In OIL, MACRO & ENERGY NEWS, the G7 cooks something up to annoy Russia while India continues to be a loophole, the central bank of central banks says we’re at a “tipping point” and Macron backs his PM while France face electricity rationing. In UK BUSINESS TRENDS, SMEs struggle, local builders fail and a car-charger start-up ditches its SPAC option. In EMPLOYMENT NEWS, PwC coughs up and grads have it good. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, JUkrainian farmers face big challenges, Amazon’s Prime Day looks a bit meh and JLR has leaky sales.AND FINALLY, I bring you a caption competition and a flying hotel…
In MACRO, ENERGY & CRYPTO NEWS, the Fed could get friskier, China vows to stay on track, Norway surprises, Germany braces itself on gas, the cryptocrash looks real and Ronnie does NFTs. In CONSUMER TRENDS & RETAIL NEWS, confidence hits an all-time low, home workers face pressure, bikes sales fall, booze sales fall at Naked Wines and pubs, Heathrow gets optimistic, Matalan fades and Nike exits Russia. In REAL ESTATE NEWS, warehouse valuations double and buy-to-let landlords suffer. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Juul gets cut, Netflix axes more staff and Toyota has a recall.AND FINALLY, I bring you a fantasy office and a roller slide…
In MACRO, ENERGY & CRYPTO NEWS, Italy’s Five Star party splits, Europe is warned about a Russian switch-off, Rolls-Royce pushes for SMR approval and Binance’s boss has a gloomy crypto outlook. In CAR & BATTERY NEWS, Ford warns of major job cuts, Britishvolt tries to woo Tesla and charging rule changes cause confusion. In CONSUMER/RETAIL NEWS, we look at the current state of Chinese and UK consumers, Alibaba, Shopify and DoorDash push into new areas, Frasers buys more Hugo Boss and Harrods has problems dahhlings. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Juul faces carnage, Netflix cooks up its new offering and Mars unveils decent revenues.AND FINALLY, I bring you a different version of Running Up That Hill…
In MARKETS, MACRO & ENERGY NEWS, Wall St has a ‘mare, the US economy heads towards recession, SE Asia’s economy rebounds, coal demand rises and plans are afoot for more mini-nukes. In FINANCIALS NEWS, we look at US banks’ stress tests, Visa/Mastercard’s investigation and the crypto situation. In RETAIL/CONSUMER NEWS, US retailers notice trends while UK consumers face higher bills and farmers leave food in the ground. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Kellogg decides to split itself, a new vaccine centre’s coming to the UK, Germany digs its heels in on combustion engines and Glencore faces the music for bribery.AND FINALLY, I bring you a tricky situation…
In BIG PICTURE NEWS, Europe races for coal, the Bank of England is urged to strengthen the pound and Celsius continues to freeze Bitcoin holdings. In RETAIL NEWS, JD.Com is a bit meh, Primark makes online moves and Ocado sucks up money. In REAL ESTATE NEWS, a pre-fab house-builder hits the UK and mortgage affordability rules go out of the window. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, an EY break-up could produce big windfalls, Euromoney gets approached and JAB consolidates moves into US petcare.AND FINALLY, I bring you 3D Othello…
In MACRO, ENERGY & CRYPTO NEWS, Macron suffers a major setback, UK City bosses predict recession, Germany decides to fire up coal power stations and the crypto shocker continues. In REAL ESTATE NEWS, UK property insolvencies look set to rise while residential property is set to slow. In EMPLOYMENT & WAGE TRENDS, Apple Store workers vote to unionise, UK workers plan to quit while profit margins seem to outpace wage growth. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, US travel faces issues, US retailer inventories pile up, BNPL rules are fleshed out and we ponder Ocado’s fate.AND FINALLY, I bring you a sushi train…
In MARKETS, MACRO & ENERGY NEWS, markets tumble, EU leaders back Ukraine, the Bank of England and Swiss National Bank raise rates, Germans are told to cut energy consumption and BG does a deal with Norway. In REAL ESTATE NEWS, US mortgage rates jump, HSBC hikes its mortgage rates and West End landlords consolidate. In RETAIL & CONSUMER NEWS, Asos suffers, Halfords warns on inflation, UK food prices are set to rise further and UK consumers cut back. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, US car prices keep rising, Tesla jacks up its prices, Ferrari commits to electric and Revlon files for bankruptcy.AND FINALLY, I bring you some job openings for chocolate lovers…
In MACRO, ENERGY & CRYPTO NEWS, the Fed makes a drastic rate hike, gas prices rise, BP invests big in renewables and crypto continues to take a massive drubbing. In CONSUMER & RETAIL TRENDS, US consumers hold back, China retail sales fall, WH Smith benefits from the return to travel, Whitbread does well but is less certain of the future, H&M is the same and Sainsbury’s deepens its beef with Aldi. In EV BATTERY NEWS, Foxconn builds a plant in Taiwan and Britishvolt educates its workforce. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Apple signs a big MLS deal, YouTube shorts catch up with TikTok and BTS causes a stir.AND FINALLY, I bring you little bloke with a massive appetite…
In CRYPTO NEWS, Coinbase aims to cut almost 20% of its workforce and players fear the crypto winter. In CAR-RELATED NEWS, Ford announces a Mach-E recall, UK EV subsidies disappear and the Pentagon ups the stakes for rare earths. In EMPLOYMENT NEWS, the UK labour market remains tight, average wages fall, airport vacancies hit record highs and airlines are ordered to stick to their schedules. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, ESG stays in the spotlight, Instagram is to give parents more rights and UK new home demand outstrips supply. AND FINALLY, I bring you Britain’s top 100 restaurants…
