Watson's Daily

Wednesday 03/08/22

In SPENDING TRENDS NEWS, I take a look at what we are spending money on, what we're going to have to spend money on and what we're not spending money on. In UK PROPERTY NEWS, UK house prices keep rising…

Tuesday 02/08/22

In MACRO, ENERGY & OIL NEWS, Nancy Pelosi goes to Taiwan, Hong Kong falls into recession again, UK manufacturing slumps, wind turbines get bigger and Saudi Aramco goes shopping. In REAL ESTATE NEWS, we see headwinds for office property and…

Monday 01/08/22

In MACRO, OIL & ENERGY NEWS, China manufacturing dips, UK firms swerve investment and sanctions on Russian oil trading are eased while the US ponders sanctions on companies supporting Iranian oil shipments and companies consider energy conservation. In INDUSTRY TRENDS,…

Friday 29/07/22

In MACRO & ENERGY NEWS, US GDP contracts again, Shell and Centrica boom, EDF makes a big loss and German consumers face massive bills. In TECH NEWS, Apple outperforms, Amazon posts a net loss, Meta has difficulties and Twitter's in…

Thursday 28/07/22

In MACRO, ENERGY & CRYPTO NEWS, the Fed hikes again, Goldman predicts Eurozone recession, Hungary falls into line, Equinor and Iberdrola see profit rises, National Grid puts coal plants on standby and there's a Bitcoin law change. In CONSUMER/CONSUMER GOODS…

Wednesday 27/07/22

In MACRO & ENERGY NEWS, the IMF cuts growth forecasts, European gas prices rise so Putin and Drax benefit while Germany faces tough nuclear decisions. In CONSUMER & RETAIL RELATED NEWS, consumers continue to get squeezed, consumer goods companies raise…

Tuesday 26/07/22

In REAL ESTATE NEWS, Chinese property companies rally on bailout hopes as UK mortgage brokers chase deals. In RETAIL NEWS, Walmart has a profit warning, WH Smith bounces back and Aldi pays more. In COST-OF-LIVING NEWS, household spending power keeps…

Monday 25/07/22

In ENERGY & BATTERY-RELATED NEWS, EU countries want gas cut exemptions and the UK's National Grid begged Belgium for electricity while Tesla considers opening its charging network, we look at how a British battery centre has boosted battery power and…

Friday 22/07/22

In MACROECONOMIC & STEEL NEWS, the ECB hikes rates (at last), Italy calls a September election, South Africa announces a major interest rate increase and Tata makes a threat. In RETAIL NEWS, Amazon buys deeper into healthcare, Ocado rethinks expansion…

Thursday 21/07/22

In MACRO, ENERGY & COMMODITIES NEWS, Mario Draghi suffers, European gas rationing probably won't work, Sizewell C gets the OK, Tata Steel UK makes a long-awaited profit, BP says it can take the windfall tax and Baker Hughes has it…

Wednesday 20/07/22

In BIG PICTURE NEWS, China's real estate problems flare up, as do concerns about China/Taiwan, the Bank of England talks about a big rate hike, the IMF warns of European recession, France buys the rest of EDF, Chevron invests in…

Tuesday 19/07/22

In MACRO, ENERGY & CRYPTO NEWS, China locks down again, a Bank of England bod warns on interest rates, EU edges towards ordering gas usage cuts, Uniper is on the brink and the Netherlands' central bank punishes Binance. In FINANCIALS…

Monday 18/07/22

In AVIATION NEWS, Farnborough goes ahead, Rolls-Royce tries hydrogen - as does Johnson Matthey. In COST-OF-LIVING-IMPACT NEWS, younger people abandon streaming, Tesco gets price-matched and VeeTee threatens to take manufacturing abroad. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Musk's Starlink passes the Ukrainian test,…

Friday 15/07/22

In MACRO & ENERGY NEWS, Draghi causes a euro-stir, Britain powers Europe and Shell warns of tough times ahead. In TECH NEWS, Amazon concedes and employs, TSMC raises its forecasts, Ericsson suffers and Panasonic plans a major battery plant. In…

