Category: Protected – UOL Spring 2023

In BIG PICTURE NEWS, we look at the pager attacks, China's growing military activity, the Fed's decision to cut interest rates and what the Bank of England might do. In GREEN POWER NEWS, Rolls-Royce wins an SMR deal, a European solar panel maker is to cut headcount by 20%, Northvolt fights for survival and there's pushback from carmakers and Meloni. In REAL ESTATE NEWS, London house prices underperform and the cost of renting slows. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, India overtakes China, Asda's co-owner steps back and JPMorgan steps up well-being. AND FINALLY, I bring you a turtle on a skateboard...

In BIG PICTURE NEWS, Trump launches a crypto company, traders bet on the BoE, there's uncertainty about BP's focus, there's another explanation for rising coffee prices, Amazon's RTO sparks debate and UK bosses are confident of full RTO within three years. In TECH NEWS, BlackRock and Microsoft plan a big AI infrastructure fund, Meta faces a massive fine, Microsoft seeks more clarity, Insta gets more parent/child-friendly and Snap bets on AR glasses. In CONSUMER & RETAILER NEWS, US consumer spending surprises, dollar stores continue to expand, B&Q's owner reports sluggish demand for kitchens and bathrooms, Tesco plants to get judgmental and Pret's sales break the £1bn barrier. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Merc sells out of China, Tupperware files for bankruptcy, JP Morgan sidles up to Apple, US delays decision on Nippon Steel and Phililp Morris exits Vectura. AND FINALLY, I bring you an easy pineapple sorbet...

In BIG PICTURE NEWS, Wall Street wavers on the potential size of the Fed's expected rate cut, the yen strengthens, Brexit hits trade, coffee prices are set to rise and BP sells its US onshore wind energy business. In EMPLOYMENT TRENDS, Amazon orders workers to return to the office, City law firms are urged to monitor sleep and Deloitte offers equal parental leave. In TECH NEWS, Intel plans to cut costs and announces a deal with Amazon while TikTok warns of consequences. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, PwC China halts work on its $140m campus, law firms outperform, plans for the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street are to be announced, a developer pushes for two new London skyscrapers, Boeing freezes hiring, Malaysian glove makers boom, Revolut heads to India, Harland & Wolff enters administration, used EV prices plummet and AllSaints is on the up. AND FINALLY, I bring you some blue-collar shenanigans...

In MACRO & COMMODITIES NEWS, Donald Trump survives another attack, power shortages hit Labour's data centre plans, the government reins in its 2030 promise, manufacturers get more confident and BHP warns on copper. In CONSUMER & RETAIL NEWS, Italy continues to attract the rich, London stores suffer and Shein faces closer scrutiny. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, we look at the arguments against governments providing a cybersecurity insurance backstop, Roche has disappointing data, asking prices for UK homes rise while average rents converge in the north and south. AND FINALLY, I bring you very tasty-looking potato bake...

In MACRO & OIL NEWS, Trump chickens out, the ECB cuts rates, UK debt prompts difficult choices and oil demand is slowing. In EV-RELATED NEWS, Northvolt's woes highlight a crossroads and Stellantis suspends production of its electric Fiat 500. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, the global jobs market gets a green shake-up, Indian tourists could be the new focus, OpenAI launches a new model, John Lewis talks a good game, Fever-Tree commits to a London listing and Trainline is on track. AND FINALLY, I bring you Europe's biggest mat-racing waterslide...

In MACRO & OIL NEWS, US inflation falls, the UK economy flatlines and oil weakens. In TECH NEWS, OpenAI aims high, the Data Protection Commission investigates Google, UK data centres get a new designation and Huawei brings out a trifold phone. In APPAREL RETAIL NEWS, Inditex leads the way, Boohoo loses to Shein and shuts its US warehouse. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Rightmove observes CGT-prompted property sales, house prices rise, Rentokil suffers stateside and Campbell's changes its name. AND FINALLY, I bring you rebellion...

In MACRO NEWS, we consider the latest noise coming from the States. In TECH & MEDIA NEWS, Apple loses against the EU, Reeves announces a chunky AWS investment, Australia gets dramatic on social media and Paul Marshall buys The Spectator. In CAR-RELATED NEWS, foreign carmakers overdo China, Chinese makers aim to dominate driverless, BMW shares tank and VW ends job security. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS,foreign companies get cold feet on China, we consider whether we've hit "peak Aldi", B&Q shows initiative, the new Starbucks CEO makes initial noises, Novo Nordisk says its obesity drug is OK for the under-12s and Rightmove says no to REA. AND FINALLY, I bring you a very compelling parrot...

