Auchan Appeals Court Ruling Blocking Job-Cut Plan to France's Top Administrative Court

Auchan announced it will appeal to France's top administrative court to challenge a ruling that blocked its plan to cut 2,400 jobs. The group said the decision to reject its appeal was "legally incomprehensible" and based on procedural issues. The company emphasized the ruling does not cancel its announced redundancies or job protection plan.

UBS Group said it is preparing for a new wave of job cuts in mid-January as part of cost-cutting measures. The bank has been reviewing its cost base and trimming non-revenue-generating roles. Eric Lafon, global co-head of distribution in Singapore, left the bank in a mutual agreement last year.

The Trump administration's reversal of NIH diversity grant cuts has raised questions from an appeals court. The court suggested the agency's about-face should end the appeal. The government argued the NIH's abandonment of prior grant policies rendered the earlier challenges moot.

A federal appeals court upheld a prohibition on Trump's proposed cuts to NIH medical research funding. The ruling affirmed a lower court's decision that the cuts were unlawful. The administration had proposed capping overhead costs for research grants, which universities and hospitals said could threaten a broad range of scientific work.

Why Did Auchan Challenge the Ruling?

Auchan's appeal is based on procedural grounds, arguing the court's decision was not grounded in substantive economic rationale. The supermarket group has faced financial pressures and is implementing a job protection plan as part of its restructuring. It believes the ruling is contestable at the highest court level.

The ruling does not prevent Auchan from proceeding with its announced job cuts, which are part of a broader corporate strategy. The company has been navigating a competitive French retail environment, which is pushing some organizations to adopt more conservative employment policies .

How Will UBS's Job Cuts Impact Its Integration Strategy?

UBS is entering the final year of its integration of Credit Suisse, which increased its workforce by around 120,000 employees in a short period. The bank has since reduced the number by 15,000, but it still faces a target of 35,000 cuts.

The job cuts are part of UBS's effort to simplify its operating model and improve efficiency. The bank is also streamlining support functions and administrative roles to reduce costs. The latest round will occur in mid-2026 .

UBS has already experienced high-profile departures, including Eric Lafon in Singapore and Naohiro Kuroda in Japan. These moves signal a broader shift in the bank's leadership structure and a focus on leaner operations.

What Are Analysts Watching for in the Trump NIH Case?

Analysts are closely monitoring how the appeals court will interpret the Trump administration's reversal on NIH diversity grants. The court suggested the administration's reversal might render the appeal moot, raising questions about the legal strategy.

The original ruling from the lower court found the NIH lacked a valid rationale for its proposed cuts to research funding. The appeals court upheld this decision, reinforcing the idea that agencies must follow established procedures for changing grant policies.

The outcome could affect future administrative reversals in scientific and medical research funding. If the appeals court sides with the government's argument, it could set a precedent for how changes to existing grant policies are treated legally.