How to Spot a Dividend Cut Early
Europe’s dividend market is showing signs of strain, with several major companies cutting payouts as earnings weaken and financial pressures grow. According to Capital Group, dividend growth in Europe reached just 3.4% in the first quarter, supported partly by exchange rates, while cuts from companies such as Kering and Norwegian energy firms weighed on overall performance.
Analysts warn that rising debt, lower profits, and increased investment needs are forcing some of the region’s biggest income stocks to reduce or suspend dividends. Several high-profile firms have already taken action. Stellantis scrapped its ordinary dividend after reporting losses tied to its electric vehicle strategy, while Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo have reduced payouts.
In other sectors, Proximus cut its dividend by 50%, Acciona Energías Renovables slashed its payout by 93%, and Telefónica plans to halve its dividend in 2026. Analysts highlight key warning signs investors should watch, including weakening earnings and rising debt levels.
