Watson's Daily

Thursday 03/12/20

In CORONATRENDS NEWS, vaccinations kick off and UPS puts limits on big retailers. In M&A NEWS, the fight for G4S continues and Countrywide rejects a bid. In RETAIL/HIGH STREET NEWS, Tesco hands back the handouts, Bonmarché goes into administration again…

Wednesday 02/12/20

In TECH NEWS, Salesforce buys Slack, Google/Facebook/Amazon change ad spending and Zoom's ongoing battle with Teams. In RETAIL/HIGH-STREET NEWS, we look at Debenhams failure, what's on the cards for Arcadia, Caffè Nero buying time and Sephora setting up at Kohl's.…

Tuesday 01/12/20

In MARKETS, CURRENCY & OIL NEWS, the FTSE has a record November, Bitcoin reaches new heights and Exxon cuts spending. In CONSUMER & RETAIL NEWS, the stamp duty frenzy continues and Arcadia goes into administration. In M&A NEWS, S&P Global…

Monday 30/11/20

In MACROECONOMIC & MARKETS NEWS, the EU tries to pitch to the US, China motors on, investors pile in and Tesla's inclusion causes much head-scratching. In M&A AND IPO NEWS, UK M&A shoots up and S&P Global approaches IHS Markit…

Friday 27/11/20

In MACROECONOMIC & BITCOIN NEWS, Merkel suggests closing ski resorts, economic sentiment improves and Bitcoin suffers. In RETAIL/HIGH-STREET NEWS, hopes are high for Black Friday, Klarna benefits, Mulberry does better in Asia and UK pubs warn of more hurt. In…

Thursday 26/11/20

In TECH NEWS, France imposes the digital tax, Facebook makes an error, TikTok gets an extension, Salesforce eyes Slack and IBM announces job cuts. In M&A NEWS, Bertelsmann buys Simon & Schuster, Future buys GoCompare and AA agrees to takeover.…

Wednesday 25/11/20

In MARKETS, CRYPTO & VACCINE NEWS, US stocks rise, Bitcoin breaks $19k and Sputnik is looking good. In RETAIL NEWS, we look at the problems faced by global retailers as well as the fortunes of Best Buy, Debenhams, AO World…

Tuesday 24/11/20

In PHARMACEUTICAL NEWS, we take a closer look at the impact of AstraZeneca/Oxford University's vaccine, Merck buying OncoImmune and Amazon's recent foray into pharmacy. In RESCUE NEWS, Cineworld gets a lifeline, the AA gets a private equity offer and JD…

Monday 23/11/20

In CORONATRENDS NEWS, propane demand explodes in the US but in the UK, office projects stall, moves towards railway nationalisation continue, covid prompts reshoring, motor insurers await a nice bump, there's an elephant in the room regarding house prices and…

Friday 20/11/20

In CONSUMER/GOODS/RETAIL NEWS, UK consumer confidence weakens, the PS5 launch crashes sites, Frasers increases its stake in Mulberry, Peacocks and Jaeger go under and Naked Wines toasts more subscriptions. In CORONAVIRUS DRUG NEWS, the WHO dismisses Remdesivir but an arthritis…

Thursday 19/11/20

In CONSUMER/RETAIL-RELATED NEWS, Inflation rises, wages freeze, Halford peddles well and British Land offloads retail while in the US, Target hits the spot and TK Maxx's parent makes an online push. In ELECTRIC VEHICLE NEWS, Arrival aims for NY and…

Wednesday 18/11/20

In BITCOIN & FINANCIALS NEWS, Bitcoin reaches new highs, Santander buys Wirecard's European business and Co-Op Bank gets an approach. In CONSUMER/RETAIL NEWS, we look at US and UK sales trends and Walmart's slowing rise. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Amazon…

Tuesday 17/11/20

In VACCINE-RELATED NEWS, Moderna's news boosts markets. CORONATRENDS NEWS, Home Depot splashes out, the birth rate falls, Cinemark signs a historic deal and UK Lockdown 2.0 has less impact. In ELECTRIC VEHICLE-RELATED NEWS, Tesla is to join the S&P while…

