Watson's Daily

Tuesday 13/06/23

In TECH NEWS, the US eases its stance on chipmakers, Google ad-tech comes under fire, the US regulators side with the UK on Microsoft/Activision and Chinese tech companies suffer. In REAL ESTATE NEWS, unusual measures are employed to tempt Chinese…

Monday 12/06/23

In FINANCIALS NEWS, UBS sets parameters in the CS takeover, HSBC is to outline SVB plans, Odey makes changes and Andreessen aims for London. In CONSUMER & CONSUMER GOODS NEWS, London homeowners face painful mortgage hikes, Waitrose cuts prices, Nike…

Friday 09/06/23

In MACRO, MARKETS & OIL NEWS, Europe falls into recession, the UK needs to watch out, CAB seeks out an IPO, CRH decides to quit London and Hunt is about to ease oil windfall tax parameters. In CONSUMER, RETAIL &…

Thursday 08/06/23

In MACRO, COMMODITIES & CURRENCY NEWS, the OECD calls for fiscal tightening, China's exports fall, the Eurozone looks vulnerable, oil traders profit from the energy crisis, greenwashing gets a bashing, El Niño forecasts cause concern, the Turkish lira falls and…

Wednesday 07/06/23

In MACRO NEWS, we look at the Ukrainian dam breach and its consequences, the World Bank touts its views and Australia gets a shock interest rate rise. In CONSTRUCTION & REAL ESTATE RELATED NEWS, UK construction activity increases, we look…

Tuesday 06/06/23

In TECH NEWS, a Russian cyber attack hits the BBC, Boots and British Airways, we look at the latest discussions in AI, Apple reveals its expensive headset, Spotify sheds 200 and a former ByteDance exec admits state interference. In FINANCIALS/PROPERTY…

Monday 05/06/23

In BIG PICTURE & BUSINESS TRENDS NEWS, OPEC decides on oil production cuts, Coinbase suffers, higher inflation is powering fast-food chains and AstraZeneca bets on China. In TECH NEWS, Apple's set for a big announcement and we look at why…

Friday 02/06/23

In MACRO, MARKETS & ENERGY NEWS, the US avoids default, Eurozone inflation falls, UK deals dry up while some investors use AI to source suitable ones, renewables' capacity looks set to ramp up and OPEC restricts guests. In RETAIL NEWS,…

Thursday 01/06/23

In MACRO, ENERGY & CRYPTO NEWS, the US and UK see slowing growth, while France and Germany see falling inflation, Erdogan lifts Turkey, a new gas deal demonstrates the pulling power of the US and crypto could get a boost.…

Wednesday 31/05/23

In MACRO NEWS, Turkey faces pressure, Spain's inflation surprises but UK inflation looks set to stay higher. In TECH NEWS, AI pioneers sound warnings while Nvidia hits $1tn. In CONSUMER, RETAIL & LEISURE NEWS, US consumers have a wobble, UK…

Tuesday 30/05/23

In MACRO & POWER NEWS, China falters, Erdogan wins, Sánchez gambles and nukes need to hurry up. In TECH NEWS, AI chips get scarcer, WPP does an AI deal but there are power issues. In RETAIL & CONSUMER NEWS, Amazon…

Friday 26/05/23

In MACRO NEWS, the US slows down and Germany falls into recession. In TECH NEWS, Nvidia booms, OpenAI warns Europe, Bertelsmann sees opportunities in AI, TikTok tests its own AI chatbot and the metaverse loses investors. In RETAIL & CONSUMER…

Thursday 25/05/23

In TECH NEWS, Samsung faces its first ever strike, TikTok adapts, Meta begins its final round of layoffs, tablets get the upper hand and Embracer abosolutely tanks. In CAR-RELATED NEWS, the UK car industry calls for more slack on export…

Wednesday 24/05/23

In MACRO NEWS, the Bank of England faces criticism, the IMF eats humble pie and has a meddle while suggestions about crypto regulation are made by IOSCO. In TECH NEWS, Apple signs a massive deal with Broadcom, Meta sells Giphy,…

Tuesday 23/05/23

In TECH NEWS, South Korea has a delicate chip situation, we look at reactions to Facebook's fine and WhatsApp gets a new feature. In BANKS NEWS, global investment banks hit a China speed bump, JP Morgan talks about splashing out…

Monday 22/05/23

In TECH NEWS, China boots Micron, Facebook eyes Magic Leap while getting fined for mishandling user info, speculation surrounds Apple and the metaverse and we see the battle between iMessage and Snapchat. In LEISURE NEWS, Ryanair has designs on Europe,…

Friday 19/05/23

In TECH & TELCOS NEWS, we look at chipmaking in Japan, the plan for semiconductors in the UK, TikTokers taking Montana to court, Apple restricting employee use of ChatGPT and BT's job-cutting plans. In CONSUMER, RETAIL & LEISURE NEWS, consumer…

Thursday 18/05/23

In MACROECONOMIC NEWS, Japan exits recession, Europe softens towards the UK, the Bank of England acknowledges the wage-price spiral and South Africa could be heading for the naughty step. In RETAIL NEWS, Shein raises $2bn, Target earnings are squeezed, JD…

