Watson's Daily

Tuesday 05/04/22

In MACRO, ENERGY & CRYPTO NEWS, Turkey's inflation goes crazy, deeper sanctions against Russia are called for while Germany and supermarkets make adjustments, Oxford makes a nuclear fusion breakthrough and there are UK crypto developments. In CONSUMER, LEISURE & RETAIL…

Monday 04/04/22

In SANCTIONS & CONSEQUENCES, the EU considers more sanctions, Lithuania ends Russian gas imports, Europeans reconsider neutrality and farmers face big pressure. In CONSUMER & EMPLOYMENT NEWS, household finances continue to get squeezed by energy and milk while consumer confidence…

Friday 01/04/22

In MACRO, ENERGY & COMMODITIES NEWS, Putin gets feisty about gas payments, the US releases oil reserves, Cuadrilla gets the go-ahead, Australia makes a lithium breakthrough and Macron loses his edge. In CONSUMER & RETAIL TRENDS, more UK firms aim…

Thursday 31/03/22

In MACRO & ENERGY NEWS, Beijing cosies up with Moscow, inflation in Germany hits a 40-year high, Germany and Austria talk gas rationing, Shell gets a Cambo extension and BoJo blows colder on wind power. In CONSUMER & RETAIL NEWS,…

Wednesday 30/03/22

In MACRO & ENERGY NEWS, we look at developments in China, Taiwan, Australia and Spain while the EU wrestles with gas problems, SSE makes money and the government continues to push for solar. In CONSUMER & RETAIL NEWS, US pay…

Tuesday 29/03/22

In BIG PICTURE NEWS, China's having Covid problems, the US gets an early warning of recession, the UK faces energy choices and LNG supply may face delays. In CONSUMER & RETAIL NEWS, the Bank of England warns of hits to…

Monday 28/03/22

In BIG PICTURE NEWS, trouble looms in the Pacific and Biden ruffles feathers while BoJo's energy plans hit resistance, Macquarie buys into the UK gas network and solar/wind costs rise. In EMPLOYMENT NEWS, Grant Shapps agitates for P&O change, Amazon…

Friday 25/03/22

In MACRO, MARKETS & CRYPTO NEWS, the US agrees to supply more LNG, a tussle emerges between Sunak and BoJo, Moex reopens and the Bank of England talks tough on crypto. In SANCTIONS & CONSEQUENCES NEWS, the UK puts more…

Thursday 24/03/22

In MACRO, ENERGY & MARKETS NEWS, we take a look at the Spring Statement, Biden's bid to unite Europe, Scholz's tricky position, BoJo on windfarms, Russia's market opening again and how Ukraine will affect thinking on China and Japan's relations…

Wednesday 23/03/22

In MACRO & OIL NEWS, Biden cuts Trump tariffs, Sunak gears up for his Spring Statement, Russia chokes off oil and we look at the consequences. In AUTOMOTIVE NEWS, Musk opens his German gigafactory, auto loans face more challenges and…

Tuesday 22/03/22

In MACRO, OIL & ENERGY NEWS, Jay Powell signals more aggressive interest rate moves, the oil price rises again and the UK makes energy moves while the cost of street-charging an EV reaches a new high. In NEWS ON SANCTION…

Monday 21/03/22

In OIL & ENERGY NEWS, Saudi Aramco plans to increase oil production, Germany secures alternative gas supplies, BoJo goes nuclear and looks to the North Sea while pubs and M&S suffer with higher utility bills. In CONSUMER-RELATED NEWS, Brazil embraces…

Friday 18/03/22

In MACRO & COMMODITIES NEWS, the Bank of England raises the interest rate, BoJo faces energy conundrums, nickel weakens and Russia appears to settle is bond payments. In CONSUMER/TRENDS/RETAIL NEWS, Russians face difficulties, Japanese wages rise, Deliveroo wavers and Trainline…