Monday 16/11/20

In MACROECONOMIC NEWS, a historic Asian trade deal is signed, Japan's economy rebounds and BoJo self-isolates. In CORONATRENDS NEWS, Simon Property and Taubman agree on a lower price, the Supreme Court readies itself for an insurance battle and Johnson &…

Friday 13/11/20

In CORONATRENDS NEWS, WeWork burns even more cash, Emirates announces its first loss in over 30 years and Tui faces criticism. In RETAIL NEWS, WH Smith announces cuts and closures, Burberry wants tax-free to continue and B&M announces big profits.…

Thursday 12/11/20

In CONSUMER/RETAIL NEWS, we see rising household debts, a hot residential property market into the end of the year and worries about retailers coping. TECH NEWS, China tech suffers, Alibaba has a stellar Singles Day and TikTok tries another delay.…

Wednesday 11/11/20

In REGULATION NEWS, China draws up antitrust rules, the EU accuses Amazon and UK takeover rules tighten. VACCINE NEWS, we look at who's in the race as well as Pfizer and potential logistical challenges. In TECH NEWS, the sector gets…

Tuesday 10/11/20

In CORONAVIRUS NEWS, Pfizer's revelation sparks a rally, optimism is tinged with caution and Eli Lilly gets approval. MACRO & TREND NEWS, the EU starts to impose tariffs on the US and the Turkish lira jumps while. In M&A NEWS,…

Monday 09/11/20

In TRUMP/BIDEN NEWS, Trump kicks and screams his way out of the White House and we see what Biden has in store. In FINANCIAL NEWS, Buffett benefits, fund raising is about to increase, Scottish Widows gets a conscience and there's…

Friday 6/11/20

In MACROECONOMIC NEWS, uncertainty continues over the US election while Sunak and the Bank of England give support. FINANCIALS NEWS, Ant Group looks at a long delay, SocGen profits on trading and RSA announces a takeover bid. In CORONATRENDS NEWS,…

Thursday 05/11/20

In US ELECTION & MACRO NEWS, it's all looking a bit tricky in the US as the UK heads for a double-dip recession. In NEWS ABOUT THE UK HIGH STREET, shoppers make a last minute dash - but jobs are…

Wednesday 04/11/20

In CORONATRENDS NEWS, we see why Lockdown 2.0 may not be so bad and consider more winners and losers. In FIN/TECH NEWS, Ant Group's IPO gets a kick in the teeth and Nvidia/Arm is getting Chinese resistance. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY…

Tuesday 03/11/20

In CORONATRENDS NEWS, we take a look at what the forecasters are saying, long-term and short-term winners and losers and how coronavirus is changing behaviour. In RETAIL NEWS, Ocado lifts its forecasts while Alibaba makes a fashion investment. In INDIVIDUAL…

Monday 02/11/20

In MACRO & OIL NEWS, we look at the US election and beyond, downbeat Eurozone forecasts, UK lockdown implications and an agreement with TfL whilst oil prices fall. In RETAIL NEWS, footfall slides, toyshops close, Sainsbury's looks like getting a…

Friday 30/10/20

In MACROECONOMIC & OIL NEWS, the US economy bounces back, oil hits a low and Exxon makes deep cuts. FAANG NEWS, Facebook's revenues rise, Amazon aims to keep up with demand, Netflix ups its prices and Google's ad sales return.…

Thursday 29/10/20

In MACRO & MARKETS NEWS, India/China relations get testier, Germany and France impose new measures and markets wobble. CONSUMER/CONSUMER GOODS-RELATED NEWS, Visa and Mastercard point to a nervous US consumer (but US car sales are strengthening), UK estate agents push…

Wednesday 28/10/20

In M&A AND IPO NEWS, AMD buys Xilinx, LVMH and Tiffany renegotiate terms and Airbnb aims for a listing. TECH NEWS, Microsoft rides the cloud and TikTok turns to Shopify. In AUTOMOTIVE NEWS, Waymo does a deal with Daimler Trucks,…