In MACRO, MARKETS & CRYPTO/CURRENCIES NEWS, the Fed could get super-aggressive, US and UK markets take a pasting, the Yen and Sterling reach new lows versus the Dollar while Bitcoin falls further. In TECH NEWS, Big Tech makes concessions, Chinese edu-tech adapts and Oracle smashes sales. In M&A NEWS, Prologis does a massive deal, Go Ahead accepts a bid and Countryside puts itself up for sale. In MISCELLANEOUS TRENDS, Omicron rears its head in Beijing, Sanofi-GSK’s booster beats rivals, supermarket fuel gets investigated, Lightyear provides a solar solution to EV worries and Netflix announces Squid Game 2. AND FINALLY, I bring you the most fantastic movie trailer I have ever seen…
In MACRO, MARKETS AND ENERGY-RELATED NEWS, US recession next year appears likely, flotations tank while more M&A is expected in Japan and we look at the food as energy debate. In CONSUMER/RETAIL-RELATED NEWS, fuel prices hit $5 a gallon in the US, food prices continue to rise, Morrisons’ owner looks to sell off assets, UK supermarkets crack down on unhealthy food temptation and online car sales wobble. In EMPLOYMENT TRENDS, railway workers rush to quit and poor conditions persist in Leicester factories. In MISCELLANEOUS TRENDS, Russia’s McDonald’s replacement opens for business and Sunak faces more pressure.AND FINALLY, I bring you an amazing Harry Potter café…
In MACRO & GAS NEWS, China digs in with Covid but exports rise, the ECB aims to raise interest rates and European gas prices rise even more. In TECH NEWS, Big Tech spends big to fend off legislation, Apple goes deeper with BNPL, Facebook rethinks news payments, Twitter continues with the Musk bid and chip shortages could dent prospects for next-gen phones. In EMPLOYMENT/SUPPLY CHAIN NEWS, the UK labour market continues to be tight, Unison gets frisky, feed and fertiliser costs keep rising and the supermarket/supplier relationship gets testy. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Reliance edges closer to Boots, AO gives up in Germany, DFS gets less comfortable and State Street denies the rumours..AND FINALLY, I bring you a very naughty (but also impressive) seagull…
In MACROECONOMIC NEWS, both the G20 and the BCC are down on the UK’s economic prospects while Sunak is urged to cut taxes. In UK REAL ESTATE NEWS, average house prices rise but home inquiries slow as Lloyds Bank raises mortgages, John Lewis identifies sites and we look at where Foxtons failed. In FINANCIALS NEWS, there’s a run on Chinese banks and Credit Suisse has its third profit warning this year. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Inditex smashes it, Uniqlo faces inventory risks, Wizz Air warns of more losses and fertiliser problems get worse.AND FINALLY, I bring you a ridiculously steep hill…
In MACRO & CRYPTO NEWS, World Bank warns, Germany suffers, Australia hikes the interest rate and OpenSea navigates choppy waters. In CONSUMER TRENDS & RETAIL NEWS, Londoners reckon WFH is here to stay, fuel prices make EVs viable, JD Sports gets slapped, Ted Baker loses a buyer and Target’s slack could be picked up by discounters. In TECH NEWS, we look at the impact of Apple wading into BNPL and Brussels rules on chargers. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, another company attacks the LME, Biffa gets a bid and Cazoo tightens its belt.AND FINALLY, I bring you a heart-warming doggy story…
In MACRO AND OIL & GAS NEWS, BoJo survives while Russia’s oil & gas problems make waves around the world. In TECH NEWS, China’s tech nightmare eases, Big Tech lobbies hard, Apple unveils new stuff, GoTo announces BNPL, Musk has a hissy and Buzzfeed craters. In AUTOMOTIVE NEWS, BYD has a nightmare, Mercedes-Benz announces a recall and new car sales dive in the UK. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, UK consumers continue to feel the pinch but visit the high street in greater numbers while Fink backpedals on ESG and Elliott gets feisty with nickel.AND FINALLY, I bring you the latest Primark best-seller…
In MACROECONOMIC NEWS, Biden relents on sanctions and tariffs, Japan changes its stance on defence and Australia accuses China. In NEWS ON EMPLOYERS & EMPLOYEES, bankruptcies look set to boom, lawyers push for wellbeing, City bonuses run riot while CFA demand falls sharply, thousands are set to trial a four-day week and the logistics sector offers a lot of jobs. In EV NEWS, Tesla looks at cutting its workforce and Rivian continues to face issues. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, China’s international schools take a pasting, Apple looks at a headset and BNPL for businesses gets a lot of interest.AND FINALLY, I bring you a whole load of omelettes (including how to make a Pikachu one)…
In MACROECONOMIC NEWS, Eurozone inflation hits a new high while the EU and UK ban insurance for Russian oil cargoes. In CONSUMER/RETAIL NEWS, UK mortgage approvals slide, UK credit card spending rises, food prices increase while grocery chains squeeze suppliers and B&M has a rough time. In M&A AND INVESTMENT NEWS, DSM moves to takeover Firmenich in a €41bn deal, Elliott sells AC Milan and Deutsche Bank gets raided for greenwashing. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, execs buy the dips, buyers dash for potash, HP lifts its earnings outlook and raspberries get picked by robot.AND FINALLY, I bring you a sensational sandwich…
In ENERGY & OIL NEWS, the government scrambles for North Sea gas, EDF has problems, EU leaders restrict Russian oil imports and oil prices exceed $120 a barrel. In CONSUMER & RETAIL NEWS, UK car ownership falls, food prices come under focus, Sainsbury’s tries to help out, Morrisons/McColl’s goes under the microscope and Missguided calls in the administrators. In REAL ESTATE NEWS, Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund buys into UK student housing and a US investor bids for Countryside. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Qualcomm steps up for Arm and the US sees a shortage of job candidates.AND FINALLY, I bring you some unusual chopsticks…