Thursday 17/03/22

In BIG PICTURE NEWS, we look at the latest developments in Ukraine/Russia, Russia's approach to default, Putin's promises, China's intervention, the US interest rate rise and nightmare in commodities. In RETAIL/HIGH STREET NEWS, US retail sales rise, Walmart wants more…

Wednesday 16/03/22

In ACTIONS & CONSEQUENCES, we consider more actions, sanctions and their consequences on Tesla, energy and agriculture. In TECH NEWS, Intel goes large in Europe, Indonesia's GoTo aims to raise $1.3bn and Arm is to shed employees. In CONSUMER/RETAIL NEWS,…

Tuesday 15/03/22

In MACRO, MARKETS & ENERGY NEWS, we look at US/China/Russia thoughts, the effect on markets and how energy policies are having to adapt. In ACTIONS & CONSEQUENCES, Bayer considers cutting off crop supplies to Russia and Germany orders US fighter…

Monday 14/03/22

In MACRO, MARKETS & CRYPTO NEWS, the US is to hold talks with China about Ukraine, the Bank of England edges towards a rate rise, Chinese stocks fall on lockdown, Moscow's exchange stays shut, El Salvador prepares Bitcoin bond launch…

Friday 11/03/22

In ACTIONS & CONSEQUENCES, the exodus continues and Abramovich gets caught up but Putin strikes back with more threats while Russia faces debt default and a nightmare for Aeroflot. In CONSUMER & RETAIL NEWS, food inflation continues, Netflix raises subscription…

Thursday 10/03/22

In BIG PICTURE NEWS, Russia bombs a hospital, markets rally, nickel faces further suspension, fracking is back on the table and crypto gets a boost. In ACTIONS & CONSEQUENCES, we see who's pulled out and who's still in and consequences…

Wednesday 09/03/22

In MACRO & COMMODITIES NEWS, we look at whether Taiwan could be the next Ukraine, the US and UK bans oil from Russia, Shell stops buying Russian oil and we consider what may ensue while talks start with Maduro, nickel…

Tuesday 08/03/22

In MARKETS & COMMODITIES NEWS, the Rouble's collapse continues, markets baulk at a Russian oil ban while everyone looks for alternatives and gold gets squeezed higher. In ACTIONS & CONSEQUENCES, more big firms abandon Russia and the consequences of sanctions…

Monday 07/03/22

In MACRO & OIL NEWS, China aims low on growth, appeals are made for China as mediator, crude oil goes higher as the US talks to Venezuela and Total sticks with its Russian assets. In ACTIONS & CONSEQUENCES, UK lawyers,…

Friday 04/03/22

In CURRENT ACTIONS, we look at Putin's latest move, all of the companies abandoning Russia and Lukoil breaking ranks. In POSSIBLE ACTIONS, we look at how a potential ban on Russian oil and gas might look and Bitcoin's role in…

Thursday 03/03/22

In MACRO & OIL NEWS, US interest rates still look like they'll go up, Eurozone inflation hits a record high, the Russian economy faces difficulties and oil hits record highs. In NEWS ON ACTIONS & CONSEQUENCES, we see actions being…

Wednesday 02/03/22

In MACRO NEWS, China decides to get involved and Italy's economy rebounds. In ACTIONS, SANCTIONS & CONSEQUENCES NEWS, we look at ACTIONS where oil reserves have been released and Moscow bans investor exits, SANCTIONS, where shippers block Russian cargo, Apple…

Tuesday 01/03/22

In NEWS ON MARKETS, SANCTIONS & CONSEQUENCES, markets had a rollercoaster ride, more sanctions were imposed and consequences ensued. In CONSUMER-RELATED NEWS, UK train fares rise from today, petrol prices hit new highs, ABF says more food price increases are…

Monday 28/02/22

In MACRO NEWS, Putin puts nukes on high alert, China continues with pro-Russia neutrality stance and the prospect of global recovery fades. In NEWS ON SANCTIONS, CONSEQUENCES & RESPONSE, Russian interests in the air, sea and land face challenges while…