Tuesday 27/10/20

In MARKETS & CORONAVIRUS TRENDS, US and European markets weaken and we see how Lockdown 2.0 could highlight different winners. In FINTECH & TECH NEWS, Ant Group aims to raise $34bn, Facebook moves into cloud-based gaming and SAP takes short…

Monday 26/10/20

In CORONATRENDS NEWS, private jets get popular, home workers seek refuge elsewhere, Lloyds tells staff to go home until spring and copper prices rise. In RETAIL NEWS, Debenhams' suitors face a deadline while Cath Kidston returns online. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY…

Friday 23/10/20

In CONSUMER NEWS, Sunak gets more generous, consumer confidence takes a dent and take a bit wealth hit. RETAIL/CONSUMER GOODS NEWS, Gap considers European closures, Hermès and Kering show a recovery in luxury, Barbie sales take off, Coca-Cola fizzes and…

Thursday 22/10/20

In FAANG NEWS, Facebook launches its dating site in the UK and we look at why Netflix ain't dead yet and what's going on with Google. ELECTRIC VEHICLE NEWS, Tesla's profits rises as it talks about mining and we see…

Wednesday 21/10/20

In TRANSPORT-RELATED NEWS, Cathay Pacific takes drastic action, airports lose £83m a week, the Trainline boss quits and TfL gets threatened by government. TECH-RELATED NEWS, Google gets sued by the Justice Department, Snapchat adds more users and Sweden is the…

Tuesday 20/10/20

In M&A AND IPO NEWS, Conoco Phillips buys Concho, Alibaba takes control of Sun Art, Intel sells NAND business to SK Hynix and Ant's $30bn gets the go-ahead. In CORONATRENDS NEWS, Landsec decides to sell a massive chunk of its…

Monday 19/10/20

In MACROECONOMIC NEWS, China GDP grows, Europe faces a double-dip and fund managers back Biden to win. TECH NEWS, it looks like Big Tech will suffer whoever wins the election and Facebook could get a big fine. In RETAIL NEWS,…

Friday 16/10/20

In CONSUMER/RETAIL-RELATED NEWS, credit card borrowing costs are expected to rise and we're spending money on Domino's and AO World but not at Boots. Marston's faces reality, the EG Group brothers face scrutiny and LVMH offers hope. FINANCIALS NEWS, Stripe…

Thursday 15/10/20

In BANKS NEWS, Goldman Sachs profits while falling interest rates take the shine off Bank of America and Wells Fargo. In PROPERTY NEWS, WeWork discounts rents, residential seems to be running out of steam but the top end is buzzing.…

Wednesday 14/10/20

In MACRO/TRADE-RELATED NEWS, China grows, EU/US Boeing/Airbus tensions rise and Boeing's orders hit a covid pocket. In CORONATRENDS NEWS, trials are halted for Lilly and J&J, UK unemployment rises and we spend on booze but not at cinemas. In INDIVIDUAL…

Tuesday 13/10/20

In MACROECONOMIC NEWS, India unveils a $10bn stimulus package and the Bank of England talks about negative interest rates. In TECH NEWS, digital tax reforms hit snags, Apple is about to unveil new phones and Samsung has BTS problems. In…

Monday 12/10/20

In TECH NEWS, EU targets Big Tech and Facebook puts out dodgy ads. In EMPLOYMENT NEWS, banks tell staff to come home and Silicon Valley companies look at pay cuts. In NEWS ON CONSUMER & CORONAVIRUS TRENDS, EV sales triple,…

Friday 09/10/20

In CORONATRENDS NEWS, Trump's re-election chances stumble, Madrid resists curbs, WarnerMedia cuts, UK rail traffic hit lows last seen in the mid-19th century and Ladbroke's owner raises profit forecasts. In FINANCIALS NEWS, Morgan Stanley buys Eaton Vance, Danske cuts jobs…

Thursday 08/10/20

In TECH NEWS, Arm/Nvidia faces close scrutiny in China, Samsung announces bright forecasts, there's a new turn in the TikTok saga and Codemasters shines. In PHARMACEUTICAL-RELATED NEWS, Trump announces a "cure", Lilly seeks emergency approval and it seems there are…