Thursday 14/07/22

In MACRO, ENERGY & CRYPTO NEWS, US inflation reaches epic levels, UK economic growth returns, the OBR relaxes, nuclear fusion investment raises hopes, solar panel demand rises and Celsius Network files for bankruptcy protection. In TECH NEWS, Google slows hiring,…

Wednesday 13/07/22

In BIG PICTURE NEWS, EDF prepares for nationalisation, oil dips below $100, the Euro hits dollar parity, birth rates fall to problem levels and the world's biggest SPAC shuts down. In CONSUMER-RELATED NEWS, UK consumer confidence hits a new low,…

Tuesday 12/07/22

In BIG PICTURE NEWS, Russia turns off the gas - with repercussions for Europe - while crypto comes under more scrutiny. In TECH NEWS, the China clampdown gets worse again, the Twitter vs Musk show develops, tech companies combine for…

Monday 11/07/22

In MACRO & CRYPTO NEWS, Japan's LDP wins by a landslide after Abe's assassination, the Tory leadership contest hots up and Europe warns about crypto. In NEWS ABOUT BUSINESSES IN TROUBLE, Klarna raises funds, Joules wants to do the same,…

Friday 08/07/22

In MACRO & OIL NEWS, BoJo quits, Hungary hikes its interest rate, Japan's former PM gets shot and Shell benefits from record fuel prices. In CONSUMER & RETAIL NEWS, the UK labour market remains tight, UK house prices defy gravity…

Thursday 07/07/22

In MACRO, ENERGY & CRYPTO NEWS, BoJo faces all kinds of nightmares, markets stay calm, Qatar benefits from the war, Macron nationalises EDF, a crypto broker goes bankrupt and Facebook ploughs on with NFT plans. In CONSUMER & RETAIL NEWS,…

Wednesday 06/07/22

In MACRO, GAS & COMMODITIES NEWS, we look at the Sunak/Javid aftermath, the gloomy Bank of England, South Korean inflation, Norway relenting in the face of oil and gas strikes and a proposed merger between Norilsk and Rusal. In CONSUMER…

Tuesday 05/07/22

In MACRO, ENERGY & CRYPTO NEWS, Germany has a deficit, Turkey's inflation goes ballistic, coal and UK gas prices boom while the crypto bank behind the cryptocrash stops withdrawals. In CONSUMER & RETAIL NEWS, suppliers pass on higher costs, flight…

Monday 04/07/22

In ENERGY & CRYPTO NEWS, we look at European and Japanese reliance on Russian gas, the rise in demand for solar panels, potential Rolls-Royce SMR sites and crypto woes. In INVESTMENT & BANK NEWS, ESG faces scrutiny, the PE investment…

Friday 01/07/22

In MACRO, ENERGY & CRYPTO NEWS, we look at NATO's shift, market wobbles, Sweden hiking interest rates, why inflation in the UK will be higher for longer, China's "coal-rush", Uniper wanting a state handout, Gazprom falling and whether crypto will…

Thursday 30/06/22

In MACRO, ENERGY & CRYPTO NEWS, US GDP indicates weakness, UK inflation is set to be higher for longer, Spain's inflation hits double digits, oil prices climbs, the UK threatens European gas supply, a crypto hedge fund fails and Celsius…

Wednesday 29/06/22

In MACRO & ENERGY NEWS, NATO talks China/Finland/Sweden, the ECB makes hints, Sunak faces tax choices and coal demand rises. In CONSUMER/RETAIL NEWS, China lifts restrictions while in the UK consumers pay higher prices, buy frozen food and avoid scratchcards…

Tuesday 28/06/22

In MACRO & ENERGY NEWS, the G7 talks Russia sanctions, Moscow defaults, Japan asks citizens to save power, National Grid moves to avoid blackouts and the UK turns to coal. In M&A NEWS, Robinhood creates a stir, VW cooks up…

