Watson's Daily

Tuesday 30/11/21

In MACRO & OIL NEWS, German inflation hits new highs and Gazprom coins it in. In OMICRON NEWS, airlines suffer, offices adapt, consumer spending could get iffy but vaccines may not take too long. In CONSUMER/TRENDS NEWS, cyber Monday ain't…

Monday 29/11/21

In CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS, Omicron hits travel, markets and meat supplies. In M&A AND IPO NEWS, Meta's takeover of Giphy looks iffy, the Inmarsat acquisition gets conditions and it seems like a lot of IPOs are underwater. In CONSUMER/TRENDS NEWS, Black…

Friday 26/11/21

In MACRO, ENVIRONMENT & ENERGY NEWS, Spain passes its biggest-ever budget and China emissions fall while Entice and Orbit are the latest energy companies to fail. In CONSUMER, RETAIL & LEISURE NEWS, we look at how American, British and German…

Thursday 25/11/21

In MACRO & OIL NEWS, Scholz moves forward but German business confidence does not and we look at Turkish lira impact and mounting pressure on OPEC. In SUPPLY CHAIN NEWS, UK factories struggle, Mulberry wants to expand in the UK…

Wednesday 24/11/21

In MACRO, MARKETS & OIL NEWS, Turkey's Erdogan remains defiant, the Bank of England's Bailey pouts, New Zealand raises interest rates again, London attracts its first SPAC and big countries try to push the oil price down. In RETAIL NEWS,…

Tuesday 23/11/21

In MACRO, ENERGY & CRYPTO NEWS, Jay Powell gets the nod, the European economy suffers, Bulb goes into administration and the China exodus fuels a crypto mining boom. In M&A NEWS, Athenahealth is sold for $17bn, Ericsson buys Vonage and…

Monday 22/11/21

In MACRO NEWS, China fires a hypersonic missile over the South China Sea. In REAL ESTATE-RELATED NEWS, the UK office market sees a mixed future while residential property considers an ultra long-term fixed rate mortgage, heat pumps and build-to-rent flats.…

Friday 19/11/21

In MACRO & ENERGY NEWS, Turkey's Erdogan does an Erdogan and National Grid sees booming profits. In CAR-RELATED NEWS, European car sales get more anaemic, Ford and GM get involved in chips and Apple aims for driverless. In M&A AND…

Thursday 18/11/21

In MACRO & OIL NEWS, Japan is to launch a stimulus, UK inflation goes beserk and Biden questions oil companies. In RETAIL & HIGH STREET NEWS, Target and TJX are upbeat about Christmas, Amazon gut punches Visa, House of Fraser…

Wednesday 17/11/21

In MACRO & ENERGY NEWS, the US and China hold nuke talks, Brazil's inflation goes crazy, UK employment goes up, Germany delays Nord Stream certification and Qatar invests in Rolls-Royce's SMRs. In RETAIL & LEISURE NEWS, Walmart ups forecasts, Home…

Tuesday 16/11/21

In MACRO, OIL & ENERGY NEWS, Japan's GDP contracted, Andrew Bailey reiterates inflation concerns, Shell shifts to the UK and power prices hit a new high. In SUPPLY CHAIN NEWS, Tesla supplies unfinished cars, Tyson Foods increases meat prices and…

Monday 15/11/21

In CORONA/POST-CORONATRENDS, Berry Bros celebrates, board games boom, a US REIT buys into British staycations, international restaurants aim for London, museums digitise, Wizz orders more planes and Airbus can't keep up with demand. In SUPPLY CHAIN NEWS, chip shortages force…

Friday 12/11/21

In MACROECONOMIC NEWS, Xi tightens his grip on power, India recovers, UK growth slows and Belarus makes gas threats. In CONSUMER/RETAIL TRENDS, Auto Trader booms, Ted Baker benefits from suiting up, WH Smith sees the light, frozen turkey sales rise…