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 NEWS, we look at Apple's shiny new toys, trends in AI, how social media has overtaken TV and that Musk could face Parliament. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Under Armour doubles expected restructuring costs, Aldi goes for expansion and there's good news for housebuilding. AND FINALLY, I bring you a dog that really enjoys being pampered...

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 spree and Santander insists on RTO. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Brazilians fight X's corner, European banks brace for slow mortgage lending and UK councils face a financial "black hole". AND FINALLY, I bring you a useful guide on how to get past Roman immigration...

*** 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 warns on UK inflation and the UK's private sector outperformed. In TECH & MEDIA NEWS, AI can play a role in better cancer diagnosis, insurance groups call for support on cyber risks, AI is used to match lawyers, marketers threaten X and Starlink caves in Brazil. In REAL ESTATE NEWS, we look at Tritax/Segro, Barratt's profit collapse and landlords selling up. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, South Korea tries to learn EV fire lessons, Volvo ditches plans for an all-electric line-up, the Nordstrom family looks to take the chain private, dynamic pricing for tickets looks likely to stay, Amazon announces a pay increase and DLA Piper breaks the £3bn revenue barrier. AND FINALLY, I bring you square melons...

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 TECH & MEDIA NEWS, candidates use videogames for elections, Apple warns browser investigators, Nvidia gets subpoenaed, Sony's chief wants original content and Brazilians switch to Bluesky. In RETAIL & CONSUMER-RELATED NEWS, Watches of Switzerland sounds a recovery, the EC will investigate dynamic pricing and Constellation brands cuts its outlook. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, US homebuilders face hurdles, Aldi pushes for faster planning permission, John Lewis plans rental flats, Revolut cashes in, VW whinges and public-private partnerships face issues. AND FINALLY, I bring you some very skilful construction workers...

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 are rationed. In CONSUMER & EMPLOYMENT TRENDS, UK retail sales pick up, London workers are slower to return, ministers try to quell CEO concern as strikes look more likely. In REAL ESTATE-RELATED NEWS, Blackstone does a €1bn deal for European warehouse assets and Rightmove causes a kerfuffle. AND FINALLY, I bring you gourmet on a budget...

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 copyright claims, OpenAI looks to change its structure and dating apps race to come up with better chat-up lines. In REAL ESTATE NEWS, commercial warehousing is winning while office developments slow right down. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Abercrombie & Kent seeks out an IPO, Rightmove is considered a target and China's gallium supremacy looks difficult to dent. AND FINALLY, I bring you some very unusual breakfast cereal...

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 and Vanguard fails to back ESG measures. In RETAIL & CONSUMER-RELATED NEWS, Dollar General scales back, Gap posts higher sales, UK shoppers hit the high street, Sainsbury's buys new stores, Birkenstock reports highest ever quarterly sales and pubs push back on plans to ban outdoor smoking. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, UK housebuilding disappoints, Lloyds Bank raises borrowing limit, X faces a ban in Brazil, Apple looks to invest, Wayve and Uber team up and Polestar feels the pressure. AND FINALLY, I bring you some amazing chocolate art...

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 shares plummet, OpenAI talks about raising more money, the Telegram drama continues and CrowdStrike cuts guidance. In AUTOMOTIVE NEWS, BYD's first half profit booms, Hyundai sees a drop-off and UK carmaker output falls. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, we consider consumer trends, Lego's record profits, Pru's strong performance and who's going to benefit from the Oasis frenzy. AND FINALLY, I bring you a heart-warming story of friendship...

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 the UK market looks set for a brisk autumn. In RETAIL NEWS, PDD takes a hit as Temu's global expansion hits hurdles, Walmart broadens its offering and we look at why 7-Eleven is so compelling and how Kurt Geiger has seen a decent sales increase. In SOCIAL MEDIA NEWS, we see Zuck in defiant mood and why the Telegram chief's arrest is important. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Klarna wants to cull, Ryanair reckons fares will fall, Gunvor sees earnings halve and Eli Lilly launches a cheaper version of its weight-loss drug. AND FINALLY, I show you what really goes through teachers' minds at parent-teacher meetings...

