Watson's Daily

Thursday 12/10/23

In RETAIL, CONSUMER GOODS & LEISURE NEWS, Next aims for FatFace takeover, Jigsaw benefits from smart clothing, Birkenstock's IPO is disappointing, Marston's streamlines the menu, FirstGroup has a strong summer and Disney hikes prices. In AUTOMOTIVE-RELATED NEWS, Chinese EV suppliers…

Wednesday 11/10/23

In BIG PICTURE NEWS, Fed rate chat boosts markets, the IMF reckons UK rates will need to remain higher and there's more talk of the EU planning an anti-subsidy probe into Chinese companies - and it's steelmakers this time. In…

Tuesday 10/10/23

In MACRO, OIL & ENERGY NEWS, we look at the latest in Israel/Gaza and the repercussions, OPEC increases oil demand forecasts and the world's biggest offshore windfarm project kicks off. In FINANCIALS NEWS, Big US banks face hurdles, HSBC deepens…

Monday 09/10/23

In BIG PICTURE NEWS, we consider events in Israel and their impact while Poland pushes for Germany's manufacturing crown. In HIGH STREET NEWS, Metro Bank survives, Waitrose is in talks with Amazon, the UK high street evolves, pubs suffer but…

Friday 06/10/23

In MACRO NEWS, the WTO cuts trade forecasts, Starmer refuses to go against the HS2 decision while a train manufacturer is in hot water. In CAR NEWS, GM launches an all-electric line-up but faces potentially massive recall, Sunak's EV actions…

Thursday 05/10/23

In BIG PICTURE NEWS, Sunak announces reforms, the UK services sector surprises, the bond market heralds tough times ahead and commodity price slides hit Anglo American. In BUSINESS TRENDS NEWS, US food giants contemplate the Ozempic impact, Macau bounces back…

Wednesday 04/10/23

In TECH & STREAMER NEWS, the EU gets cautious on tech exports to China, Apple bows to China pressure, Meta considers charging, Spotify makes a foray into audiobooks and Netflix considers another price rise. In CAR NEWS, automakers make sales…

Tuesday 03/10/23

In BIG PICTURE NEWS, the HS2 debate heats up, Rolls-Royce stays in the mini-nukes race and factory output has a massive fall. In SOCIAL/MEDIA NEWS, ByteDance turns a profit, X hires the services of Paris Hilton and Netflix aims to…

Monday 02/10/23

In BUSINESS TRENDS NEWS, China puts hopes on Golden Week, eastern Europe benefits from the China exodus, UK exporters pay the price of Sunak's retreat and the construction industry suffers while we see bankers calling for more deals and VCs…

Friday 29/09/23

In MACRO & COMMODITIES NEWS, Germany struggles, the oil price won't get a shale reprieve and olive oil stocks are running out. In M&A AND BUSINESS TRENDS NEWS, TAP goes up for sale, Arcelik/Whirlpool faces scrutiny, dealmaking hits a decade…

Thursday 28/09/23

In CURRENCY & OIL NEWS, we look at why sterling is weakening and the consequences of China nearing "peak oil". In FINANCIALS NEWS, private valuations come under scrutiny, Binance withdraws from Russia and space insurance becomes increasingly necessary. In REAL…

Wednesday 27/09/23

In MACRO & BUSINESS TRENDS NEWS, the pound has a torrid time, the business environment in China deteriorates and Meta pays big money to break its London office lease. In CONSUMER & RETAIL TRENDS, US consumer confidence falters, UK first-time…

Tuesday 26/09/23

In BUSINESS & CONSUMER TRENDS NEWS, global trade slows, western companies adapt to the China situation, China property woes risk contagion, UK manufacturing responds to Sunak's retreat, London offices plummet in value, the outlook for retail sales improves, Aldi moves…

Monday 25/09/23

In MACRO & COMMODITY NEWS, the UK economy looks set to slow, Russians dodge oil sanctions while Greek shipping magnates benefit and healthy gas stocks bode well for the winter. In AUTOMOTIVE NEWS, carmakers call for an EU tariff delay…

Friday 22/09/23

In BIG PICTURE NEWS, the Bank of England left interest rates unchanged, Sunak enjoys an interesting week, a VC firm splits out its China business and Russia imposes a diesel export ban. In CONSUMER, RETAIL & LEISURE NEWS, UK consumer…

Thursday 21/09/23

In MACROECONOMIC NEWS, the Fed held rates, Sunak reins in climate commitments and inflation could hit 5% by year end. In REAL ESTATE NEWS, US warehouses hold up, Dubai property prices spike on Russian buyers, UK property price inflation drops,…

Wednesday 20/09/23

In BIG PICTURE NEWS, we see how EVs could hit the US election, the OECD is down on the UK, UK inflation weakens, Sunak is about to backpedal whilst also facing an oil headache and EU companies continue to rail…

Tuesday 19/09/23

In BIG PICTURE NEWS, Hungary drags its feet on Sweden's NATO bid, we look at how far interest rates could fall, the WEF predicts AI's impact on jobs, S4 Capital takes a hammering, UK businesses see a fall in orders…