Thursday 11/11/21

In MACRO, CLIMATE & ENERGY NEWS, we look at major developments in the US, China, Brazil, Germany and Poland while US/China commit, Russia turns on the gas and EDF readies for nuclear. In AUTOMOTIVE-RELATED NEWS, Rivian booms on debut, Musk…

InPost vs Amazon in the UK. Who will win the battle of the lockers? By Zuzanna Potocka

What's the story?, InPost wants to be the #1 choice in parcel locker boxes in the UK, taking on Amazon. Why is it interesting?, It's hugely popular in Poland but largely unheard of over here, meaning there's big growth potential.…

Wednesday 10/11/21

In MACRO & CRYPTO NEWS, there's another candidate for Powell's job, Bitcoin hits record levels and Apple considers crypto. In CONSUMER/RETAIL TRENDS, it seems that we are returning to offices and buying James Bond's watch while Primark outlines US ambitions,…

Tuesday 09/11/21

In MACRO, ENERGY & CRYPTO NEWS, central bankers have different ideas on inflation, gas prices skyrocket, China's power-down has supply chain impact, mini-nukes get funding and Bitcoin booms. In CONSUMER NEWS, world labour markets improve, UK consumer confidence continues to…

Monday 08/11/21

In MACRO NEWS, Biden gets his funding through, China ups the coal imports and UK business output continues to fall while the labour market remains tight. In ELECTRIC VEHICLE NEWS, EV charging gets a Biden boost, Tesla goes on Twitter,…

Friday 05/11/21

In MACRO, CLIMATE & CRYPTO NEWS, the Bank of England leaves interest rates (but furlough and wage numbers keep the pressure on), climate pledges have a wobble and BTS NFTs are going to be a thing. In POSTCORONATRENDS NEWS, airlines…

Thursday 04/11/21

In INTEREST RATES & ENERGY NEWS, the US and Europe dismiss interest rate speculation while the UK is on the cusp, green energy faces hurdles as industry calls for energy storage while coal miners profit. In RETAIL/SUPPLY CHAIN NEWS, Ikea…

Wednesday 03/11/21

In MACRO, CLIMATE & ENERGY NEWS, China advises food stockpiling, the government faces a North Sea dilemma, banks go under the microscope for their green promises and four more energy suppliers go bust. In SUPPLY CHAIN NEWS, Maersk warns that…

Tuesday 02/11/21

In MACRO, INFLATION & CRYPTO NEWS, India commits to an emissions target, factory prices skyrocket, diesel prices reach new highs and Bitcoin attracts more interest. In FINANCIALS NEWS, Franklin Templeton makes a bolt-on acquisition, Barclays has leadership turmoil and Nubank…

Monday 01/11/21

In MACRO, SUPPLY CHAIN & OIL NEWS, China manufacturing slows, Japan's LDP wins the election, Portugal seeks a new government, US warehouses are running out of space and Saudi Aramco's valuation climbs above $2tn. In CONSUMER TRENDS NEWS, first class…

Friday 29/10/21

In MACRO & OIL NEWS, US growth slows, traders bank on an interest rate rise and Shell targets emissions. In TECH NEWS, Facebook outlines a new future while both Amazon and Apple suffer. In UK PROPERTY NEWS, mortgage rates rise…

Thursday 28/10/21

In MACRO & TRENDS NEWS, we take a look at yesterday's UK Budget, advertisers' bullish spending intentions and inflation winners. In AUTOMOTIVE-RELATED NEWS, GM and Ford rue chip shortages, UK car production hits new lows and Hertz announces Uber links…

Will Facebook’s rebranding stop the Meta…Curse? by Yenli Nguyen

In What's the story?, Facebook is to announce its plans to shift from being a social media company to becoming a Metaverse company. In Why is it interesting?, CEO Mark Zuckerberg thinks the Metaverse is an inevitable ‘reality,’ which means…