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 causes a stir, Barclays boosts the bonus pool, investment bankers benefit from a rise in corporate activity and SMEs get hit by rising wages while retail prices rise and bingo halls try to attract younger customers. In TECH NEWS, China ups the ante, Nvidia reflects AI fortunes and we look at the impact of AI on jobs. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, EV charging deserts are revealed, first-time buyers boom in London and Bronfman drops his bid for Paramount. AND FINALLY, I bring you some friendly competition between a gymnast, a gladiator and The Mountain...

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 lawyers get offered even more money. In CAR-RELATED NEWS, US regulators close the Cruise probe, Uber teams up with Cruise and we look at the impact of Tesla's German gigafactory. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, London landlords leave, JD Sports plays well in the US and aircraft orders rise for Airbus and Boeing. AND FINALLY, I bring you some heart-warming moments with dogs...

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 faces a ban, China considers tariff retaliation, the MSCI cut more Chinese stocks and BlackRock edges away from ESG. In RETAIL NEWS,US consumers seek out the bargains, Sephora pulls back from China, Waitrose has expansion plans, Asda's owners are under pressure and Shein considers its options. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Ford gives up on an electric SUV, OpenAI opposes a Cali AI safety bill, the tech industry looks at old power stations and UK unions push for "pay restoration". AND FINALLY, I bring you some bloke climbing a wall...

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 UK and Ireland. In TECH & TELECOMS NEWS, CrowdStrike lashes out and BT is disappointed. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, China's property rescue plan makes a slow start and Tesla gets a sort of a win. AND FINALLY, I bring you a tasty-looking sauce recipe for fish...

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, we see more start-ups failing, the success of copycat weight-loss drugs and consumers appreciating experiences. In M&A NEWS, the Paramount thing just got more interesting, 7-Eleven's parent gets an offer, AMD agrees to buy ZT Systems and Barratt goes ahead with Redrow. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS,Walmart becomes a serious ad player, Facebook and Instagram get a hit from Britain's drug gangs and London City Airport gets permission to expand. AND FINALLY, I bring you a great way of taking gyoza to the next level...

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 becoming an increasingly tricky place for carmakers, clean fuel start-ups are collapsing, the UK jobs market improves, Rayner quite literally spoils the party, vets go on strike and it's a mixed picture in the property market. In RETAIL & LEISURE NEWS, Ted Baker is to shut all stores, the restaurant sector rebounds, tourism falters and Universal seeks out the freebies. In TECH NEWS, big companies fret about AI, the gaming industry benefits from AI, South Korea leads the way using AI in education and management consultancies are deemed largely useless but profit from AI-related advice. AND FINALLY, I bring you an interesting cultural difference that you might take for granted...

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 RETAIL NEWS, Walmart's earnings are solid, Alibaba's revenues miss expectations and Amazon gets the go-ahead for drones. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, a new sodium-ion battery factory opens in North Carolina, first-time buyers continue to rely heavily on BOMAD, Deere cuts headcount, Evoke's earnings weaken and Empiric puts student accommodation rents up by 10%. AND FINALLY, I bring you a somewhat compelling domino topple using shots...

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 and Musk's xAI launches Grok-2. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Bangladesh orders get cut, Mars's move looks expensive, a Hong Kong investor buys UK wind farms, Balfour Beatty takes a hit and international students return in smaller numbers. AND FINALLY, I bring you a couple of Italian guys who make a very good point...

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 Mars and Tilray while Carlsberg raises guidance, Home Depot toughs it out, Asda's sales slow down, Avon UK files for bankruptcy and Starbucks gets a new boss. In TECH NEWS, we consider the Trump/Musk situation, Europe gets feisty and false information gets tested in UK courts. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, the EV switch is expected to take longer, cyber insurers win from the outage and Bellway ditches Crest. AND FINALLY, I bring you a controversial (and extremely messy) sandwich...

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 buy greenbelt land, offices go for big discounts, Blackstone offloads homes and developers stand to benefit from students. In TECH & TELECOMS NEWS, Musk clashes with the EU, Trump has a rant in his Musk interview, Universal Music signs with Meta and an Indian billionaire has plans for BT. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, calls to tax the super-rich get louder, the NHS launches a subscription scheme and UK unis are warned. AND FINALLY, I bring you the great debate of our times - who is better, mummy or daddy??

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 content measures after the riots, TikTok users get false info and we look at where OpenAI's founders have gone. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Disney puts money into parks, BMW snaps at Tesla and Hindenburg doesn't let go. AND FINALLY, I bring you a kid with some impressive parkour skills...

