Watson's Daily

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…

Friday 14/06/24

In MACRO, MARKETS & OIL NEWS, we look at the ructions in French politics, problems in Germany, the latest dramas in UK politics, the uptick in market sentiment, oil price predictions and Aramco's big LNG deal. In AUTOMOTIVE NEWS, Chinese…

Thursday 13/06/24

In MACRO & OIL NEWS, the Fed manages interest rate expectations, US inflation falls, the UK's GDP flatlines and the IEA warns of a major excess of oil. In CAR NEWS, the EU decides to impose a big tax on…

Wednesday 12/06/24

In MACRO & ENERGY NEWS,the US is to deepen Russia sanctions, Sunak pledges tax cuts, wages growth hits prospects for a rate cut and a massive battery storage facility is announced in the UK. In TECH NEWS, Apple overtakes Nvidia…

Tuesday 11/06/24

In MACRO NEWS, we look at the repercussions of Macron's election decision and how Meloni is now key as well as the latest developments in the race to number 10. In BUSINESS & EMPLOYMENT TRENDS NEWS, the prospects look good…

Monday 10/06/24

In MACRO & ENERGY NEWS, the far-right makes big gains in Europe - prompting a snap French election - while central bankers ponder interest rate cuts, Meloni slows Italy's solar rollout and Nucleo plan a fleet of 20 mini-nukes for…

Friday 07/06/24

In MACRO, MARKETS & CRYPTO NEWS, the ECB cuts rates, South Africa turmoil continues, UK growth forecasts are upgraded but issues persist, the LSE wants a screen, Shein's IPO faces scepticism (as does the Texas stock exchange) and Robinhood buys…

Thursday 06/06/24

In MACRO, MARKETS & COMMODITIES, China's economy gets a boost, Modi gets backing for a new government, Canada cuts interest rates, the ECB is expected to cut interest rates, private sector growth powers UK performance, Texas launches a new stock…

Wednesday 05/06/24

In MACRO, COMMODITIES & MARKETS NEWS, we look at a shock in India, Germany's unexpected rise in unemployment, ructions in Turkey, political debate in the UK, challenges facing Mexico's new president, the latest on oil and short sellers getting burned.…

Tuesday 04/06/24

In BIG PICTURE NEWS, the US and UK set out immigration policies, Russia's nuke threat diminishes, Sheinbaum wins the Mexico election, the NYSE cancels trades, Indian markets hit record highs, GameStop booms, Ackman sells a chunk of Pershing Square, La…

Monday 03/06/24

In MACRO & OIL NEWS, Biden tries to make the most of Trump's conviction, Beijing turns the screws on Gazprom, the ANC gets a pasting and we look at US shale consolidation and the extension of production cuts by OPEC+.…

Friday 31/05/24

In MACRO & OIL NEWS, Donny T gets in big doo-doo, Chinese factory activity falls, business confidence hits a new high, Saudi Arabia announces the sale of more Aramco shares and we look at why the European oil majors aren't…

Thursday 30/05/24

In BIG PICTURE NEWS, NATO finds air weaknesses, attitudes towards defence change, sterling hits a new high, Labour is pushed to clarify, ConocoPhiliips buys Marathon Oil, Shell and Exxon sell out of the North Sea, BHP abandons its Anglo bid…

Wednesday 29/05/24

In MACRO & MARKETS NEWS, we look at Xi's call on behalf of China's youth, democracy at work in Mexico, more UK promises and the runners and riders in the FTSE100 reshuffle. In CAR NEWS, we look at rising EV…

Tuesday 28/05/24

In MACRO NEWS, the AfD hits a bump, Sunak's campaign courts controversy and Labour gets Big Business endorsement. In RETAIL & CONSUMER GOODS NEWS,shop price inflation falls, online shopping sees a concerning trend forming, senior politicians urge more scrutiny of…

Friday 24/05/24

In MARKETS, MACRO & CURRENCY NEWS,US stocks weaken, markets take in Sunak's election announcement, Sunak suffers more blows, Argentina's peso plunges and ethereum gets the nod. In BUSINESS TRENDS NEWS, we see the ending of US "revenge" travel, Western countries…