Friday 25/02/22

In MACRO NEWS, we look at the consequences of Putin's actions in sanctions and overall impact and Turkey's Erdogan feels the heat. In CONSUMER-RELATED NEWS, American consumers seek out experiences, UK consumer confidence is dented, St James's Place sees slowing…

Thursday 23/02/22

In MACRO NEWS, Russia invades Ukraine and BoE governor makes more stupid comments. In CAR NEWS, Stellantis makes a ton, Mini has to cut production and Aston Martin gets more optimistic. In FINANCIALS NEWS, Barclays coins it in while Peel…

Wednesday 23/02/22

In MACRO NEWS, the Ukraine situation heats up and has big consequences. In CAR-RELATED NEWS, Porsche is being lined up for an IPO and Tesla reverts to old tech. In TECH NEWS, Meta pushes Reels and Chinese edu-tech company New…

Tuesday 22/02/22

In MACRO & OIL NEWS, Putin orders troops into Ukraine, Russian stocks fall, European and UK business activity increase, BoJo lifts Covid legal restrictions, expectations increase for another interest rate rise while oil and petrol prices increase. In TRANSPORT/LOGISTICS-RELATED NEWS,…

Monday 21/02/22

In MACRO & OIL NEWS, Biden and Putin set up a summit, oil prices whipsaw and Big Oil pays. In CONSUMER/REAL ESTATE NEWS, BoJo is to ditch Covid restrictions, high energy prices have unexpected consequences, residential property asking prices rise…

Friday 18/02/22

In MACRO & CRYPTO NEWS, Biden warns of imminent invasion and we look at which Russian companies could suffer while the IMF rues lost growth, the ECB's chief economist shifts position and Sequoia allocates to crypto. In CONSUMER TRENDS/CHALLENGES NEWS,…

Thursday 17/02/22

In MACRO & CRYPTO NEWS, France weighs in on Russia, China thinks about Russia, there's more evidence that US interest rates will rise, the UK's rate of inflation continues to rise and crypto causes more kerfuffles. In PROPERTY & CONSUMERS…

Wednesday 16/02/22

In MACRO & OIL NEWS, Putin continues dialogue so stocks rise and oil eases while shale producers are tempted and US producer prices rise, the Eurozone suffers from rising energy costs and Japan's economy grows. In CAR-RELATED NEWS, average used…

Tuesday 15/02/22

In MARKETS & CRYPTO NEWS, global markets wobble and crypto assets come under focus. In CONSUMER-RELATED NEWS, petrol prices rise, commuting looks cheaper (although London's going to put through big price rises), BNPL players are forced to make changes and…

Monday 14/02/22 ❤

In MACRO, COMMODITIES & NFT NEWS, Scholz is set to warn Putin, a Ukraine airline grounds its fleet, tension pushes the oil price up, Lithuania tests EU resolve vs China, commodity prices rise and HMRC steps in on NFTs. In…

Friday 11/02/22

In MACRO, OIL & GAS NEWS, US inflation hit its highest level for 40 years, global inflation hits hard, Brussels cuts European growth forecasts, the UK aims to reform Solvency II legislation, Total announces a buyback and UK faces gas…

Thursday 10/02/22

In MACRO & ENERGY/OIL-RELATED NEWS, we look at how sanctions against Russia could hurt Europe, BoJo goes brave/stupid, the UK oil regulator is against a windfall tax and there was a major step forward in nuclear fusion. In UK REAL…

Wednesday 09/02/22

In COMMODITIES NEWS, BP rejects windfall tax suggestions, US shale producers face temptation and aluminium prices hit new highs. In TECH NEWS, Arm/Nvidia fails while Apple priorities and announces a new service. In CONSUMER/PRICE TRENDS NEWS, there's more gloom on…