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 US workforce and we look at the future of traditional TV. In TECH NEWS, the CMA launches an investigation into Amazon/Anthropic, Apple makes App Store changes and the Google decision has the potential to open opportunities. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, China's sales of EVs surpass trad cars, the UK's used EV market booms, Barclays ditches the bonus cap, Beazley doubles profits despite Crowdstrike, Persimmon rebounds, prime office demand soars and Eli Lilly reports strong performance. AND FINALLY, I bring you someone who decided to jump over his own house...

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 at the effect of Google's antitrust case on Apple, Google and Meta did a dodgy deal, Disney profits from streaming but Warner Bros writes down its TV channels, Bumble hits an all-time low, there's reaction to Musk and Telegram usage booms. In PHARMACEUTICALS NEWS, Eli Lilly moves into the isotope business and Novo Nordisk disappoints. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, the slowdown US consumer spending has repercussions, Shopify booms, a Merc EV fire reminds us of risks, the UK moves to restrict overseas hiring and UK estate agents expect property prices to continue to rise. AND FINALLY, I bring you a weirdly addictive musical video...

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 ditch anti-strike laws and Saudi Aramco dishes out the dividends. In TECH & MEDIA NEWS, X goes on the warpath with advertisers, shuts down its San Fran HQ, pushes back against accusations of fuelling UK riots and Disney jacks up the price of most streaming plans. In REAL ESTATE NEWS,Evergrande's liquidators slap PwC with a lawsuit, the UK construction sector rebounds and Rightmove has a spot of bother. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, China's battery industry faces consolidation, Amazon looks to soldier on, Uber returns to profitability, Airbnb takes a hit, Domino's downgrades forecasts and Abrdn gets back into the black. AND FINALLY, I bring you a freezing challenge...

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 companies ditched PwC. In TECH NEWS, Google lost on search, Elon goes after OpenAI again, an OpenAI co-founder defects to Anthropic and next-gen AI chips from Nvidia could get delayed. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, EV sales forecasts are cut, Lucid gets Saudi funding and SocGen takes action. AND FINALLY, I bring you a futuristic concept car...

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, Buffett sells a big lump of his stake in Apple and Intel still faces challenges. In CONSUMER, RETAIL & LEISURE TRENDS, we look at movements in China and the US, how boycotts on western brands in Muslim countries is hurting, how Prada is winning, Seasalt's success and whether McDonald's can beat Greggs. In LEGAL NEWS, we look at whether magic circle firms will ever break US firms' dominance and how legal AI could transform the billable hour. AND FINALLY, I bring you a classic comedy sketch you probably haven't seen...

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 NEWS, we see more regulator scrutiny of AI, Intel shares plummet, Amazon earnings jump, Apple revenues rise, CrowdStrike gets hit with a class action lawsuit and Meta is making AI pay. In RETAIL & LEISURE NEWS, Next jacks up profit targets and Wizz Air scales back. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, BNP Paribas looks to create an asset management mammoth, AB InBev feels weaker China demand, Rolls-Royce is on a roll and Maersk lifts guidance. AND FINALLY, I bring you a weirdly satisfying video...

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 users, chip shares climb, Delta counts the cost of the CrowdStrike outage, Google upgrades search and Meta gets a boost. In FINANCIALS NEWS, Bill Ackman suddenly pulls the Pershing Square IPO while Phoenix and Schroders team up. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, we see that UK IHT liabilities hit record levels, Entain's American dream hits reality and Boeing takes on a new CEO. AND FINALLY, I bring you the sort of guy that every wedding reception needs to get the party started...

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 while London loses out on mining dominance. In CONSUMER TRENDS & GOODS NEWS, Gen Z teetotallers make themselves felt, Diageo suffers, Adidas sprints ahead, L'Oréal does well outside China and Danone benefits from easing prices. In TECH & MEDIA NEWS, the CMA looks into Google/Anthropic, Microsoft's splurge on AI looks like it should pay off but Azure sales slow down, Nvidia shares slow, management consultants look to benefit from the AI boom and Gen-Zs turn away from TV. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, we look at Tesla issues, HSBC's triumph, St James's Place's boost, GSK's rising confidence and Temu backlash. AND FINALLY, I bring you an impressive penalty kick...

