Watson's Daily

Tuesday 10/09/24

In BUSINESS, INVESTMENT & EMPLOYMENT TRENDS, PwC addresses its China business, Northvolt takes drastic action, hedge funds suffer outflows, gold keeps going up, Big Four accountants crack down on staff and UK wage growth loses momentum. In TECH & MEDIA…

Monday 09/09/24

In RETAIL, CONSUMER & LEISURE NEWS, American dollar stores suffer, Aldi posts record sales growth, we look at the prospects for the golden quarter and Greece's excessive tourism. In EMPLOYMENT NEWS, Deloitte brings back face-to-face interviewing, HSBC announces a hiring…

Thursday 05/09/24

*** THERE WILL BE NO WATSON'S DAILY PUBLISHED TOMORROW (FRIDAY 6TH) AS I WILL BE AWAY. I SHALL RETURN ON MONDAY 9TH) *** In MACRO NEWS, Biden sticks the boot in, global stocks slide, US job openings drop, the BCC…

Wednesday 04/09/24

In BIG PICTURE NEWS, Reeves is to lay out a "tax road map", coal-fired power is set to end, nine new offshore windfarms are secured, North Sea oil and gas producers aren't bluffing and Goldman cuts its copper forecasts. In…

Tuesday 03/09/24

In MACRO & OIL NEWS,Kamala Harris says no to Nippon Steel, Scholz reacts to the AfD victory and oil company taxes hit the North Sea. In AUTOMOTIVE NEWS, China EV sales rise, VW considers German plant closures and petrol cars…

Monday 02/09/24

In MACRO NEWS, we see that the far-right wins in Germany and that the UK services sector gathers momentum. In MEDIA & TECH NEWS, Brazil's ban on X and the Telegram CEO arrest cause a stir, AI get hit by…

Friday 30/08/24

In MACRO & OIL NEWS, the US economy had a good Q2, Starmer gets a warning, the UK government steps aside and Shell cuts oil jobs. In BUSINESS & INVESTMENT TRENDS, UK business confidence holds steady, Chinese offices look empty…

Thursday 29/08/24

In MACRO & MARKETS NEWS, Joe Biden and Xi Jinping set up a phone call, Starmer attempts to reset Europe relations and fears of rising taxes have repercussions while investors pull out of India. In TECH & MEDIA NEWS, PNvidia…

Wednesday 28/08/24

In BIG PICTURE NEWS, sterling hits a new high and we look at how supply chains have evolved, how GM is delaying its Indiana battery factory, why Saudi Arabia is pressuring City law firms to hire more locals and why…

Tuesday 27/08/24

In MACRO & COMMODITY NEWS, China weighs up the US presidential prospects, immigration tops the agenda in Germany, Macron resists having a left wing government and BHP highlights an "uneven recovery" in China. In BUSINESS & CONSUMER TRENDS, Unilever's rethink…

Friday 23/08/24

In MACRO NEWS, we see that the Paris Olympics had a positive impact, Germany's in strife and the UK isn't. In BUSINESS, CONSUMER & EMPLOYMENT TRENDS, AI-powered coding pulls in the investment, Gatwick numbers rise, Hays's nightmare continues and junior…

Thursday 22/08/24

In BIG PICTURE NEWS, the Fed looks increasingly likely to cut interest rates, France announces a spending freeze, UK borrowing and income tax receipts boom while Reeves is under pressure and gold storms ahead. In BUSINESS & INVESTMENT TRENDS, PwC…

Wednesday 21/08/24

In BIG PICTURE NEWS, we look at Reeves's plans, the prospects for copper , Vietnam's push for tech and UK insolvencies. In RETAIL & LEISURE NEWS, we see why Walmart is different and how McDonald's aims to expand in the…

Tuesday 20/08/24

In BIG PICTURE NEWS, we look at Kamala Harris's economic plans, the Fed looks ready to start cutting rates, markets make a full recovery, investment in North Sea oil falters and there's consolidation in crypto. In BUSINESS AND CONSUMER TRENDS,…

Monday 19/08/24

In MACRO & COMMODITY NEWS, Kamala Harris's economic policy plans get a lukewarm reception, Singapore embodies regional difficulties in walking the US-China tightrope and collapsing iron ore prices hit mining companies hard. In BUSINESS, EMPLOYMENT & CONSUMER TRENDS, China is…

Friday 16/08/24

In MACRO, MARKETS & RENEWABLES NEWS, the UK economy continues to recover from recession (but Reeves warns of tax rises anyway), global markets relax, the government tries to get Revolut to list in London and Ørsted has more problems. In…

Thursday 15/08/24

In MACRO NEWS, US inflation drops, Trump promises an economic boom, China's industrial production weakens and we look at what's next for UK interest rates. In TECH NEWS, the US considers a break-up of Google, Apple opens up tap-to-pay tech…