Thursday 23/05/24

In MACRO & COMMODITIES NEWS, Sunak calls an election, inflation doesn't behave, the US gets pernickety and BHP's final offer looks insufficient. In TECH NEWS, Nvidia's revenues climb, China has hopes for "Chat Xi PT" and OpenAI signs a deal…

Wednesday 22/05/24

In BIG PICTURE NEWS, the EU trading deficit with China shrinks, the UK tries to mend fences with the UAE, the IMF gets bullish about UK interest rate cuts, the Bank of England signals a cut will be next, the…

Friday 17/05/24

In MACRO, MARKETS, COMMODITIES & CRYPTO NEWS, we look at the implications of the Putin/Xi meeting, Japan's GDP contracts faster than expected, Dutch government looks set to cause ructions with Brussels, Sunak hopes for a miracle, the Dow hits a…

Thursday 16/05/24

In MACRO & "GREEN" NEWS, Putin arrives in China, Argentina's inflation moderates, the UK's economy outpaces the Eurozone's, the Dutch far-right form a government, Labour lays out its stall, the Bank of England gets a poor report card, AI start-ups…

Wednesday 15/05/24

In BIG PICTURE NEWS, Putin visits China, Biden tries to outdo Trump, new US tariffs will hit clean tech, Pill sounds caution about UK rate cuts, Vietnam promises more energy, UK fusion gets shut out and Blackrock gets big in…

Tuesday 14/05/24

In MACRO & COMMODITIES NEWS, the City gets excited about the UK, BHP gets its latest offer rejected and we look at why everyone's getting so hung up on copper. In TECH NEWS,Microsoft is to face EU competition charges, Hunt…

Monday 13/05/24

In MACRO, OIL & BUSINESS TRENDS NEWS,China goes for growth, Spain gets a reprieve, US shale faces accusations, China and ESG ETF closures increase, China pushes Hainan, Miniso has big ambitions, Saudis get frustrated with management consultants, takeover interest in…

Friday 10/05/24

In MACRO & COMMODITIES NEWS, the UK exits recession, the Bank of England leaves interest rates unchanged, Sweden cuts them, Trump allegedly tries to do a deal with the oil industry, Calpers considers its vote in the Exxon saga, oil…

Thursday 09/05/24

In MACRO, MARKETS & CRYPTO NEWS, Sunak has one final job, the IPO pipeline is building up and FTX is ready to compensate. In TECH & MEDIA NEWS, Intel cuts its outlook, Arm underwhelms, Informa does a deal with Microsoft,…

Wednesday 08/05/24

In BIG PICTURE NEWS, global debt hits new highs, rampant Argentinian inflation necessitates 10,000 peso notes, Sweden is expected to cut rates and taxpayers are to fund HS2 in London after all. In CAR NEWS,Chinese dealerships ditch foreign brands, Musk…

Tuesday 07/05/24

In MACRO & CRYPTO NEWS, global trade is expected to grow sharply, the EU and France appeal to China, the Bank of England remains divided, a Labour government could be a boost, the SNP gets a new leader and Robinhood…

Friday 03/05/24

In MACRO, COMMODITIES & ENERGY NEWS, Turkey stops trade with Israel over Gaza, the OECD sticks the boot into the UK, Shell beats profit forecasts, Gazprom has its worst loss in decades, US cattle prices fall and Ørsted warns of…

Thursday 02/05/24

In BIG PICTURE NEWS, US interest rates look like they'll be higher for longer, Sunak faces a reckoning, councils suffer, UK manufacturing falters and UK universities face more course closures. In RETAIL, CONSUMER GOODS & LEISURE NEWS, Mulberry sales fall,…

Wednesday 01/05/24

In BIG PICTURE NEWS, Biden looks to loosen marijuana rules, the EU exits recession and investigates greenwashing, food importers brace for cost increases, council funding looms large, a lithium miner eyes Durham and cocoa prices drop suddenly. In RETAIL, CONSUMER…

Tuesday 30/04/24

In MACRO, BUSINESS & CONSUMER TRENDS NEWS, China's factory activity increases, German inflation remains stubbornly high, Scotland's in a kerfuffle, ad jobs are hit by spending cuts, Getir goes back there and non-food shop prices fall. In TECH & MEDIA…