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 American warns on diamonds. In BUSINESS & EMPLOYMENT TRENDS, trade war fears increase, the UK job market cools, the WFH trend continues and Labour's promise to overhaul workers' rights alarms employers. In TECH & MEDIA NEWS, we look at why AI won't work, TSMC's chip hopes, OpenAI and Broadcom enter talks, Meta decides not to release its AI model in the EU and looks at putting money into EssilorLuxottica, Netflix booms and Publicis lifts guidance. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, William Hill's owner announces a profits warning, Frasers Group lifts forecasts and there are interesting plans afoot for HSBC's skyscraper. AND FINALLY, I bring you a tricky challenge...

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 BUSINESS, EMPLOYMENT & CONSUMER TRENDS, the Red Sea issues continue to have repercussions, Prologis spots an interesting trend, Roche's weight-loss pill gets closer, Amazon workers in Cov don't unionise, Microsoft cuts its D&I team and we look at how consumers are spending money on homes and EVs. In TECH NEWS, China moves to create a socialist AI, chip stocks take a hit and bitcoin miners try to benefit from AI. In M&A NEWS, EssilorLuxottica buys Supreme and Pernod Ricard offloads a lot of wine. AND FINALLY, I bring you a clever (yet simple) life hack...

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 win and cotton prices fall. In FINANCIALS NEWS, US banks get hit by low savings rates, Morgan Stanley benefits from trading revenues, Klarna gears up for an IPO and Wise experiences a surge in user numbers. In CONSUMER & RETAIL NEWS, UK retail spending rises, Richemont continues the luxury trend, Adidas rebounds and Ocado ups its forecasts. In TECH NEWS, Elon Musk moves to shift SpaceX and X headquarters to Texas and Microsoft faces investigation. AND FINALLY, I bring you beef wellington croissants 😱...

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, the charging network grows and Jaguar cuts almost all of its petrol cars. In LUXURY RETAIL NEWS, brands roll out 50% discounts to get the punters in, Burberry chops its chief whilst announcing another profit warning and Hugo Boss has a 'mare as well. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Goldman Sachs sees a big rise in profits, a boutique bank aims for UK expansion, Slaughter & May distances itself from other magic circlers and UK private schools warn about VAT. AND FINALLY, I bring you a pretty ridiculous dessert...

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 NEWS, Apple and Samsung phone shipments rise, Alphabet is in talks to buy Wiz, the SEC is urged to look into NDAs at OpenAI and unrest at Samsung could benefit rivals. In REAL ESTATE-RELATED NEWS, property developers brace for a green belt frenzy and the UK housing market looks set for autumn. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, we look at the upside of EVs, motor insurers have a tough time, Hotel Choc plans more new stores and Shein's potential IPO puts the FCA in a tricky spot. AND FINALLY, I bring you a very focused bartender...

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 UK, Uniqlo has opportunity and PepsiCo is the latest company to call the peak in pricing power. In TECH NEWS, Apple settles in Europe while SoftBank buys Graphcore. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, we see that Tesla's US market share weakens, Delta's profits don't augur well for the industry, A&O Shearman ponies up, Hays has a profits warning and Pfizer ploughs on with a weight loss pill. AND FINALLY, I bring you a touching song...

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 demand in 2025. In REAL ESTATE NEWS, top end London property prices fall, Crest Nicholson gets closer to Bellway and Barratt Developments says it will build fewer homes. In TECH-RELATED NEWS, Microsoft and Apple ditch their OpenAI seats, Chinese Xiaohongshu social media platform gets foreign backing and Baidu's robotaxis could see human limitations. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, the UK announced its biggest overhaul of listing rules in a generation, the ECB sounds a warning on shadow banking, India's tea problems look unlikely to hinder Brits too much and Labour begins a crackdown on water companies. AND FINALLY, I bring you a terrifying sight (if you're scared of heights!)...

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 prices. In BUSINESS & EMPLOYMENT TRENDS NEWS, Begbies Traynor expects higher insolvency levels, Dyson announces deep cuts, Page Group issues another profit warning and Linklaters partners rake it in. In CONSUMER GOODS & LEISURE NEWS, a US non-alcoholic beer brand doubles its valuation, Nike's turnaround efforts stumble, Samsung Electronics workers vote for an indefinite strike and Loungers knocks it out of the park. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Ariane 6 launches, Vistry expects a Labour boost and Shein launches a €200m fund. AND FINALLY, I bring you gourmet food on a budget...

