Watson's Daily

Thursday 11/06/20

In MACRO AND M&A NEWS, the Fed says interest rates will be unchanged until 2022, Just Eat Takeaway combines with Grubhub, the PSA/Fiat merger faces close scrutiny and Simon Property tries to back out of the Taubman deal. In RETAIL-RELATED…

Wednesday 10/06/20

In RETAIL & CONSUMER NEWS, Sharma outlines plans for UK retail openings and although shoppers are anxious, property sales shoot up and employers try to ease fears. In INDUSTRY-BY-INDUSTRY NEWS, we see that US airlines face record losses, Cathay Pacific's…

Tuesday 09/06/20

In MARKETS & OIL NEWS, markets power up, Saudi Aramco puts up its prices and BP slashes jobs. In CONSUMER NEWS, we look at US and UK spending habits and the jobs slowdown. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Mulberry cuts jobs,…

Monday 08/06/20

In MACRO & OIL NEWS, Europe debates the recovery plan, Brazil faces tough times, UK pubs and restaurants are to open and US shalers start turning the taps on. In NEWS ON "WINNERS" AND LOSERS, local shops, mattress companies, Airbnb…

Friday 05/06/20

In MACRO NEWS, the ECB increases its bond-buying and we look at reactions to Germany's stimulus package. In NEWS ON WINNERS & LOSERS, winners include US airlines and Fever-Tree while losers include Aston Martin, Odeon and ASK/Zizzi. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY…

Thursday 04/06/20

In MACRO NEWS, Trump divides on troops, Germany unveils a stimulus, Australia flirts with recession and British banks back China's security law. In NEWS ON PLANES AND CARS, the US threatens a ban on Chinese airlines, Lufthansa takes the bailout,…

Wednesday 03/06/20

In MACRO, MARKETS & CONSUMER NEWS, Trump talks tough, the EU races to protect, markets rise on optimism and consumers pay back debt. In TRANSPORT-RELATED NEWS, Airlines chart a return, P&O says no cruises until October, Lyft sees an uplift…

Tuesday 02/06/20

In RETAIL NEWS, we look at the current challenges facing US retailing while in the UK Primark opens, Ted Baker has a shake-up, Monsoon gives an ultimatum and car dealers face the future. In NEWS ON "WINNERS" AND LOSERS, we…

Monday 01/06/20

In MACRO, MARKETS & CONSUMER NEWS, Sunak talks about another stimulus package, Chinese companies may leave US markets for London and we look at the state of mind of consumers. In RETAIL/HIGH STREET/MAIN STREET NEWS, Pret wants lower rents, restaurants…

Friday 29/05/20

In MACRO NEWS, we look at the latest reactions to the China/HK thing, hurdles to the EU bailout package and the coronavirus latest in France, Spain and the UK. In TECH NEWS, Big Tech gets bigger but Trump is about…

Thursday 28/05/20

In MACRO NEWS, the EU puts forward a coronavirus response package and things get more tense in/for Hong Kong. In CORONAVIRUS "WINNERS" AND LOSERS, we take a look at how airlines, retail-related companies and other industries are coping. In INDIVIDUAL…

Wednesday 27/05/20

In RETAIL NEWS, Amazon is in talks to buy Zoox, Macy's puts up properties for collateral, Boohoo gets a thorn in its side and we see mixed views on what'll happen once UK shops reopen. In CAR NEWS, President Macron…

Tuesday 26/05/20

In MACRO NEWS, Beijing gets serious with Hong Kong, German confidence improves and Sunak talks "last resort" bailout plans. In CAR-RELATED NEWS, Europe puts big money into EVs, VW loses in court, Nissan mulls more cuts, Hertz goes under and…

Friday 22/05/20

In MACRO NEWS, China scraps its GDP target, China moves to impose new security law on Hong Kong and the UK's economic downturn shows signs of relenting. In TECH NEWS, Big Tech gets more powerful, Zuckerberg points to a WFH…

Thursday 21/05/20

In MACRO NEWS, the Bank of England moots negative interest rates, Sunak looks to extend the mortgage holiday and economic indicators show some positives. In CONSUMER AND RETAIL NEWS, gamblers turn to stock markets, Americans buy TVs and bikes with…

Wednesday 20/05/20

In RETAIL NEWS, Walmart and Home Depot are on a run, US retailers phase out hazard pay and French Connection is in trouble. In SOCIAL MEDIA NEWS, Facebook takes on Amazon in online shopping, TikTok gets a Disney chief and…

Tuesday 19/05/20

In MARKETS & MACRO NEWS, markets rise on vaccine hopes, Germany and France propose a €500m rescue fund and the Bundesbank sees signs of recovery in Germany. In RETAIL/HIGH STREET NEWS, JC Penney announces store closures, Apple opens some of…

Monday 18/05/20

In MACRO NEWS, Jay Powell warns of a slow recovery, Japan's economy falls into recession and the Saudi sovereign wealth fund has a shopping spree. In SECTOR-BY-SECTOR NEWS, carmakers call for subsidies, travel opens up but the prospects are dim…