Wednesday 17/05/23

In MACRO, OIL & CRYPTO NEWS, Thailand's election result stirs things up, Putin continues to rake in the oil revenues and MPs call for crypto to be treated as gambling. In CONSUMER, RETAIL & LEISURE NEWS, US consumer spending rebounds…

Tuesday 16/05/23

In MACRO & COMMODITIES NEWS, the EU gets more positive, Italy scrambles to change its spending plans, Erdogan nears another victory and Newmont seals a $19bn deal with Newcrest. In CONSUMER, RETAIL & LEISURE NEWS, UK petrol prices are criticised,…

Monday 15/05/23

In MACRO NEWS, the G7 and EU rule on Russian gas pipelines while Argentina faces tough choices. In FINANCIALS NEWS, the Bank of England aims to dilute rules for lenders, the EY Item Club reckons lending will increase and 'sustainable'…

Friday 12/05/23

In MACRO NEWS, the Bank of England raised the interest rate and it looks like the ECB will continue to do the same. In TECH & MEDIA NEWS, the EU tightens up on AI and we look at whether AI…

Thursday 11/05/23

In BIG PICTURE & LAW NEWS, US inflation eases, Binance targets the UK, Microsoft invests in fusion, the UK keeps most EU laws, Ryanair beats the EU and Gen Z falls out with Big Law. In TECH NEWS, Google announces…

Wednesday 10/05/23

In BIG PICTURE & OIL NEWS, China investment in Europe drops, Erdogan dishes out pay rises, firms hire temps, confidence in the UK property market has a wobble and Saudi Aramco sees profits fall. In CONSUMER & RETAIL NEWS, bills…

Tuesday 09/05/23

In MACRO NEWS, Germany edges closer to recession and Goldman reckons UK interest rates will hit 5%. In CONSUMER, EMPLOYMENT & BUSINESS TRENDS NEWS, 100% mortgages return, UK shoppers rein it in, WFH loses its lustre and bosses get optimistic.…

Friday 05/05/23

In MACRO, MARKETS & OIL NEWS, the ECB raises rates, the CMA vies for global impact and Shell unveils record profits!. In TECH NEWS, the big AI meeting happened and we look at why everyone is scared, how lawyers are…

Thursday 04/05/23

In MACRO, MARKETS, OIL & GAS NEWS, the Fed raises interest rates, LSE listing rule changes cause debate, oil majors rake in the trading revenues and France is left behind on gas. In TECH NEWS, AI faces a UK review,…

Wednesday 03/05/23

In MARKETS, MACRO & OIL NEWS, UK listing rules get a revamp, UK manufacturing is in a rut and BP unveils "heinous" profits. In TECH/AI NEWS, an AI pioneer departs with a warning, education companies take an AI hit, Amnesty…

Tuesday 02/05/23

In BANKS NEWS, First Republic gets picked up by JP Morgan. In BUSINESS, CONSUMER & EMPLOYMENT NEWS, defence spending broadens, UK SMEs feel more confident, European shoppers push back, staycations herald good news, NDAs face scrutiny and grads have difficulties…

Friday 28/04/23

In MACRO, OIL & BUSINESS TRENDS NEWS, the US economy slows, the UK keeps the majority of European laws, Argentina's interest rates head to eye-watering levels, BP resists pressure, China focuses on foreign businesses and the UK gets its mojo…

Thursday 27/04/23

In TECH NEWS, the Microsoft/Activision Blizzard deal gets booted by the CMA, Meta ends its slump and Tencent continues to search overseas. In FINANCIALS NEWS, First Republic can't shake off contagion worries and Standard Chartered rides high. In CONSUMER &…

Who Cares About….Web 3.0?? by Andrew Spencer

What's the story?, What's all the fuss about Web 3.0? Why is it interesting?, It could be the biggest shake-up of the internet since its creation!. So what?, Web 3.0 is coming but we don't know quite how or when…

Wednesday 26/04/23

In TECH NEWS, European tech laws loom large, Twitter looks unprepared, Microsoft and Alphabet outperform expectations and Microsoft promises to unbundle Teams. In CONSUMER, RETAIL & LEISURE NEWS, UK grocery price inflation stays high (probably due in part to consumer…

Tuesday 25/04/23

In MACROECONOMIC NEWS, US plays Pacific wargames, Australia overhauls its defence strategy, across-the-board export sanctions on China are rejected, India's population overtakes China's and the ECB looks likely to keep raising rates. In TECH NEWS, Apple wins its Epic Games…

Monday 24/04/23

In MACRO, MARKETS & COMMODITIES NEWS, UK inflation speculation continues, Wall Street comes up with a new fear gauge, BP is going to feel the pressure and central banks buy gold. In TECH NEWS, the US increases chip pressures re…

Friday 21/04/23

In TECH NEWS, Insta retreats, Meta and the metaverse look tricky, Google plans to use AI for ads, Twitter cuts legacy check marks and China's drone supremacy causes concern. In RETAIL & CONSUMER NEWS, Whole Foods talks cuts, Ikea announces…