Monday 29/04/24

In AUTOMOTIVE NEWS, European makers embrace Chinese tech, Musk makes a pit stop in China, the EU ponders car tariffs on Chinese car imports, luxury cars succumb to a weakness and car insurance rises. In CONSUMER TRENDS NEWS, the cost-of-living…

Friday 26/04/24

In MACRO, MARKETS & MINING NEWS, Biden takes a hit, the Bank of Japan keeps interest rates unchanged, markets drop on US disappointment and we take a closer look at the BHP deal. In TECH NEWS, the US pushes for…

Thursday 25/04/24

In MACRO, MINING & ENERGY NEWS, Spain's PM considers resignation, Indonesia raises interest rates, BHP suggests a takeover of Anglo American and the UK generates a record low proportion of fossil fuel-generated electricity. In TECH NEWS, China searches for its…

Wednesday 24/04/24

In MACRO & COMMODITIES NEWS, the US Senate passes a $95bn aid bill, the Bank of England's chief economist sounds cautious, UK borrowing is higher than expectations, we look at UK election timing options, Ithaca buys Eni assets, De Beers'…

Tuesday 23/04/24

In MARKETS & M&A NEWS, the FTSE hits a record high, investors start pricing in a US rate increase, the FTC attempts to scupper a deal and City advisers rake in the Nationwide fees. In TECH NEWS, TikTok faces pressure…

Monday 22/04/24

In AUTOMOTIVE NEWS, we see that an EV glut could cause problems, Tesla has a tough time and Nissan cuts profit estimates. In AI NEWS, the US seeks an alliance with Abu Dhabi and commodities traders use AI to get…

Friday 19/04/24

In MACRO & COMMODITIES NEWS, Iran takes action, Sunak faces a big test and there's bad news for chocolate fans. In TECH & MEDIA NEWS, Google streamlines and Meta unveils a new model while Big Tech seeks AI monetisation, TSMC…

Thursday 18/04/24

In MACRO & BUSINESS TRENDS NEWS, the Israeli public is split on how to respond, the Vix soars, China relies on manufacturing as a saviour and Bailey banks on a "strong drop" next month. In TECH & MEDIA NEWS,ASML forecasts…

Wednesday 17/04/24

In MACRO & COMMODITIES NEWS, US inflation remains stubborn, the IMF sticks the boot into the UK again, Hunt it hopeful about tax cuts and Bailey is hopeful about interest rate cuts while wage growth slows and unemployment rises. We…

Tuesday 16/04/24

In MACRO, MARKETS & COMMODITIES NEWS, Iran forces action, US stocks have a wobble, China's GDP growth jumps, oil stays calm but metals prices rise. In TECH & MEDIA NEWS, Samsung boosts US chipmaking, we look at AI development, Apple…

Monday 15/04/24

In MACRO, OIL & MARKETS NEWS, Biden reacts to Iran dialling things up, the oil price implies that the situation isn't expected to escalate, Shell's latest threat could have major consequences and China's capital markets slow down. In BUSINESS &…

Friday 12/04/24

In MACRO & ENERGY NEWS, China's inflation weakens but strong inflation hits US and UK election prospects, the ECB sticks, Vietnam condemns a fraudster to death, UK energy imports are set for a new high, western countries facilitate Russian LNG…

Thursday 11/04/24

In MACRO & REGULATION NEWS, US inflation rises unexpectedly, China gets downgraded, the IMF warns about trade wars, the FCA proposed ditching MiFID rules and watered-down Basel III rules could be good news for US banks. In EMPLOYMENT & BUSINESS…

Wednesday 10/04/24

In BIG PICTURE NEWS, China and Russia get closer, the EU investigates Chinese wind turbines and BP gets downbeat but drilling is set to start at a big North Sea oil field. In CAR NEWS, Chinese vehicle sales rise but…

Tuesday 09/04/24

In MACRO & COMMODITIES NEWS, Jamie Dimon warns of global economic risks, German factory production expands, gold hits a record high, Shell threatens to head across The Pond and Vitol puts in another strong performance. In RETAIL & BEAUTY NEWS,…