In MACRO, MARKETS & ENERGY NEWS, central banks raise interest rates, China tries to open Shanghai, South Korea’s IPO pipeline wanes and BoJo has a nuclear hiccup. In CONSUMER & EMPLOYMENT NEWS, Americans travel, Brits’ enthusiasm for the gym slows and more robots fill factories. In RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY NEWS, US house prices challenge buyers, UK property price momentum loses steam and Help To Buy approaches a deadline. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Revolut gets closer to flotation, hackers attack Sberbank and Volvo has an impressive battery.AND FINALLY, I bring you the right way to eat a Toblerone and how to get a 6p pint of beer TODAY…
In MACRO & MARKETS NEWS, the US economy contracts, Russia cuts interest rates again, Sunak brings in the windfall tax and other measures and the UK listing rules are set to change. In RETAIL-RELATED NEWS, Alibaba posts slow growth, US retailers get a boost, Ted Baker benefits from weddings and the office return, Auto Trader booms and Asda shoppers cut spending. In M&A NEWS, Broadcom puts in a formal offer for VMware, Johnson Matthey sells its battery business and FirstGroup considers a takeover. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Microsoft slows hiring, Twitter is fined, warehouse demand keeps rising and Klarna chases profit.AND FINALLY, I leave you with some flying, some music and some frenzied dancing…
In MACRO & CRYPTO NEWS, more US rate rises look likely, China gets downbeat, Russia ups pensions and the minimum wage, Sunak is on the verge of announcing a windfall tax and crypto is a mixed bag. In CAR-RELATED NEWS, Beijing lockdowns hit carmakers and VW pays out for dieselgate while Stellantis and Samsung announce a new battery factory. In RETAILER NEWS, chiefs leave at M&S, JD Sports and Pets At Home – but with differing levels of success. In TECH NEWS, Nvidia announces strong sales and Musk loses a Twitter ally.AND FINALLY, I leave you with something that made me laugh so much this morning…
In BIG PICTURE NEWS, the global tax deal looks wobbly, Qatar pledges to invest in the UK, UK biz activity growth slows, the windfall tax thing edges closer and the ECB sticks the boot in with crypto. In CONSUMER/EMPLOYMENT/RETAIL NEWS, UK wages diverge and rail workers vote to strike while consumers face higher utility bills (with a difference) and grocery prices as we spend money on insulation and food-to go. We also look at retail prospects while Chanel does well and Abercrombie & Fitch doesn’t. In SOCIAL MEDIA & LEISURE NEWS, Snap’s misery prompts wider concerns, clubbing in the metaverse looks like being a thing and Airbnb’s China withdrawal hands locals big potential. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Glencore is set to pay a big fine, JPMorgan counts the cost and Gorillas slims down.AND FINALLY, I bring you a useful iPhone hack…
In MACRO & ENERGY NEWS, Biden commits to Taiwan, Italy’s economy suffers, Sunak bows to windfall tax pressure, the US faces blackouts and Siemens Energy goes for Gamesa. In TECH NEWS, Broadcom’s in talks to buy VMware in $50bn deal, Zoom puts in a decent performance and Snap has a profit warning. In FINANCIALS NEWS, the SEC fines BNY Mellon, private equity faces more scrutiny and Klarna cuts 10% of its employees. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, EV battery prices rise, B&Q’s owner sees more upside, Starbucks exits Russia and Airbnb exits China.AND FINALLY, I bring you an amazing illusion…
In REAL ESTATE NEWS, we look at the current state of office property and holiday lets. In CONSUMER & RETAIL NEWS, the boss/worker pay gap widens, energy bills are likely to stay higher for longer, M&S faces price rise challenges and farmers fear an egg influx. In TRANSPORT-RELATED NEWS, Airbus aims to build a buffer and electric ferries are on the cards. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Australia gets a new PM, ESG funds suffer tech-buffeting and Apple considers production outside China.AND FINALLY, I bring you a lettuce trick and an amusing prank…
In M&A NEWS, a PE crackdown looks imminent, Twitter looks watertight, McDonald’s finds a buyer for its Russia business and Brookfield swoops for HomeServe. In AUTOMOTIVE NEWS, Mercedes declares focus on high-end and Renault goes for hydrogen. In STREAMING NEWS, Netflix tightens its belt but Amazon splashes the cash. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, we see US home sales slow down, UK consumer confidence at record lows, Klarna potentially losing billions and an interesting use of NFTs.AND FINALLY, I bring you a VERY catchy song…
In MACROECONOMIC NEWS, Turkey’s Erdogan blocks NATO accession talks while Sunak warns us to strap in. In RETAIL & REAL ESTATE NEWS, Target and Walmart weakness trigger a US sell-off, Burberry goes more niche, Watches of Switzerland sees sales boom, UK pub chains adapt, British Land puts in a decent performance and UK house prices lose momentum. In M&A NEWS, we see a shipping/aviation move, Barclays buying into Barrenjoey and the PIF buying a chunk of Nintendo. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Tencent has a ‘mare, Tesla has a tantrum and Impossible comes to the UK.AND FINALLY, I bring you a chip shop abomination and a cautionary parental tale…
In RETAIL/CONSUMER NEWS, US retail sales rise, Walmart has a ‘mare, UK unemployment hits new lows and parents finance kids. In FINANCIALS NEWS, Allianz agrees a massive settlement, Mastercard tries something new and Thought Machine doubles its valuation. In SOCIAL/MEDIA NEWS, the Twitter drama trundles on and Netflix’s new direction leads to new opportunities. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Britain exports record levels of energy, AstraZeneca strikes a Covid antibody drug deal and Land Securities benefits from a return to the office.AND FINALLY, I bring you an amazing fitness influencer…