Thursday 20/04/23

In MACRO & CRYPTO NEWS, the Fed warns of mild recession, Bailey lays the ground for more interest rate rises and we look at why crypto needs to change. In FINANCIALS NEWS, the ECB and BoE talk about strengthening banks,…

Wednesday 19/04/23

In MACRO, GAS & CRYPTO NEWS, UK inflation is expected to dip, EU gas storage levels are high but Putin makes more threats and Coinbase sets its sights on the UK. In BUSINESS & CONSUMER TRENDS NEWS, VW commits to…

Tuesday 18/04/23

In MACRO & COMMODITIES NEWS, China's economy expands, Lagarde warns of US-China consequences, China retaliates while some of its companies relocate and lithium prices weaken. In FINANCIALS NEWS, Apple makes a splash, US banks see withdrawals, EY makes cuts and…

Monday 17/04/23

In MACRO NEWS, we look at the effect of strikes on the UK economy, BT's war games simulating a Taiwan invasion, G7 minister promises on fossil fuels and the vulnerability of US LNG projects. In FINANCIALS NEWS, the Bank of…

Friday 14/04/23

In MACRO NEWS, China shows restraint, the UK flatlines, BP commits to Gulf of Mexico and Teck rejects Glencore again. In FINANCIALS NEWS, the LSE is to clear crypto trades, Twitter does a tie-up with e-Toro, Hunt looks at raising…

Thursday 13/04/23

In MACRO & CRYPTO NEWS, the Fed warns of mild recession, Bailey lays the ground for more interest rate rises and we look at why crypto needs to change. In FINANCIALS NEWS, the ECB and BoE talk about strengthening banks,…

Wednesday 12/04/23

In MACRO, COMMODITIES & BITCOIN NEWS, we see a gloomy IMF, Glencore upping the ante and Bitcoin breaking $30k. In TECH NEWS, Biden considers AI rules, China proposes new AI rules and SoftBank commits to a stateside IPO. In FINANCIALS…

Tuesday 11/04/23

In MACRO NEWS, China ups the ante with Taiwan and we look at the positives of the CPTPP. In BUSINESS & CONSUMER NEWS, US companies see a massive fall in profits, Europe's biggest SPAC closes, the first batch of China…

Friday 07/04/23

In MACRO NEWS, the IMF predicts gloom, China uses its grip on rare earth materials, Binance gets an Ozzie push-back and UK regulators turn their attention on finfluencers. In TECH NEWS, brands increase TikTok spending, Google cracks down on loan…

Thursday 06/04/23

In FINANCIALS NEWS, the Swiss government cuts CS bonuses, hedge funds rake it in on bank turmoil, BlackRock gets called in to manage asset disposals, a new European defence ETF launches, Vanguard looks to exit China and VC funding for…

Wednesday 04/04/23

In MACRO NEWS, sterling rises, BoE economists debate the next interest rate move, China continues to retaliate and Shell is set to get $1.2bn. In FINANCIALS NEWS, Wall Street suffers Citrix impact, Dimon blames regulators, Credit Suisse investors vent and…

Tuesday 04/04/23

In OIL NEWS, the price jumps on OPEC's production cut, we look at the reasons behind the cut and how it helps US shale while Putin pushes exports to a new high. In TECH NEWS, we compare GPT-4 and Bard,…

Monday 03/04/23

In MACRO & OIL NEWS, China retaliates, Finland's PM loses election and oil prices surge. In FINANCIALS NEWS, the Credit Suisse takeover gets investigated, financial regulators ponder the future, UK vetting rules in finance get relaxed and thousands of City…

Friday 31/03/23

In MACRO & ECONOMIC INDICATOR NEWS, the UK joins the CPTPP, Finland is cleared to join NATO, inflation falls in Spain and Germany while deal-making falls but UK business confidence rises. In BANKING NEWS, we reflect on the current crisis…

Thursday 30/03/23

In MACRO NEWS, Britain progresses towards the CPTPP, Shapps reiterates commitment to 2030, Spain tries to address pension shortfall and Erdogan tries to curry favour with lower energy bills. In FINANCIALS NEWS, UBS goes backwards to go forwards and Binance…

Wednesday 29/03/23

In MEDIA & LEISURE NEWS, UK broadcasting rules get a massive overhaul, Disney ditches the metaverse and William Hill gets a big fine. In TECH NEWS, Apple launches BNPL in the US, Twitter changes the rules, chipmakers face a dilemma…

Tuesday 28/03/23

In MACRO NEWS, Russia and China retaliate against the West, Hungary gets behind Finland's NATO application, Netanyahu delays judicial reforms, Binance is threatened with a trading ban and the Treasury shelves plans for an NFT. In TECH NEWS, the US…

Monday 27/03/23

In MACRO NEWS, Putin plans nukes in Belarus and Russia adopts China's renminbi. In BANKING NEWS, we look at the ongoing impact of the current banking crisis. In TECH NEWS, we look at the practicalities of banning TikTok in the…