Friday 15/05/20

In NEWS ON WINNERS, Nissan Sunderland gets a lift, Norwegian Zoom rival goes moonbound on flotation, e-scooters come into their own, a covid-test supplier predicts ongoing sales and Apple buys into VR. In AIRLINES NEWS, a number of US airlines…

Thursday 14/05/20

In MACRO NEWS, THAT German judge digs his heels in. In SECTOR-BY-SECTOR NEWS, we take a look at the latest developments in banking, shipping, UK real estate, retail and meat/less. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, VW shuts down production again, Tui…

Wednesday 13/05/20

In MARKETS, MACRO & OIL NEWS, Asian markets weaken again, PM Modi unveils a stimulus package for India, Sunak extends furlough and Saudi Aramco suffers. In CONSUMER & RETAIL NEWS, UK consumer spending takes a hit, Landsec makes a painful…

Tuesday 12/05/20

In MARKETS, MACRO & OIL NEWS, Asia markets wobble, Russia has leadership issues, German employers slash jobs and cheap oil has consequences. In CONSUMER & SPENDING NEWS, Americans face challenges, UK household spending is actually worse than originally thought and…

Monday 11/05/20

In MARKETS & MACRO NEWS, financial markets get a bit excited, Eastern Europe sees an opportunity with the German ruling and Johnson outlines a slight easing of lockdown. In CARS 'N PLANES NEWS, car rental companies' nightmares continue, pickup sales…

Friday 08/05/20

In MARKETS & MACRO NEWS, the NASDAQ makes up all its coronavirus losses, China exports pick up, Lagarde bats away the German problem, Denmark and Norway talk lockdown lifting and the Bank of England predicts a baaaaad recession. In RETAIL…

Thursday 07/05/20

In MACRO NEWS, the US ratchets up the rhetoric with China, Brussels warns of the consequences of discord and UK business rates face a delay in their overhaul. In CORONAVIRUS "WINNERS" & LOSERS, we see "winners" in online shopping, news…

Wednesday 06/05/20

In MACRO & OIL NEWS, Germany stirs things up with the ECB, world inflation drops, accurate stats will be more difficult to come by and oil prices calm down. In CORONAVIRUS "WINNERS" & LOSERS, we look at online gainers and…

Tuesday 05/05/20

In MACRO NEWS, Trump brings up the China trade deal, Eurozone factory output slows right down while Europe and the UK wrestle with lockdown lifting. In AVIATION NEWS, there's bad news for GE and good news for Norwegian Air. In…

Monday 04/05/20

In POST-CORONAVIRUS NEWS, China picks up, fears of second-wave job losses persist and companies provide social distancing gadgetry. In AIRLINE-RELATED NEWS, Buffett sells out of airlines, Rolls-Royce suffers from lack of air time and leasing companies brace for turbulence. In…

Friday 01/05/20

In MACRO, MARKETS & OIL NEWS, demand for Chinese goods falls, the Eurozone heads for recession, markets falter and Shell cuts its dividend. In TECH NEWS, Apple gains, Twitter suffers and Zoom makes another gaffe. In RETAIL NEWS, Macy's reopens,…

Thursday 30/04/20

In MACRO, MARKETS & REOPENING NEWS, we see US and China difficulties, French and German protectionism, market hope and varying degrees of bids to reopen. In PHARMACEUTICALS-RELATED NEWS, Gilead is on the up again, GSK highlights delays and AstraZeneca is…

Wednesday 29/04/20

In LOCKDOWN & OIL NEWS, Putin extends, Trump forces meat processors to stay open and BP has a 'mare. In BANKS NEWS, it's a mixed bag for UBS, HSBC and Santander. In RETAIL NEWS, M&S is "never the same again"…

Tuesday 28/04/20

In MACRO & OIL NEWS, Sunak promises more money and oil price prospects look poor. In INDUSTRIES IN CRISIS NEWS, anything to do with planes looks pretty bad and meat processing nightmares aren't good for pigs. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS,…

Monday 27/04/20

In CORONAVIRUS & OIL NEWS, Europe eases lockdowns and the US considers it while weak oil price fallout continues. In RETAIL NEWS, John Lewis faces tough times and retail faces new rules. In NEWS ON "WINNERS", Qatar scopes for bargains…

Friday 24/04/20

In MACRO & LOCKDOWN NEWS, the French ban state aid for some, Merkel cautions on lockdown relaxation while carmakers and builders plan a return. In RETAIL/CONSUMER NEWS, Amazon stiffs its own sellers, shopping habits change and the US is facing…

Thursday 23/04/20

In COMMODITIES, CORONAVIRUS & MACRO NEWS, Trump gets involved in oil, Cornwall finds high-grade copper, we look at anti-coronavirus efforts in parts of the US, South Korea and France and UK inflation falls to 1.5%. In M&A NEWS, Facebook invests…

Wednesday 22/04/20

In OIL NEWS, we look at the slump, rising tanker rates, Trump's lifeline and why petrol prices at the garage ain't going down!. In CONSUMER & RETAIL NEWS, China gives out vouchers to encourage spending, universal basic income pops up…