In MACRO, COMMODITIES & CRYPTO NEWS, Finland and Sweden move forward with NATO and Putin’s OK with it, China and the EU lose ground, the BoE loses control of inflation, wheat prices rocket and Nomura goes crypto. In AUTOMOTIVE NEWS, Renault exits Russia and Lordstown Motors gets close to conking out. In FAST FOOD NEWS, McDonald’s leaves Russia and Greggs pounces on city centres. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Musk hints at a lower offer for Twitter, Uber is to offer membership in the UK and Made.com has a ‘mare.AND FINALLY, I bring you Spider-Man dancing in a supermarket…
In MACRO, OIL & CRYPTO NEWS, Sweden and Finland apply to join NATO, Saudi Aramco reports jump in profits and crypto assets get some good news. In CARS & BATTERY NEWS, used car prices in US calm down and Ford sells more Rivian while Northvolt and Norsk Hydro expand their battery recycling plans in Europe. In INDUSTRY NEWS, UK manufacturing adapts to Covid and Brexit while diamonds face difficulties. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, we look behind the Twitter deal “suspension”, Peloton find the going tough and London rents rise.AND FINALLY, I bring you the weirdest pizza I’ve ever seen…
In OIL, GAS & CRYPTO NEWS, BP still faces windfall tax calls, Shell sells Russian petrol stations, European gas prices rise and there’s panic in the crypto market. In MANUFACTURING-RELATED NEWS, Foxconn beats rivals, Rolls-Royce is hopeful, Jaguar has chip issues and Rivian has a recall. In M&A NEWS, Vodafone and Three are in talks, BT and Warner talk sport and Warner Music competes with BMG to buy a back catalogue. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Twitter sheds top execs, SoftBank has a massive loss and pressure increases for a mini-budget.AND FINALLY, I bring you some classic sport ads…
In MACROECONOMIC NEWS, US and China inflation rides high, the ECB edges towards a possible interest rate rise – and counts the potential cost of the Ukraine war – while BoJo offers security to Sweden and Finland and Sunak puts together a support package. In CONSUMER TRENDS & RETAIL NEWS, Compass benefits from a return to office, Airbnb changes its offering, Tui advises booking now and Disney+ sees more subscribers while UK employers give out bonuses and Tesco provides office space. In AUTOMOTIVE NEWS, Toyota warns on profits and Arrival turns on Russia. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, US farmers race against the weather, global investment banks make money in China and casinos have their best month ever!.AND FINALLY, I bring you a little light music…
In TECH & GAMING NEWS, Twitter looks like relenting on Trump, Grindr aims for flotation, Bored Ape ups the ante in the metaverse, EA departs from Fifa, Nintendo does a stock split and Sony banks on more PS5 sales. In EV NEWS, Tesla suffers in Shanghai, Stellantis warns of battery shortages, ships warn about battery fires and Shell accelerates charger rollout. In TRAVEL SECTOR NEWS, British Airways reshuffles management, Wizz Air looks east and Eurotunnel benefits from P&O misery. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Netflix talks ads, Peloton crashes and Pfizer goes shopping.AND FINALLY, I bring you a thought for the day…
In MARKETS, MACRO & OIL NEWS, global markets weaken, China has issues, Russia is suffering, crypto market value drops and we see how oil companies made their money. In M&A AND IPO NEWS, Philip Morris pursues Swedish Match, Morrisons buys McColl’s and Goldman Sachs swerves SPACs. In CONSUMER-RELATED NEWS, European wages rise, higher energy bills are a short and long-term problem, UK consumer spending falls but US consumers keep buying expensive meat. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Ford sells a bit of its Rivian stake while UK electric car sales more than double, BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce get a nuke contract and defence companies experience supply problems.AND FINALLY, I bring you something you didn’t know about post boxes…
In BIG PICTURE NEWS, US imposes more Russia sanctions, Trafigura invests in UK lithium, US refiners reap the benefit of high pump prices and the US faces electricity shortages. In CONSUMER & RETAIL NEWS, households continue to face major challenges, Scottish Power calls for action on energy bills and we look at whether we’ve fallen out of love with online shopping. In M&A NEWS, Morrisons goes for McColl’s and West End landlords look to merge.AND FINALLY, I bring you some anti-hack hacks and an amazing “toy”…
In MARKETS, MACRO & INDUSTRY TRENDS NEWS, US markets plunge, the Bank of England raises the interest rate, UK businesses have a tough time, German and French manufacturing suffers while Finland and Sweden face a tricky NATO problem. In LOCKDOWN WINNERS/LOSERS NEWS, we look at lockdown winners-turned-losers (Shopify, Peloton and Netflix), loser-turned-winner (Trainline) and a continued winner in DoorDash. In CONSUMER TRENDS/RETAIL NEWS, car sales are likely to weaken (but Bentley sales are strong!), Etsy has a rough patch and pig farmers appeal to Tesco. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Twitter gets more financing and Shell makes big profits.AND FINALLY, I bring you a baby sumo wrestler…