Tuesday 08/02/22

In MACRO NEWS, the US/Germany present an un-united front, Lagarde goes soft and Bitcoin strengthens. In CONSUMER & PRICE TRENDS NEWS, the cost of living hits spending, house prices increase (but at a slower rate), used EVs sell like hot…

Monday 07/02/22

In CONSUMER NEWS, we look at challenges facing UK consumers, the appeal of a four-day week and Chanel handbag trends. In TECH NEWS, AstraZeneca announces record annual revenues and a number of vaccine winners face a more realistic future. In…

Friday 04/02/22

In MACRO & OIL NEWS, the Bank of England increases the interest rate as Sunak attacks fuel bills and markets bet on more rate rises, the ECB expresses concern about inflation but does nothing, Turkey's inflation spins out of control…

Thursday 03/02/22

In MACRO NEWS, Eurozone inflation hits a record high, the Treasury and Bank of England are set to work in concert as lenders pull mortgages, Gove unveils levelling up plan and UK national security legislation limits options. In CONSUMER TRENDS…

Wednesday 02/02/22

In MACRO & OIL NEWS, the market bets on ECB rate rises, UK inflation is powered by snacks and Exxon rides high. In CONSUMER & RETAIL NEWS, the US job market stays tight while consumer confidence wanes and in the…

Tuesday 01/02/22

In MARKETS & MACRO NEWS, the S&P and NASDAQ have a tough month, Eurozone growth falls, German and Spanish inflation stays high, markets expect a UK interest rate rise and the BoJo party debacle continues. In CONSUMER/RETAILER NEWS, food and…

Monday 31/01/22

In MACROECONOMIC NEWS, the UK mulls Russia sanctions and we look at how a Swift ban might affect it as Mattarella rides again in Italy and the Bank of England looks likely to raise interest rates again. In CONSUMER/RETAIL NEWS,…

Friday 28/01/22

In MACROECONOMIC NEWS, we look at Russia sanctions, China's backing and support from Ukraine (but not Hungary) while the US unveils strong economic growth and an attack on inflation that could have UK consequences. In CONSUMER/RETAIL TRENDS NEWS, consumers are…

Thursday 27/01/22

In MACRO, OIL & CRYPTO NEWS, people gear up for Russia/Ukraine repercussions, the Fed looks to increasing interest rates, oil hits $90 and Facebook admits defeat in crypto. In AUTOMOTIVE-RELATED NEWS, UK car production drops to 65-year low, VW criticises…

Wednesday 26/01/22

In MACRO, OIL & SUPPLY CHAIN NEWS, the IMF states the obvious (as usual), sanctions are discussed for Russia, BoJo awaits, shaler Chesapeake rises from the dead and America runs low on chips. In EV/CHARGING NEWS, GM commits more to…

Tuesday 25/01/22

In MACRO, MARKETS & ENERGY NEWS, the Russia/Ukraine situation escalates, markets wobble and gas prices feel the heat while BoJo faces more allegations. In BUSINESS/CONSUMER TRENDS NEWS, European businesses take an Omicron hit, UK businesses face major inflation woes and…

Monday 24/01/22

In MACRO & CRYPTO NEWS, the Ukraine situation escalates, the Fed edges towards raising interest rates and Bitcoin gets sold off. In ELECTRIC VEHICLE NEWS, a trio of giants pool resources to up their EV game and Britishvolt strikes a…

Friday 21/01/22

In MACRO, ENERGY & CRYPTO-RELATED NEWS, Biden sticks his oar in, Serica does well from gas prices, Russia considers banning crypto while Turkey embraces it and both Facebook and Twitter embrace NFTs. In CONSUMER/RETAIL NEWS, UK consumers lose confidence, pubs…

Thursday 20/01/22

In MACRO & CRYPTO NEWS, Boris Johnson survives another day, businesses like his lifting of restrictions, the tourism industry industry wants more, UK inflation hits a near-30 year high and the FCA continues its crypto-crackdown. In TECH NEWS, Sony craters…