Monday 27/06/22

In OIL, MACRO & ENERGY NEWS, the G7 cooks something up to annoy Russia while India continues to be a loophole, the central bank of central banks says we're at a "tipping point" and Macron backs his PM while France…

Friday 24/06/22

In MACRO, ENERGY & CRYPTO NEWS, the Fed could get friskier, China vows to stay on track, Norway surprises, Germany braces itself on gas, the cryptocrash looks real and Ronnie does NFTs. In CONSUMER TRENDS & RETAIL NEWS, confidence hits…

Thursday 23/06/22

In MACRO, ENERGY & CRYPTO NEWS, Italy's Five Star party splits, Europe is warned about a Russian switch-off, Rolls-Royce pushes for SMR approval and Binance's boss has a gloomy crypto outlook. In CAR & BATTERY NEWS, Ford warns of major…

Wednesday 22/06/22

In MARKETS, MACRO & ENERGY NEWS, Wall St has a 'mare, the US economy heads towards recession, SE Asia's economy rebounds, coal demand rises and plans are afoot for more mini-nukes. In FINANCIALS NEWS, we look at US banks' stress…

Tuesday 21/06/22

In BIG PICTURE NEWS, Europe races for coal, the Bank of England is urged to strengthen the pound and Celsius continues to freeze Bitcoin holdings. In RETAIL NEWS, JD.Com is a bit meh, Primark makes online moves and Ocado sucks…

Monday 20/06/22

In MACRO, ENERGY & CRYPTO NEWS, Macron suffers a major setback, UK City bosses predict recession, Germany decides to fire up coal power stations and the crypto shocker continues. In REAL ESTATE NEWS, UK property insolvencies look set to rise…

Friday 17/06/22

In MARKETS, MACRO & ENERGY NEWS, markets tumble, EU leaders back Ukraine, the Bank of England and Swiss National Bank raise rates, Germans are told to cut energy consumption and BG does a deal with Norway. In REAL ESTATE NEWS,…

Thursday 16/06/22

In MACRO, ENERGY & CRYPTO NEWS, the Fed makes a drastic rate hike, gas prices rise, BP invests big in renewables and crypto continues to take a massive drubbing. In CONSUMER & RETAIL TRENDS, US consumers hold back, China retail…

Wednesday 15/06/22

In CRYPTO NEWS, Coinbase aims to cut almost 20% of its workforce and players fear the crypto winter. In CAR-RELATED NEWS, Ford announces a Mach-E recall, UK EV subsidies disappear and the Pentagon ups the stakes for rare earths. In…

Tuesday 14/06/22

In MACRO, MARKETS & CRYPTO/CURRENCIES NEWS, the Fed could get super-aggressive, US and UK markets take a pasting, the Yen and Sterling reach new lows versus the Dollar while Bitcoin falls further. In TECH NEWS, Big Tech makes concessions, Chinese…

Monday 13/06/22

In MACRO, MARKETS AND ENERGY-RELATED NEWS, US recession next year appears likely, flotations tank while more M&A is expected in Japan and we look at the food as energy debate. In CONSUMER/RETAIL-RELATED NEWS, fuel prices hit $5 a gallon in…

Friday 10/06/22

In MACRO & GAS NEWS, China digs in with Covid but exports rise, the ECB aims to raise interest rates and European gas prices rise even more. In TECH NEWS, Big Tech spends big to fend off legislation, Apple goes…

Thursday 09/06/22

In MACROECONOMIC NEWS, both the G20 and the BCC are down on the UK's economic prospects while Sunak is urged to cut taxes. In UK REAL ESTATE NEWS, average house prices rise but home inquiries slow as Lloyds Bank raises…

Wednesday 08/06/22

In MACRO & CRYPTO NEWS, World Bank warns, Germany suffers, Australia hikes the interest rate and OpenSea navigates choppy waters. In CONSUMER TRENDS & RETAIL NEWS, Londoners reckon WFH is here to stay, fuel prices make EVs viable, JD Sports…