In MACRO & SANCTIONS NEWS, the US raises interest rates, the BoE is thinking about it, Hungary holds out on EU’s proposed embargo, a further SWIFT ban is considered and Truss cuts off pro services to Russia. In CONSUMER & RETAIL NEWS, US consumers shop like it’s 2019, Eurozone retail sales fall, UK consumers consume more credit and less meat while Boohoo’s profits plunge and Joules’ troubles continue. In CAR NEWS, VW sells out of EVs in Europe and the US while Aston Martin gets a refresh. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Uber suffers, Flutter wins and “banter” lawsuits increase.AND FINALLY, I bring you an unhealthy job vacancy…
In MACRO & OIL NEWS, Australia raises its interest rate, UK factory gate prices rocket, Eurozone unemployment falls, China refiners buy cheap Russian oil and BP’s bumper earnings prompt renewed calls for a windfall tax. In CONSUMER-RELATED & RETAIL NEWS, shoppers pay higher prices and Klarna spending is to affect credit scores while Estee Lauder suffers and Airbnb is hopeful, Tesco links with Uber and McColl’s has its shares suspended. In CAR-RELATED NEWS, Merc/BMW’s car share business gets ditched and Cazoo has a tough time. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Facebook cuts its podcasting products, Twitter could go public again, Starbucks increases pressure on unions and Avalon takes a massive hit.AND FINALLY, I bring you a ridiculous roast dinner “innovation”…
In MACRO, OIL & ENERGY NEWS, Beijing edges closer to lockdown, Rome distances itself from Moscow, the EU gets closer to a Russian oil embargo and we look at developments in natural gas supply, wind, nuclear and fusion. In TECH NEWS, the EU aims at Apple Pay, Amazon workers reject unions, Facebook has a tough time and BoJo chances his Arm. In AVIATION NEWS, Qantas buys 12 Airbus planes, Spirit rejects JetBlue’s approach and Heathrow gives ground. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Netflix’s prospects worsen and we look at the effect of the supermarket price war on farmers.AND FINALLY, I bring you omelette-in-a-can and an interesting wedding photo…
In MACRO & CURRENCY NEWS, Biden aims for more Ukraine aid, the US economy contracts, the ECB admits its useless forecasting, Germany and Austria keep paying Russia and the dollar reaches a new high. In TECH NEWS, Apple has record profits but faces more antitrust charges, Amazon has its slowest growth for twenty years, the Twitter drama continues, Meta evolves and Spotify distances itself from Netflix. In CONSUMER/RETAIL-RELATED NEWS, Unilever puts up prices, Sainsbury’s has a rough ride, shop vacancies fall and Premier Inn ups its rates. In BANKS NEWS, Barclays profits are dented by various costs while Standard Chartered beats estimates.AND FINALLY, I bring you Japanese Bake Off and some amazing 3D latte art…
In MARKETS & SANCTIONS NEWS, China wants to spend on infrastructure, Europe faces recession, the ECB opens the door to higher interest rates, European gas prices spike, coal-powered plants get a stay of execution and Sunak reconsiders a windfall tax. In CONSUMER & RETAIL NEWS, we look at the prospect of house price weakness, Mattel sees a sales boom, Ted Baker and Boots line up suitors while WH Smith starts Christmas shopping. In TECH NEWS, it’s a mixed bag for Meta, Alphabet, Twitter and Spotify. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Mercedes prioritises top-end, Ford posts a Q1 loss, Renault looks to sell its Russia business, Deutsche Bank sees a new high in profits and Lloyds Bank does OK.AND FINALLY, I bring you a crowd that isn’t and a drum solo on rubber chickens…
In MARKETS & SANCTIONS NEWS, Wall Street falls while Poland and Bulgaria get cut off. In AUTOMOTIVE NEWS, Tesla tanks, Ford rushes out the Lightning and Volvo buys into Carwow. In CONSUMER/RETAIL NEWS, household bills look set to rise by £271, equity release surges, grad salaries get punchy, consumers stockpile, Lidl offers a finder’s fee and Primark aims to raise prices. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Maersk warns, Heathrow is downbeat, Microsoft’s earnings boom but Google’s shares slide while Bezos warns of China influence on Twitter.AND FINALLY, I bring you the five stages of Costco shopping…
In MARKETS, MACRO & CRYPTO NEWS, global stocks tumble on China Covid concerns, EU-UK trading relationships change and crypto goes meh. In CONSUMER/RETAIL NEWS, Coca-Cola fizzes, palm oil products get more expensive and Asda gets involved in price cuts. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Twitter accepts Musk’s offer, corporates and investors clash with new proposals and global auditors say one thing and do another re Russia.AND FINALLY, I bring you Jubilee sauces and the world’s longest waterslide…
In MACROECONOMIC NEWS, Macron wins, Putin abandons Ukraine deal and Britain’s Russia sanctions cost. In CONSUMER, LEISURE & RETAIL-RELATED NEWS, we look at employment trends, leisure trends and retail trends. In INVESTMENT NEWS, Blackstone goes for it in real estate, Elliott provides a SPAC-boost and emerging markets give cause to think. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Twitter considers Musk’s offer, Netflix faces further challenges and the UK cracks down on CBD.AND FINALLY, I bring you a new way of eating toast…
In TECH & STREAMING NEWS, an imminent new law is about to hit Big Tech, Musk ups the stakes for Twitter, Netflix ponders its future and CNN+ gets cancelled. In CONSUMER NEWS, UK consumer confidence drops and investment loses momentum but Hays reckons the job market will boom and the travel industry is confident for next year. In MACRO & COMMODITIES NEWS, governor Bailey eats humble pie and metal prices look set to rise. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Nestlé does nicely, Amazon relents and JBS has shocking emissions.AND FINALLY, I bring you a weekend idea if you like dressing up…