Wednesday 27/10/21

In CONSUMER & RETAIL-RELATED NEWS, households fear inflation as prices rise but they spend on BNPL, which gets a boost with a Klarna/Strip tie-up. Meanwhile, Ikea buys Topshop's former flagship.... In CAR-RELATED NEWS, we look at reasons behind Tesla's success…

Tuesday 26/10/21

In CONSUMER-RELATED NEWS, house sales and petrol prices hit new highs - but an MPC member wants to wait-and-see for longer - and Americans are likely to hit the credit cards again. In CAR-RELATED NEWS, Tesla becomes a $1tn company,…

Monday 25/10/21

In MACRO NEWS, Poland fights back against the EU. In CONSUMER TRENDS/RETAIL-RELATED NEWS, consumer confidence weakens but employers aim to hire, the Giggling Squid and Las Iguanas do well, shoppers go mad for frozen, Tesco has an outage, in-store pick-up…

Friday 22/10/21

In MACRO, ENERGY AND CRYPTO NEWS, the US drops its tariff threat, Brazil hits difficulties and the UK's chief economist, manufacturers and consumers fret while Putin talks gas pressure and over 100,000 go wild for free crypto. In FIN/TECH NEWS,…

Thursday 21/10/21

In MACRO, ENERGY AND CRYPTO NEWS, inflation growth eases - but wages, paint prices and utility bills rise - SMRs could be the future of nuke and Bitcoin hits a new high. In CHINA CRACKDOWN NEWS, new home prices fall…

Wednesday 20/10/21

In SUPPLY CHAIN & CRYPTO NEWS, businesses say supply chain strain is to continue, restaurants and hotels face huge inflation and P&G ups prices while a Bitcoin ETF starts trading and Facebook launches a digital currency wallet. In POST-CORONATRENDS NEWS,…

Tuesday 19/10/21

In MACRO & ENERGY NEWS, speculation increases over an early UK interest rate rise and the merits/downsides of an online sales tax while French presidential hopeful Zemmour makes waves. Russia keeps gas prices up, Goto Energy goes under and the…

Monday 18/10/21

In MACRO & SUPPLY CHAIN NEWS, China's GDP growth slows, the Bank of England hints at an interest rate rise, China's energy crisis shows no signs of easing and Sunak mulls cutting VAT on energy bills. In JOBS & CONSUMER…

Friday 15/10/21

In MACRO, OIL & ENERGY NEWS, China's producer prices shoot up, shalers face higher costs and energy companies get sneaky with direct debits. In SUPPLY CHAIN NEWS, Biden's 24/7 approach has flaws, butchers are given visas, supply chain woes broaden…

Thursday 14/10/21

In MACRO, COMMODITIES & CRYPTO NEWS, US inflation rises, the UK economy picks up (but MPC members are banned from talking), Vietnam's recovery sputters, coal stages a comeback while aluminium and zinc prices hit new highs. US>China on crypto mining....…

Wednesday 13/10/21

In BIG PICTURE NEWS, NEWS, Germany's woes continue, the IMF downgrades the UK and recession fears rise, Maersk swerves Felixstowe and supply chain problems hit bikes and builders while Philip Morris and CureVac get involved in new vaccines. In CONSUMER…

Tuesday 12/10/21

In MACRO & SUPPLY CHAIN NEWS, everyone's talking about an interest rate rise, the oil price goes stronger and Felixstowe gets overwhelmed. In CONSUMER NEWS, confidence takes a beating, Christmas dinner will be more expensive, companies indulge in shrinkflation and…

Monday 11/10/21

In MACRO, OIL & SUPPLY CHAIN NEWS, the UK interest rate may rise earlier than expected, oil prices look likely to strengthen and retailers charter ships. In REAL ESTATE NEWS, we take another look at Evergrande's repercussions, UK mortgage rates…

Friday 08/10/21

In MACRO & GAS NEWS, both the ECB and Bank of England are worried about prolonged inflation as UK households face rising house prices, rail fares and secondhand car costs. Russia has gas and Ireland caves to Biden. In SUPPLY…