Monday 18/09/23

In MACRO & OIL NEWS,China has issues, the Fed could defy investors, the Bank of England is expected to raise interest rates, UK manufacturing hunkers down and oil prices head to $100 a barrel. In TECH NEWS, the China/Apple thing…

Friday 15/09/23

In BIG PICTURE NEWS, the ECB hikes rates, higher fuel prices bite, Maersk dabbles with green methanol and China attacks the EU's move on EVs. In CONSUMER, RETAIL & LEISURE NEWS, US consumer prices rise, the wage differential between London…

Thursday 14/09/23

In BIG PICTURE NEWS, US inflation rises, the UK economy contracts, the Saudis and Russians pump up the oil price, the EU pushes back against China's EVs and the EU backs new air pollution limits. In SERVICES & EMPLOYMENT NEWS,…

Wednesday 13/09/23

In BUSINESS TRENDS NEWS, we look at China's business sentiment, China's car makers being on the verge of overtaking Japan, the clamour for arms, German gloom, the UK's resurgence and developments in law. In CONSUMER/RETAIL NEWS, pay rises exceed inflation,…

Tuesday 12/09/23

In TECH NEWS, the US does chunky chip and AI deals in Vietnam, Qualcomm gets a new Apple contract, Arm sees decent demand, Instacart tests investor appetite and AI could control the skies in future. In RETAIL & LEISURE NEWS,…

Monday 11/09/23

In BUSINESS TRENDS NEWS, Beko warns of the China threat, PwC tries to cut conflict of interest and UK firms look vulnerable. In CONSUMER & RETAILER NEWS, consumers face rents that could rise four times as fast as buying, Waitrose…

Thursday 07/09/23

In MACRO & ENERGY NEWS, the Bank of England reckons we've reached peak rates, Erdogan officially changes tack and governments pour money into fusion. In RETAIL & LEISURE NEWS, Waitrose jobs are vulnerable, Ocado cuts prices, Sainsbury's evolves its fashion…

Wednesday 06/09/23

In MACRO, OIL & ENERGY NEWS, Chinese and European services sectors wobble, opinions on the UK contrast, Turkey has a bumpy road, oil prices hit $90 while North Sea oil production falls and the onshore windfarm ban gets lifted. In…

Tuesday 05/09/23

In BIG PICTURE NEWS, Country Garden gets a reprieve, Chinese banks sail close to the wind, we look at why inflation in Europe is higher than the US and how Germany sees falling exports. In CAR-RELATED NEWS, BMW warns about…

Monday 04/09/23

In MACRO NEWS, US interest rates could have peaked, China's slowdown causes ripples in Asia and Hunt expects an inflation blip. In CONSUMER, RETAIL & LEISURE NEWS, consumers get hit by fuel price rises, M&S keeps improving, Aldi expands in…

Friday 18/08/23

In FINANCIALS NEWS, Beijing orders defence of the yuan, Zhongzhi causes panic, Adyen has a nightmare, UK banks have to provide and EY warns staff. In TECH NEWS, Google DeepMind tests a personal life coach AI, Tui launches an AI…

Thursday 17/08/23

In RETAIL, LEISURE & CONSUMER NEWS, Target faces a backlash, Home Depot makes ground, M&S's revival continues, Aldi aims to add more jobs, Jamie Oliver goes upscale and UK consumers face the steepest rent rise in seven years. In FINANCIALS…

Wednesday 16/08/23

In MACRO NEWS, China cuts a bank rate and stops reporting youth unemployment numbers while Japan surges, Russia hikes its interest rates and gas prices rise on the threat of Aussie strikes. In CONSUMER & RETAIL NEWS, US consumers buy…

Tuesday 15/08/23

In MACRO NEWS, Russia has rouble problems and America feels the effects of China's slowing economy. In TECH NEWS, Saudi Arabia and UAE make a chip grab, AI jobs earn top dollar and Foxconn stays China-centric. In REAL ESTATE NEWS,…

Monday 14/08/23

In BUSINESS, EMPLOYMENT & INVESTMENT TRENDS, we see more windfall taxes, Posco satisfying the Americans, private equity betting on the NHS healthcare crisis, the current state of wages, Saudi investment in sport and what happened to Hindenburg's recent shorts. In…

Friday 11/08/23

In RETAIL & LUXURY GOODS NEWS, Amazon cuts house brands, Alibaba outperforms forecasts, Aldi cuts prices, Wilco fails, Ralph Lauren falters, Tapestry buys Capri Holdings and Watches of Switzerland blames the tourist tax. In TECH NEWS, the US wants allies…

Thursday 10/08/23

In MACRO & COMMODITIES NEWS, China slips into deflation and Meloni's credibility takes a hit while fruit prices and rice prices increase. In CONSUMER GOODS, RETAIL & LEISURE NEWS, Sony's in a storm, Birds Eye's owner benefits from higher prices,…

Wednesday 09/08/23

In MACRO & COMMODITIES NEWS, Chinese exports fall, Italy imposes a surprise tax on banks, Glencore suffers the commodity price blues and Cornish Lithium gets some money. In TECH NEWS, Google and Universal do an AI deal, SoftBank makes investment…