In MACRO, ENERGY & EMPLOYMENT NEWS, Germany’s producer prices soar, we look at why Germany can’t just turn its nukes back on and the UK faces the prospects of strikes on the railways – and at GSK. In CONSUMER TRENDS & RETAIL NEWS, we look at the prospects for energy bills as well as what we spend our money on (beer, staples and Tesla cars) and what we are spending less money on (Netflix and takeaways) while Gove stops the M&S rebuild. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Credit Suisse has a tough Q1 and Musk makes more Twitter hints. AND FINALLY, I bring you some vital life-enhancing news – how to make the perfect crisp sandwich…
In MACRO, OIL & ENERGY NEWS, the IMF gets downbeat, China unveils support measures, Gunvor celebrates and Rolls-Royce is hopeful. In SANCTIONS & CONSEQUENCES, Putin orders delisting, Stellantis winds down Russian operations and fertiliser costs hit harvests. In CONSUMER & RETAIL-RELATED NEWS, consumers face “truly horrific” autumn for bills, tyre prices rise, a train fare initiative falls flat, Netflix has a nightmare and Shein has a Zara bust-up. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Blackstone hoovers up US student accommodation, LG Energy buys an EV supply chain and Robinhood buys UK crypto group Ziglu.AND FINALLY, I bring you a boxing dog…
In MACROECONOMIC NEWS, China feels the effect of lockdowns and the UK heads towards recession. In M&A NEWS, Twitter gets interesting, Asda’s buyers make a ton and SPACs hit legal challenges. In CONSUMER & RETAIL-RELATED NEWS, potential surge pricing could prove problematic, families face wages squeeze, streaming subscriptions fall, retailers plan to raise prices and gyms target retail space. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, South American farmers try to ease the shortfall, Rivian complains about the EV battery shortage and Bank of America has a positive revenue outlook.AND FINALLY, I bring you something interesting on battery tech and a Paul Potts moment…
In MACRO, GAS & SUPPLY CHAIN NEWS, Finland considers NATO membership, US factory gate prices rise, Canada and New Zealand raise interest rates, the UK sees another inflation hike, Germany has gas issues and Shanghai continues to cause problems. In CONSUMER, RETAIL & REAL ESTATE NEWS, heating and seafood costs rise, Tesco tries to keep a lid on prices and UK real estate keeps chugging along. In TECH NEWS, TikTok enjoys a great run, investors sue Musk over Twitter and Darktrace stock falls. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, JP Morgan is hit by the Russia/Ukraine war, GSK buys Sierra and Starbucks’ boss tries to discourage unionisation.AND FINALLY, I bring you Aldi’s outrageous controversy…
In MACRO, SHANGHAI & ENERGY NEWS, the WTO downgrades world growth forecasts, US inflation hits a 40-year high, Shanghai repercussions continue, the knives are out for Scottie, wind turbine energy and hydrogen get boosts while SMRs look expensive. In EMPLOYMENT & CONSUMER-RELATED NEWS, unemployment falls, wages fail to keep up with inflation, BA and restaurants offer employee incentives, high petrol prices persist, Deliveroo slows but Pret accelerates. In CAR-RELATED NEWS, Honda keeps hybrid going, GM sources cobalt and Renault considers Lotus. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, digital ad revenues rise, Deutsche Bank gets sold off and and Dubai IPO lifts off.AND FINALLY, I bring you an unusually-themed café…
In MACRO & SANCTIONS NEWS, Shanghai challenges continue, the UK economy stalls as consumer confidence falls while SocGen and Ericsson move to exit Russia. In TECH NEWS, China approves online games, TikTok smashes it on ads, Epic Games gets $2bn from Sony and Lego, Apple faces another antitrust suit and the Elon/Twitter thing rumbles on. In CONSUMER TRENDS & RETAIL NEWS, warehousing powers through, Tortilla sees record sales and M&S lowers prices. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Thoma Bravo buys into cybersecurity, GoTo shares rocket and Cornish Lithium gets an experienced hand.AND FINALLY, I bring you another interesting optical illusion…
In MACRO, SANCTIONS & CONSEQUENCES NEWS, it’s Macron vs Le Pen, an Aussie election is announced and Ukraine appeals to oil traders while Russian consumers suffer, US bank deals dry up and a cardboard crisis looms. In CONSUMER & RETAIL NEWS, the UK job market grows, staycations divide, Walgreens might have to offload Boots at a discount and we look at why Asos has fallen out of favour. In REAL ESTATE NEWS, UK landlords buy again and London prices rise. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Shanghai’s lockdown bites, Elon gets fidgety with Twitter and Amazon workers union up.AND FINALLY, I bring you a photo illusion that will definitely mess with your head…
In OIL, ENERGY & TRADING NEWS, Shell counts the Russia cost, Cambo gets the go-ahead, the UK tries to help with EU gas, BoJo’s green drive has a mixed reception, Shanghai’s backlog hits supply chains and UK businesses. In EMPLOYMENT & CONSUMER NEWS, starting salaries rise, unions get antsy and UK house prices hit record highs. In RETAIL NEWS, Walmart tempts drivers with big pay, the Co-op has problems and Primark does more with its website. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, a Vietnamese carmaker files for a US IPO, UK EV plans looks punchy and the pre-paid funeral business is going to have an almighty shake-out.AND FINALLY, I thought I’d bring you a naughty canine driver…
In SANCTIONS, CONSEQUENCES & COVID NEWS, the US imposes “severe” sanctions, Russia retaliates, global trade continues to suffer the effects of war and VTB UK is on the verge of administration while Shanghai’s Covid problems could have global repercussions. In ENERGY NEWS, BoJo aims for a massive boost in offshore wind power and electricity heads for renationalisation. In CAR NEWS, VW wants to concentrate on premium models while Lookers predicts ongoing strength in used. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Meta works on new coins, Amazon hits challenges, UK consumers get pushed into 35-year mortgages and Gymshark restructures.AND FINALLY, I thought I’d bring you the ultimate gift idea for the lazy b***ard in your life 🤣