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 Turkey and Shanghai gets truly driverless taxis. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Ocado expands in Japan, Superdrug posts a decent profit, user growth at X pauses, tea prices rise, Devon Energy buys Grayson Mill Energy and Carlsberg buys Britvic. AND FINALLY, I bring you a decent hummus recipe...

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, US consumer goods companies are losing their grip, UK consultant numbers decline, Brookfield is looking to create a UK insurer and battery maker SK On suffers from poor EV sales. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Burberry looks to cut headcount, the fashion industry pushes for the return of tourist tax breaks, Arianespace takes on SpaceX and Paramount Global agrees to a deal with Skydance. AND FINALLY, I bring you some of the delights of Borough Market...

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 car registrations breached the 1m mark. In TECH NEWS, Nvidia makes a ton despite US sanctions on China, famous people get the AI treatment and Samsung expects booming profits in Q2. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Cineworld looks at closing 25% of its cinemas, Stonegate falls into loss, British Gas threatens businesses with bankruptcy and UK holiday let owners shift to business rates. AND FINALLY, I bring you something you really shouldn't try yourself without a lot of practice...

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 will build an Australian defence cloud and we look at why Amazon shouldn't take on Shein and Temu while Saks' owner buys Neiman Marcus. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, BMW attacks EU tariffs on Chinese EV imports and Hawksmoor restaurants go up for sale. AND FINALLY, I bring you a naughty little trick to play on someone...

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 BYD has to watch its back. In RETAIL & CONSUMER NEWS, Amazon's international division rebounds, the EU takes aim at Temu and Shein (and Sainsbury's sticks the boot in), Sainsbury's expects anaemic trading at Argos, M&S sees a change, rich people sell up and rents are on the rise. In TECH NEWS, Apple joins OpenAI's board and Google emissions jump because of AI use. AND FINALLY, I bring you the worst chat-up line ever...

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 NEWS, Italian luxury houses have labour issues, mysterious deaths cast a shadow over Northvolt, UK manufacturing growth slows down, Boeing's acquisition puts Belfast jobs in doubt, Harland & Wolff suspends share trading while Shein and Temu push airfreight rates higher. In CONSUMER & EMPLOYMENT-RELATED NEWS, UK house prices ticked up in June, shop price inflation slowed down, British grads are warned of a potential "white-collar recession" and Morgan Stanley became the latest investment bank to ditch the bonus cap. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Meta faces more regulatory pressure, Air France-KLM takes a hit from Olympic-avoiders, Hindenburg gets bullied by Indian regulators, Fox launches Tubi in the UK and Revolut's profits hit a new high. AND FINALLY, I bring you some amazing Spanish guitar...

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" hotline. In M&A NEWS, BlackRock buys Preqin, TDR Capital looks to offload BPP and Boeing agrees to buy Spirit AeroSystems. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, the UK haulage industry wants better electric truck infrastructure, a Cambridge start-up makes a battery breakthrough, older renter numbers rise, M&S launches new services and a new AI-generated ad causes a stir. AND FINALLY, I challenge you to think of something that rhymes with "orange"...

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 (but is sued by UK third-party sellers), the sale of Boots is postponed, Gap regains some mojo, Halfords slows and Watches of Switzerland blames the tourist tax. In CONSUMER & CONSUMER GOODS NEWS, UK households face a steep rise in mortgage payments and Nike shares fall. AND FINALLY, I bring you a somewhat extreme way to limit overtime...

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 much Royal Mail will be paying out in fees and see that an online comics platform is to float on the NASDAQ. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, YouTube holds talks with record labels, Ferrari floats a nice little earner, AO World's profits triple and Mike Ashley's at it again. AND FINALLY, I bring you a pretty amazing football trick...

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, Stellantis threatens UK factory shutdown and Labour walks a fine line. In LEGAL/LEGISLATION NEWS, the EU charges Microsoft over Teams and fears rise over the effect of potential class actions. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, China looks good for Novo Nordisk's obesity drug while generic versions look set for a boom, we look at what Shein needs to do, how Morrisons' turnaround is being held back, why Chapel Down wants to sell and how Airbus sheds $12bn in value. AND FINALLY, I bring you the genius of Mariam Marks's face painting...

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 Apple. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, San Francisco's in trouble, UK finances are in a mess, Getir is on the verge of a break-up and Nestlé wants to sort out "Ozempic face". AND FINALLY, I bring you the right way to slice a baguette...