Wednesday 14/08/24

In MACRO NEWS, we hear that Japan's PM has stepped down and that New Zealand cut interest rates. In CONSUMER, RETAIL & LEISURE NEWS, we look at the latest in wages, food price inflation, holiday insurance and then deals for…

Tuesday 13/08/24

In MACRO NEWS, investors pull $15bn from China and the Rouble takes a hit after Ukraine attacks Russia. In INFRASTRUCTURE & REAL ESTATE NEWS, Reeves looks at a PFI style deal, English councils are going to find it easier to…

Monday 12/08/24

In MARKETS, MACRO & BUSINESSS TRENDS NEWS, markets go back to where they started, Kamala Harris overtakes Trump on the economy, UK inflation looks likely to rise again and companies get nervous about China. In TECH NEWS, the UK considers…

Friday 09/08/24

In MACRO & MARKETS NEWS, Chinese inflation rises faster than expected, Wall Street rebounds and takes Japan with it and we look at what's behind the riots. In MEDIA NEWS, cable valuations slide, Paramount is to cut 15% of its…

Thursday 08/08/24

In MACRO & COMMODITIES NEWS, UK post-pandemic growth turns out to have been higher than expected, wage growth slows down, ESG ratings agencies are going to get regulated and investors want Glencore to stay dirty. In TECH NEWS, we look…

Wednesday 07/08/24

In MACRO & OIL NEWS, Harris announces her running mate, China's export growth slows and we look at how the UK's recovery might keep interest rates higher for longer while Rachel Reeves suggests Canada-style pension funds, the government looks to…

Tuesday 06/08/24

In MARKETS & MACRO NEWS, we look at the global market sell-off, US wobbles, an EU trade deal with South America and drama in Bangladesh. In CONSUMER & BUSINESS TRENDS, we look at pub trends and how over 30 Chinese…

Monday 05/08/24

In MACRO & COMMODITIES NEWS, we look at the latest in the US presidential race, Reeves' visit to the US and the latest in lithium goings-on. In TECH NEWS, Google hires founders of Character.AI, utility stocks get an AI boost,…

Friday 02/08/24

In MACRO & OIL NEWS, the Bank of England cuts interest rates, the UK property market remains buoyant, the EU issues the UK with demands, the Venezuelan election result is called into question and Shell beat profit forecasts. In TECH…

Thursday 01/08/24

In MACRO NEWS, the Fed suggests a September rate cut, the EU and US try to ease Middle East tensions and Britain's reliance on foreign energy sources hits a new high. In TECH NEWS, China wants more control over internet…

Wednesday 31/07/24

In MACRO & MARKETS NEWS, we look at the latest in Harris/Trump, Maduro gets feisty, the BoJ raises interest rates again, Iran vows revenge, Eurozone inflation rises, investors signal an early cut from the BoE and Labour gives and takes…

THE SUMMER UPDATE EDITION

In CURRENT NEWS, I let you know that I'm "on a break" until Wednesday 31st July (CrowdStrike impact permitting!). In BEHIND THE SCENES, I give you an insight into what's been going on since the burglary. In NEW WATSON'S DAILY…

Friday 19/07/24

In MACRO & COMMODITY NEWS, the pressure continues to pile on Biden, Ursula gets a second go, the ECB keeps rates unchanged, Labour is to nationalise the railways within months, Ramaphosa promises construction, Serbia promises lithium to Europe and Anglo…

Thursday 18/07/24

In MACRO NEWS, we see what Trump-Vance could look like, Trump's calls for Taiwan to pay, what was and wasn't said in the King's speech, the effect of imminent rate cut hopes receding and the reality of clean energy. In…

Wednesday 17/07/24

In MACRO & COMMODITY NEWS, the EU and UK look to improve relationships, the IMF upgrades growth forecasts for the UK, the UK won't impose Chinese EV import tariffs, Trump donations surge as the world reacts to a potential Trump…

Tuesday 16/07/24

In MACRO NEWS, the Fed hints at an interest rate cut, Trump picks his running mate while we see further effects of the assassination attempt and German output takes a pasting. In CAR NEWS, energy suppliers want green tax changes,…

Monday 15/07/24

In MACRO, MARKETS & ENERGY NEWS, we look at the repercussions of the Trump assassination attempt, China's growth slows down, UK growth forecasts get a boost, European IPO market activity increases and Meloni wants nuclear power in Italy. In TECH…

Friday 12/07/24

In MACRO & COMMODITIES NEWS, the Biden saga continues, the UK sees surprise GDP growth, Labour faces a North Sea dilemma and BHP suspends nickel mining operations. In RETAIL & CONSUMER GOODS NEWS, Amazon faces a potential investigation in the…

Thursday 11/07/24

In MACRO & OIL NEWS, the US presidential drama rumbles on, China plays down hopes of drastic measures, Macron calls for consensus, UK interest rate cuts are mooted and OPEC bets on steady oil demand while BP predicts peak oil…