In BIG PICTURE NEWS, we see an “inflationary era”, Russia’s biz activity slump, the possibility of US recession, an agreement on hypersonic weapons, the consequences of China’s ailing agriculture, difficulties facing British agriculture and the spectre of Le Pen. In ELECTRIC VEHICLE NEWS, GM and Honda team up for “affordable” EVs, Nio tries to spread the word of swappable batteries and Britons buy tons of EVs. In TECH NEWS, Amazon signs satellite deals, Twitter offers Elon a seat and the Chinese owner of Newport Wafer Fab has a bumpy ride. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Uber broadens its offering and Shein gets a spectacular valuation.AND FINALLY, I thought I’d bring you an 80’s song, sung by a 90’s band, with noughties actors, made in the 2010’s, watched by the people in the 2020’s…
In MACRO, ENERGY & CRYPTO NEWS, Turkey’s inflation goes crazy, deeper sanctions against Russia are called for while Germany and supermarkets make adjustments, Oxford makes a nuclear fusion breakthrough and there are UK crypto developments. In CONSUMER, LEISURE & RETAIL NEWS, US shoppers cut back, cooking oil prices rise, travel chaos hits while Ted Baker puts itself up for sale, Morrisons takes hits and M&S announces the launch of resale. In M&A NEWS, Elon buys into Twitter and AMD buys Pensando. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Polestar sells 65,000 cars to Hertz and the old/new Starbucks chief ploughs money back to baristas.AND FINALLY, I thought I’d bring you a bit of impressive nostalgia…
In SANCTIONS & CONSEQUENCES, the EU considers more sanctions, Lithuania ends Russian gas imports, Europeans reconsider neutrality and farmers face big pressure. In CONSUMER & EMPLOYMENT NEWS, household finances continue to get squeezed by energy and milk while consumer confidence erodes. Amazon gets unionised, UK companies trial a four-day week and demand for visas from City firms rises. In ELECTRIC VEHICLE NEWS, battery material prices complicate EV pricing while Tesla deliveries rise. In MISCELLANOUS NEWS, we see a news boom and Lush investing in UK stores.AND FINALLY, I bring you a naughty cat…
In MACRO, ENERGY & COMMODITIES NEWS, Putin gets feisty about gas payments, the US releases oil reserves, Cuadrilla gets the go-ahead, Australia makes a lithium breakthrough and Macron loses his edge. In CONSUMER & RETAIL TRENDS, more UK firms aim to raise prices while house, energy and grocery prices all increase, job ads fade but Ryanair talks a good game as H&M sees momentum slow and Boots’ sales do well. In M&A NEWS, Toshiba gets a Bain boost, RBC buys Brewin Dolphin and Yandex wants to offload its UK business. In MISCELLANOUS NEWS, Shanghai extends lockdown, Trainline gets a lifeline and P&O wins.AND FINALLY, I bring you some April Fools’ prank ideas…
In MACRO & ENERGY NEWS, Beijing cosies up with Moscow, inflation in Germany hits a 40-year high, Germany and Austria talk gas rationing, Shell gets a Cambo extension and BoJo blows colder on wind power. In CONSUMER & RETAIL NEWS, homeowners face mortgage rises, Tui repays state aid and retailers sue Visa and Mastercard. In EMPLOYMENT NEWS, MAN furloughs 11,000 staff in Russia and the P&O thing confounds Shapps. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Huawei is in a sticky spot, AerCap makes a massive claim, S4 craters and Apollo walks away from Pearson.AND FINALLY, I answer the question – is it cheaper to have a shower or a bath…
In MACRO & ENERGY NEWS, we look at developments in China, Taiwan, Australia and Spain while the EU wrestles with gas problems, SSE makes money and the government continues to push for solar. In CONSUMER & RETAIL NEWS, US pay rises continue but brand loyalty falters, UK consumers face higher house prices, food prices and credit card debt while Mulberry does well and Decathlon shuts down in Russia. In EV NEWS, lithium shortages impact prices while Lotus unveils a new electric SUV. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Big Four accountants have Chinese problems, Avalon warns of big losses, P&O refuses Shapps’ appeals and Sony aims to take on Game Pass.AND FINALLY, I bring you a way to relax…
In BIG PICTURE NEWS, China’s having Covid problems, the US gets an early warning of recession, the UK faces energy choices and LNG supply may face delays. In CONSUMER & RETAIL NEWS, the Bank of England warns of hits to income, staycationers power Brighton Pier and bike sales fall while Asda takes on Waitrose and Walmart stops selling cigarettes. In SANCTION CONSEQUENCES, Egypt is having a nightmare and Carlsberg/Heineken are facing difficulties. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Huwawei sees weaker sales but higher profits, the P&O drama continues and the government sells down in NatWest.AND FINALLY, I bring you a major change to HP sauce and grandads using Alexa for the first time…
In BIG PICTURE NEWS, trouble looms in the Pacific and Biden ruffles feathers while BoJo’s energy plans hit resistance, Macquarie buys into the UK gas network and solar/wind costs rise. In EMPLOYMENT NEWS, Grant Shapps agitates for P&O change, Amazon drivers raise alarm, Sainsbury’s faces pressure to raise wages and Starbucks aims to expand in the UK. In PRICE TREND NEWS, beer and clothes prices look set to rise. AND FINALLY, I bring you the amazing 3D billboard again…
In MACRO, MARKETS & CRYPTO NEWS, the US agrees to supply more LNG, a tussle emerges between Sunak and BoJo, Moex reopens and the Bank of England talks tough on crypto. In SANCTIONS & CONSEQUENCES NEWS, the UK puts more sanctions on Russia while the WTO warns of food riots, various companies reconsider their Russia ties and Lloyds of London considers its war exposure. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Uber gets a New York boost while things get heated with P&O. AND FINALLY, I bring you a mash-up of two classics…