Tuesday 07/06/22

In MACRO AND OIL & GAS NEWS, BoJo survives while Russia's oil & gas problems make waves around the world. In TECH NEWS, China's tech nightmare eases, Big Tech lobbies hard, Apple unveils new stuff, GoTo announces BNPL, Musk has…

Monday 06/06/22

In MACROECONOMIC NEWS, Biden relents on sanctions and tariffs, Japan changes its stance on defence and Australia accuses China. In NEWS ON EMPLOYERS & EMPLOYEES, bankruptcies look set to boom, lawyers push for wellbeing, City bonuses run riot while CFA…

Wednesday 01/06/22

In MACROECONOMIC NEWS, Eurozone inflation hits a new high while the EU and UK ban insurance for Russian oil cargoes. In CONSUMER/RETAIL NEWS, UK mortgage approvals slide, UK credit card spending rises, food prices increase while grocery chains squeeze suppliers…

Tuesday 31/05/22

In ENERGY & OIL NEWS, the government scrambles for North Sea gas, EDF has problems, EU leaders restrict Russian oil imports and oil prices exceed $120 a barrel. In CONSUMER & RETAIL NEWS, UK car ownership falls, food prices come…

Monday 30/05/22

In MACRO, MARKETS & ENERGY NEWS, central banks raise interest rates, China tries to open Shanghai, South Korea's IPO pipeline wanes and BoJo has a nuclear hiccup. In CONSUMER & EMPLOYMENT NEWS, Americans travel, Brits' enthusiasm for the gym slows…

Friday 27/05/22

In MACRO & MARKETS NEWS, the US economy contracts, Russia cuts interest rates again, Sunak brings in the windfall tax and other measures and the UK listing rules are set to change. In RETAIL-RELATED NEWS, Alibaba posts slow growth, US…

Thursday 26/05/22

In MACRO & CRYPTO NEWS, more US rate rises look likely, China gets downbeat, Russia ups pensions and the minimum wage, Sunak is on the verge of announcing a windfall tax and crypto is a mixed bag. In CAR-RELATED NEWS,…

Wednesday 25/05/22

In BIG PICTURE NEWS, the global tax deal looks wobbly, Qatar pledges to invest in the UK, UK biz activity growth slows, the windfall tax thing edges closer and the ECB sticks the boot in with crypto. In CONSUMER/EMPLOYMENT/RETAIL NEWS,…

Tuesday 24/05/22

In MACRO & ENERGY NEWS, Biden commits to Taiwan, Italy's economy suffers, Sunak bows to windfall tax pressure, the US faces blackouts and Siemens Energy goes for Gamesa. In TECH NEWS, Broadcom's in talks to buy VMware in $50bn deal,…

Monday 23/05/22

In REAL ESTATE NEWS, we look at the current state of office property and holiday lets. In CONSUMER & RETAIL NEWS, the boss/worker pay gap widens, energy bills are likely to stay higher for longer, M&S faces price rise challenges…

Friday 20/05/22

In M&A NEWS, a PE crackdown looks imminent, Twitter looks watertight, McDonald's finds a buyer for its Russia business and Brookfield swoops for HomeServe. In AUTOMOTIVE NEWS, Mercedes declares focus on high-end and Renault goes for hydrogen. In STREAMING NEWS,…

Thursday 19/05/22

In MACROECONOMIC NEWS, Turkey's Erdogan blocks NATO accession talks while Sunak warns us to strap in. In RETAIL & REAL ESTATE NEWS, Target and Walmart weakness trigger a US sell-off, Burberry goes more niche, Watches of Switzerland sees sales boom,…

Wednesday 18/05/22

In RETAIL/CONSUMER NEWS, US retail sales rise, Walmart has a 'mare, UK unemployment hits new lows and parents finance kids. In FINANCIALS NEWS, Allianz agrees a massive settlement, Mastercard tries something new and Thought Machine doubles its valuation. In SOCIAL/MEDIA…