Wednesday 10/07/24

In MACRO, ENERGY & COMMODITIES NEWS, the US makes progress, efforts to oust Biden lose momentum (although Europeans are hedging their bets), renewables firms plan new onshore windfarms, BP warns of lower profits and it's not looking good for coffee…

Tuesday 08/07/24

In MACRO NEWS, Biden fights back, France tries to sort itself out and Reeves manages expectations ahead of an overhaul. In AUTOMOTIVE NEWS, Europe's battery industry is hit by EV slowdown, foreign carmakers lose ground in China, BYD builds in…

Monday 08/07/24

In MACRO NEWS, we look at what Labour is facing, how the pressure continues to mount on Biden and how the Right didn't get what they wanted in the French elections. In INDUSTRY TRENDS NEWS,dealmaking looks set to boost banks,…

Friday 05/07/24

In MACRO NEWS, we look at the impact of Labour's win, Biden continues to cling on and we consider the consequences of France's election. In CAR NEWS, Tesla gets a China boost, the EU continues with EV tariffs and new…

Thursday 04/07/24

In MACRO NEWS, European central bankers get nervous, the UK's services sector "seizes up" and City analysts reckon that a Labour landslide will increase investment and confidence. In RETAIL NEWS, Jeff Bezos offloads more Amazon shares, Amazon announces that it…

Wednesday 03/07/24

In MACRO & ENERGY NEWS, pressure mounts on Biden, EU inflation falls and Shell halts construction of a biofuel factory. In AUTOMOTIVE NEWS, Hyundai and LG Energy open a battery cell factory, Tesla deliveries fall, China EV sales rise and…

Tuesday 02/07/24

In MACRO NEWS,both US presidential candidates have problems, we look at the impact of the French election result and how the next UK government is going to benefit from a fall in inflation and fuel prices. In MANUFACTURING & LOGISITICS…

Monday 01/07/24

In MACRO NEWS, Biden causes concern, Le Pen wins the first round and South Africa gets a new cabinet. In PROFESSIONAL SERVICES NEWS, Bain pulls back in China, financial services don't embrace AI fully and Hogan Lovells launches a "microaggressions"…

Friday 28/06/24

In MACRO NEWS, the IMF warns the US about its debt, von der Leyen closes in on another term, central bankers remain nervous, BP makes cut backs and cocoa prices drop. In RETAIL NEWS, Amazon takes on Temu and Shein…

Thursday 27/06/24

In MACRO & CURRENCY NEWS, we look at the economic consequences of Trump and the Yen falls to new lows. In M&A AND IPO NEWS, we look at the motivations behind VW/Rivian, the prospects for consolidation in food delivery, how…

Wednesday 26/06/24

In MACRO NEWS, the Philippines warns over the South China Sea, Milei pushes Argentina into recession and combined support for the Conservatives and Labour hits a new low. In CAR NEWS, Tesla recalls Cybertrucks again, Rivian booms on VW's investment,…

Tuesday 25/06/24

In RETAIL & CONSUMER NEWS, Shein submits the paperwork, THG and Frasers team up, Barclays cuts mortgage rates and UK wage rises have proved to be pretty sluggish over time. In TECH NEWS, Nvidia's share price slides and Brussels accuses…

Monday 24/06/24

In MACRO & ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS, the French trust Le Pen more than Macron on the economy, the UK could use Macron's predicament to strengthen its cause, NHS promises look largely meaningless, French instability pushes the pound up and there's a…

Friday 21/06/24

In MACRO & OIL NEWS,the Bank of England leaves rates unchanged and BP does a biofuels deal. In FINANCIALS/SERVICES NEWS, NatWest takes on most of Sainsbury's banking business, Revolut seeks a punchy valuation, KPMG is to cut more jobs and…

Thursday 20/06/24

In MACRO NEWS, we take a look at French repercussions and how Britain could turn out to be an "island of stability". In CONSUMER & EMPLOYMENT TRENDS NEWS, we look at inflation in the everyday, Amazon faces a union vote…

Wednesday 19/06/24

In MACRO, COMMODITIES & ENERGY NEWS, one top Fed official signals higher chances of a rate cut, UK inflation hits its 2% target, China's surplus of copper implies a sluggish economy and warehouses consider solar panels on their rooftops. In…

Tuesday 18/06/24

In BIG PICTURE NEWS, Chinese house prices continue to weaken and its industrial output looks shaky, London overtakes Paris as investors take fright and businesses try to keep their options open, investment in the UK lags other G7 members and…

Monday 17/06/24

In MACRO, OIL & ENERGY NEWS, Labour pushes forth, the oil industry warns against the North Sea tax, Russia continues to supply Europe with gas and Rolls-Royce puts the pressure on for SMRs. In BUSINESS & EMPLOYMENT TRENDS NEWS, Australia's…