Wednesday 07/10/20

In TECH NEWS, the Big Tech report calls for action and Facebook defies Turkey. In CONSUMER/RETAIL/HIGH STREET NEWS, UK consumers stay upbeat but don't spend, Rolex's main UK dealer does a roaring trade, Wagamama benefits from the 'burbs, Ikea opens…

Tuesday 06/10/20

In MACROECONOMIC & OIL NEWS, Trump returns, Spain looks precarious, Indonesia announced reform and Exxon Mobil cuts jobs. In CONSUMER/HIGH STREET NEWS, car sales fall to new lows, the 10pm curfew hits footfall and Chanel buys into Bond Street. In…

Monday 05/10/20

In NEWS ON CORONATRENDS, China rolls out a vaccine, WFH looks set to become the norm, DPD boosts jobs, Cineworld closes cinemas and law firms face an increase in PI insurance. In 5G NEWS, Samsung aims to profit from Huawei's…

Friday 02/10/20

In RETAIL & CONSUMER NEWS, Ocado faces a lawsuit, retailers expect a muted Hallowe'en, M&S freshens up a bit, H&M aims to cut stores, Halfords moves up a gear and the US consumer takes an income hit. In CAR NEWS,…

Thursday 01/10/20

In CONSUMER/HIGH ST/RETAIL NEWS, savings are rising, jobs are looking tenuous, pubs, bars and restaurants get hit by the curfew, high street rents are down, Boohoo benefits despite scandal and Morrisons aims to add 1,000. In TRANSPORT-RELATED NEWS, American Airlines…

Wednesday 30/09/20

In TECH NEWS, the Google/Fitbit deal nears approval, fashion tech helps shoppers, Amazon tests a palm reader and Pinterest expands in online retail. In RETAIL/HIGH STREET NEWS, Ocado is now bigger than Tesco, B&M gets new customers, Greggs axes staff,…

Tuesday 29/09/20

In RETAIL/RESTAURANT-RELATED NEWS, a PE firm closes in on Asda, Aldi creates more jobs, Côte is saved, Pizza Hut cuts jobs and Deliveroo aims to expand. In EV/TRANSPORT-RELATED NEWS, VW and its Chinese partners pour money into the EV market,…

Monday 28/09/20

In CORONATRENDS NEWS, Europeans return to the workplace, Russia prepares for more lockdowns, UK high streets fear a second wave and US grocers stockpile. In UK REAL ESTATE NEWS, the UK housing market looks vulnerable, first-time buyers are set to…

Friday 25/09/20

In MACROECONOMIC NEWS, Sunak announces new measures. In RETAIL NEWS, ByteDance seeks Chinese approval, developers get together to fight Apple, Amazon has a reveal event and ChargePoint aims to go public. In CONSUMER TRENDS & RETAIL NEWS, workers look outside…

Thursday 24/09/20

In CORONATRENDS NEWS, Sunak scraps the Budget, the City abandons a return to the office, Upper Crust suffers, Ryanair expects a decimated ski season, Asda takes precautionary measures and we look at where we are on coronavirus vaccines. In TECH…

Wednesday 23/09/20

In LEISURE/TRAVEL NEWS, Airbus and Tui announce more job cuts as the whole industry suffers. In FINANCIALS NEWS, Deutsche Bank decides to axe 20% of its branches and the FCA's review on insurers reaches a verdict. In CONSUMER GOODS/RETAIL NEWS,…

Tuesday 22/09/20

In MARKETS NEWS, we see that global stocks fell on second wave fears. In PLANES, TRAINS & AUTOMOBILES NEWS, Airbus promises zero emission aircraft, UK railways get a massive shake-up and VW is in talks to sell Bugatti. In TECH…

Monday 21/09/20

In MACROECONOMIC NEWS, China exports power up while Rishi Sunak aims to extend business support loans. In TECH NEWS, the WeChat ban hits California-shaped buffers but TikTok moves forward. In CORONATRENDS, US meat is plentiful, family homes prices in the…