Tuesday 21/04/20

In OIL & MACRO NEWS, the US oil price hits historic lows and we see who is lifting the lockdowns. In MANUFACTURING NEWS, Russia's heavy industry, Europe's car industry and US food production hit hurdles. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Alibaba…

Monday 20/04/20

In CORONAVIRUS DEVELOPMENTS, China and Singapore get second outbreaks. In NEWS ON IMMINENT PROBLEMS, British household finances will be dented but high-end retailers hope their clientele will go on a spending spree, imports are about to hit ports and lawsuits…

Friday 17/04/20

In MARKETS & MACRO NEWS, markets rise on Gilead's news and we look at macro developments in the US, Asia and Europe. In "WINNERS" & STRUGGLERS NEWS, Verizon buys BlueJeans, Chinese splurge on release, Netflix and warehousing wins while investors…

Thursday 16/04/20

In MACRO & OIL NEWS, the EU clamps down on bonus and dividend payouts while oil demand continues to be weak. In SECTOR-BY-SECTOR NEWS, US banks make big loan loss provisions, US airlines now have the finance but no passengers,…

Wednesday 15/04/20

In MACRO & COMMODITIES NEWS, the IMF tells us what we already know, talks abound over an exit strategy, South Africa cuts interest rates to record lows, Sunak looks at more measures and we look at what's going on in…

Tuesday 14/04/20

In MACRO, MARKETS & OIL NEWS, the Eurozone bailout has Italian wobbles, Brexit talks are set to resume, Goldman gets positive and the oil production cut underwhelms while Trump talks things up. In INDUSTRY TRENDS, China's venture capitalists go shopping…

Thursday 09/04/20

In MACRO, MARKETS & COMMODITIES NEWS, EU talks fail as lockdowns relax, the UK regulator eases fundraising rules, Wall Street analysts warn against over-exuberance and uranium prices go nuclear. In CORONVIRUS "WINNERS" & LOSERS, Disney+ racks up the subscribers, esports…

Wednesday 08/04/20

In MARKETS, MACRO & OIL NEWS, share prices rise again, Wuhan's lockdown eases and Exxon cuts capex. In CORONAVIRUS "WINNERS" & LOSERS NEWS, we take a look at small businesses repurposing but Samsung and Lufthansa suffer. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS,…

Tuesday 07/04/20

In MARKETS, OIL & CORONAVIRUS GEAR NEWS, markets rally but oil talks are delayed, UK testing hits a setback and the US orders 3M masks. In TRANSPORT & LEISURE RELATED NEWS, EasyJet faces potential insolvency, Carnival gets a big Saudi…

Monday 06/04/20

In MACRO & OIL NEWS, Europe moves to ease lockdown, BoJo goes to hospital, various industries appeal for financial help and I give you an update on the oil drama. In RETAIL/HIGH STREET NEWS, famous names fall, fashion retailers experience…

Friday 03/04/20

In MACRO & OIL NEWS, the US has disastrous jobless figures, UK borrowers offer payment relief, Turkey faces more lockdown pressure and oil rises on deal hopes. In CORONAVIRUS "WINNERS" & LOSER NEWS, Chinese apps profit, gaming surges and Amazon…

Thursday 02/04/20

In MARKETS & OIL NEWS, share prices fall on Trump's warning, BP cuts capex and shale group Whiting goes under while oil tankers benefit. In TOBACCO NEWS, BAT claims progress on a vaccine while the FTC sues Altria over its…

Wednesday 01/04/20

In MACRO & MARKETS NEWS, China shows signs of life, five countries look vulnerable and markets tank over the quarter. In FINANCIALS & FINANCE NEWS, the ECB presses banks on cutting bonuses, insurers close loopholes, Grant Thornton gives its employees…

Tuesday 31/03/20

In CORONAVIRUS FIGHTBACK NEWS, global pharma companies vow to work together, US firms win approval for rapid tests, J&J moves to human vaccine trials, British engineers get together to produce ventilators and the UK works on contact tracing. In RETAIL/HIGH…

Monday 30/03/20

In MACRO NEWS, the US extends social distancing, China's masks get rejected, Venezuela faces catastrophe and South Africa employs extreme measures. In CORONAVIRUS "WINNERS" AND LOSERS, we see who is doing well and which companies and industries are vulnerable. In…

Friday 27/03/20

In MACRO & PROPERTY NEWS, US job losses shoot up (as do the number of coronavirus cases), Russia raids deposits, Japan gets the fear, Rishi unveils a package for the self-employed and the UK housing market grinds to a halt.…

Thursday 26/03/20

In MACRO & OIL NEWS, Trump, Vlad, BoJo and Rishi react while shale producers take a beating and oil (possibly) heads for $10 a barrel. In RETAILER & HIGH STREET NEWS, Target sees higher sales, UK supermarkets are still overwhelmed,…

Wednesday 25/03/20

In MARKETS, MACRO & CORONOVIRUS MEASURES NEWS, markets rise and we look at the latest responses from China, Trump, Putin and Sunak. In GROCERY-RELATED NEWS, food service companies are roped in, better weather helps UK farmers, grocers continue to hire…