Thursday 07/10/21

In MACRO, MARKETS & ENERGY NEWS, Germany starts coalition talks against a backdrop of weak demand, inflation spooks markets while Poland and New Zealand increase interest rates and utility bills are set to go higher on expensive gas that Putin…

Wednesday 06/10/21

In SOCIAL MEDIA NEWS, Facebook faces a lot of questions and Ofcom cracks down on TikTok, Snap and OnlyFans. In REAL ESTATE NEWS, China's property situation is set to have repercussions while New York gets stronger. In RETAIL & CONSUMER…

Memes and avatars: What’s the tea on NFTs?

In What's the story?, The original image of the “Side-eying Chloe” meme was sold at auction as a “non-fungible token” (NFT) for £54,000. Bids kicked off at 5 Ether, the equivalent of £11,000 and it was bought by 3F Music..…

Tuesday 05/10/21

In MACRO, OIL & SUPPLY CHAIN NEWS, the German economy heads for slowdown, US oil hits a seven-year high, the UK fuel shortage is set to continue and the pork industry faces challenges. In RETAIL NEWS, US retailers fear a…

Monday 04/10/21

In MACRO & ENERGY NEWS, China sends ripples around the world, Ovo eyes Bulb and nuclear power goes up the agenda. In EMPLOYMENT NEWS, staff shortages continue, Sunak pledges a boost and there are appeals for HGV learner loans. In…

Friday 01/10/21

In MACRO, ENERGY & CRYPTO NEWS, China's manufacturing activity slows, Germany's inflation hits a 29-year high, UK GDP grows faster than expected, a new subsea cable project launches, Ofgem braces for another collapse and there are varying opinions on crypto.…

Thursday 30/09/21

In ENERGY, FUEL & FURLOUGH NEWS, the UK plans to kick China out of nukes, China itself suffers with coal shortages, 3 more UK energy suppliers go bust, fuel deliveries are prioritised and furlough comes to an end. In RETAIL…

Wednesday 29/09/21

In MACRO & GAS NEWS, the pound suffers from inflation and debt concerns, the government takes over Southeastern, wholesale gas prices keep rising and Serica benefits. In FUEL & CAR NEWS, the UK panic eases, fuel prices may be higher…

Tuesday 28/09/21

In ENERGY, FUEL & MACRO NEWS, China power outages hit supply chains, US LNG exporters aim to step in, the UK's fuel problem spreads, the case for nuclear power strengthens, oil prices head for $80 and the Bank of England…

Monday 27/09/21

In MACRO & SUPPLY CHAIN NEWS, Scholz's SPD wins, the US supply chain is struggling, businesses say that UK visa changes aren't enough, Shapps' longer hours plan hasn't worked and we take a look at the current petrol pump crisis.…

Friday 24/09/21

In MACRO, OIL & GAS NEWS, the Bank of England leaves inflation unchecked, oil production is set to rise in the US, winners emerge on gas price increases but Europe looks like it'll be next for CO2 shortages. In CHINA…

Thursday 23/09/21

In MACRO, EVERGRANDE & ENERGY NEWS, the Fed edges towards raising rates, Germany has a wobble, Evergrande calms fears, the US wades in to the gas drama and two more energy companies go bust. In M&A AND IPO NEWS, Netflix…

Wednesday 22/09/21

In CLAMPDOWN NEWS, we look at Evergrande and the wider China clampdown as the US Treasury imposes sanctions on a crypto exchange. In GAS NEWS, the IEA urges Russia to boost supply to Europe, the UK returns to square one…

Tuesday 21/09/21

In MARKETS & ENERGY-RELATED NEWS, Evergrande rocks global markets, Kwarteng reassures on gas, CO2 problems persist and mini-nukes could be the solution. In M&A AND INVESTMENT, Shell sells assets to ConocoPhillips, EA buys Playdemic, Pimlico Plumbers gets bought, Mishcon de…