Watson's Daily

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…

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…