Tuesday 08/08/23

In MACRO, OIL & ENERGY NEWS, Germany suffers, Saudi Aramco pays out, sceptics diss the fusion illusion but then Siemens warns, wind is in crisis and France exports energy to the UK. In CONSUMER, BUSINESS & EMPLOYMENT TRENDS, UK spending…

Monday 07/08/23

In MACRO, ENERGY & COMMODITIES NEWS, Chinese economists are told to be more positive, US scientists make a fusion breakthrough, Asian energy groups flock to London and Rio Tinto has copper plans. In BUSINESS, EMPLOYMENT & CONSUMER TRENDS, US companies…

Friday 04/08/23

In MACRO & OIL NEWS, the Bank of England raises interest rates, the UK services sector weakens, Turkey's inflation rate jumps and oil prices rise on Saudi threats. In TECH & GAMING NEWS, Apple beats expectations, Altman's Worldcoin runs into…

Thursday 03/08/23

In MACRO, MARKETS & COMMODITIES NEWS, the US downgrade prompts anger, European IPOs dwindle and wheat prices rise. In REAL ESTATE-RELATED NEWS, house price discounts increase, rental home numbers are likely to fall further, home-buyers take on longer mortgages and…

Wednesday 02/08/23

In BIG PICTURE NEWS, Saudi finances get tricky, UK industry gets gloomy and UK house prices drop dramatically while more lenders cut mortgage rates. In FOOD & DRINK NEWS, Greggs wants to expand, Starbucks does well in China, Diageo puts…

Tuesday 01/08/23

In MACRO, OIL & CURRENCY NEWS, El Niño's set to take its toll and the Eurozone economy returns to growth while stocks, oil and sterling rebounded over the month. In CONSUMER & BUSINESS TRENDS NEWS, mortgage approvals and consumer credit…

Monday 31/07/23

In MACRO & OIL NEWS, the Bank of England is expected to raise interest rates this week and oil majors face more scrutiny. In TECH NEWS, Apple's due this week, we look at X's ambitions, SK Hynix and Samsung benefit…

Friday 28/07/23

In MACRO & COMMODITIES NEWS, US economic growth picks up, the ECB raises interest rates, Shell and Total see profits fall, British Gas sees profits boom and Anglo American is hit by a sluggish China. In TMT NEWS, the EU…

Thursday 27/07/23

In MACRO & COMMODITIES NEWS, the Fed hikes US interest rates again, Spain's power vacuum has consequences and Rio Tinto reports falling demand. In TECH NEWS, Meta surges, Threads loses steam and tech companies get together to sort AI. In…

Wednesday 26/07/23

In MACRO NEWS, the IMF gets more upbeat, UK businesses get more confident on hiring and Brussels has a grain plan. In TECH NEWS, Sam Altman's world expands, Microsoft benefits from AI, Google's sales jump, X cuts ad prices, Snap's…

Tuesday 25/07/23

In MACRO, ENERGY & CURRENCY NEWS, China promises to boost the economy, Spain's at an impasse, a UK battery storage plant gets the OK and the pound has a bad run. In TMT NEWS, we look at the latest in…

Monday 24/07/23

In UK MACRO & MARKETS NEWS, the UK faces economic stagnation but UK stocks rally after last week's inflation news. In BUSINESS TRENDS NEWS, UK exports to the EU rise, consultant work dries up in China and City lawyers brace…

Friday 21/07/23

In CONSUMER, RETAIL & LEISURE NEWS, UK consumer confidence drops but Premier Foods thinks price rises have peaked while the CMA looks into it. We look at house prices, mortgages and rents, M&S gets rebuffed while consumers' desire for holidays…

Thursday 20/07/23

In MACRO NEWS, the UK's inflation slowdown prompts hope and Thailand's in a pickle. In TECH & MEDIA NEWS, ASML has a healthy backlog, Microsoft/Activision extend the deadline and Netflix moves forwards. In CONSUMER, RETAIL & LEISURE NEWS, the UK…

Wednesday 19/07/23

In TECH NEWS, Microsoft makes moves in AI and stays committed to Activision Blizzard while more writers join the AI lawsuit, Asian superapps falter and Darktrace feels relieved. In CONSUMER, RETAIL & LEISURE NEWS, US retail sales boost confidence but…

Tuesday 18/07/23

In MACRO, ENERGY & COMMODITIES NEWS, China's slowdown has repercussions, Rolls-Royce edges closer to making its SMRs, wheat prices rise on the lapse of the Black Sea deal and olive oil is is in crisis. In CONSUMER & RETAIL TRENDS,…

Monday 17/07/23

In TECH & MEDIA NEWS, Microsoft/Activision advances, Twitter's cashflow still falls short, Hollywood's strike looks like it could have a major impact and Netflix gets more subscribers. In BUSINESS & CONSUMER TRENDS, Multinationals shift in China, UK companies collapse and…

Friday 14/07/23

In MACRO & ENERGY NEWS, China's exports fall, its slowing economy hits oil and we look at why it's approaching deflation while the ECB looks to continue increasing interest rates, Europe decides to resume Japanese food imports, the UK's GDP…