In MACRO, ENERGY & MARKETS NEWS, we take a look at the Spring Statement, Biden’s bid to unite Europe, Scholz’s tricky position, BoJo on windfarms, Russia’s market opening again and how Ukraine will affect thinking on China and Japan’s relations with Russia. In EV NEWS, BP pours money into chargers and the SMMT says Britain is behind on EVs but Americans are warming to the EV life. In COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE NEWS, GLP hunts for warehouses and Big Tech continues to fire physical expansion. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Tencent’s revenue growth takes a knock and Saga relies on cruisin’.AND FINALLY, I show you how your coffee choices reflect your personality…
In MACRO & OIL NEWS, Biden cuts Trump tariffs, Sunak gears up for his Spring Statement, Russia chokes off oil and we look at the consequences. In AUTOMOTIVE NEWS, Musk opens his German gigafactory, auto loans face more challenges and Nvidia targets the industry. In FINANCIALS NEWS, NatWest does BNPL and ESG investing gets more criticism. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Alibaba ups its share buy back plans, Toss takes on Grab and Kingfisher banks on more DIY. AND FINALLY, I show you how to make something my mum makes…
In MACRO, OIL & ENERGY NEWS, Jay Powell signals more aggressive interest rate moves, the oil price rises again and the UK makes energy moves while the cost of street-charging an EV reaches a new high. In NEWS ON SANCTION CONSEQUENCES, food shortages loom, Evraz suffers, plane insurance claims look imminent and Moscow’s biggest airport furloughs staff. In M&A NEWS, Berkshire Hathaway offers $12bn for Alleghany, Thoma Bravo buys Anaplan for $10.7bn and Prologis eyes Blackstone’s warehouse portfolio. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Evergrande shares are suspended, digital advertising changes will have definite winners and losers while chipmakers face difficulties. AND FINALLY, I bring you a rather unusual house…
In OIL & ENERGY NEWS, Saudi Aramco plans to increase oil production, Germany secures alternative gas supplies, BoJo goes nuclear and looks to the North Sea while pubs and M&S suffer with higher utility bills. In CONSUMER-RELATED NEWS, Brazil embraces online gambling and the average UK house price reaches a new high while cheap milk and meals get harder to come by. In EMPLOYMENT-RELATED NEWS, ESG candidates are in massive demand, seniors return to the workplace and insurers feel unease about the P&O thing. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Facebook is hit by a new lawsuit, alt meat still has a future and the owner of Butlin’s eyes Parkdean. AND FINALLY, I bring you something that you might not have been aware of…
In MACRO & COMMODITIES NEWS, the Bank of England raises the interest rate, BoJo faces energy conundrums, nickel weakens and Russia appears to settle is bond payments. In CONSUMER/TRENDS/RETAIL NEWS, Russians face difficulties, Japanese wages rise, Deliveroo wavers and Trainline savours changing consumer behaviour while H&M broadens its offering, Getir gets a stellar valuation, Ocado suffers and TM Lewin calls in the administrators (again). In FINANCIALS NEWS, Ping An takes a profit hit, HSBC goes meta and Raiffeisen reconsiders Russia. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Japan has a major earthquake, Apple faces potential European challenges and P&O does the dirty. AND FINALLY, I bring you a “mum hack”…
In BIG PICTURE NEWS, we look at the latest developments in Ukraine/Russia, Russia’s approach to default, Putin’s promises, China’s intervention, the US interest rate rise and nightmare in commodities. In RETAIL/HIGH STREET NEWS, US retail sales rise, Walmart wants more staff, Schultz returns to lead Starbucks and the UK high street evolves. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, insurers brace themselves for Ukraine/Russia-related claims, EQT eyes a Barings deal and Linktree goes unicorn. AND FINALLY, I bring you a debate on how to say “cucumber” and dog karaoke…
In ACTIONS & CONSEQUENCES, we consider more actions, sanctions and their consequences on Tesla, energy and agriculture. In TECH NEWS, Intel goes large in Europe, Indonesia’s GoTo aims to raise $1.3bn and Arm is to shed employees. In CONSUMER/RETAIL NEWS, US punters can’t get enough of flying while in the UK, employment returns to pre-Covid levels and it’s sofa so good for DFS (sorry, I couldn’t resist that). AND FINALLY, I bring you some Starbucks hacks…
In MACRO, MARKETS & ENERGY NEWS, we look at US/China/Russia thoughts, the effect on markets and how energy policies are having to adapt. In ACTIONS & CONSEQUENCES, Bayer considers cutting off crop supplies to Russia and Germany orders US fighter jets while Russia edges closer to default, aircraft leasing gets trickier and Akzo Nobel faces Russian shutdown. In CONSUMER NEWS, potato prices are set to rise, Uber hikes its prices but travel restrictions are lifted, super-rich have a super-fun time and the UK inflation basket evolves.AND FINALLY, it’s Pomplamoose time…
In MACRO, MARKETS & CRYPTO NEWS, the US is to hold talks with China about Ukraine, the Bank of England edges towards a rate rise, Chinese stocks fall on lockdown, Moscow’s exchange stays shut, El Salvador prepares Bitcoin bond launch and NFTs hit the skids. In ACTIONS & CONSEQUENCES, we see more sanctions against Russia and their effects. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, we see that chip makers stockpiled materials, M&S welcomes Early Learning Centre and tenants face higher bills. AND FINALLY, I bring you some clever signage…
In ACTIONS & CONSEQUENCES, the exodus continues and Abramovich gets caught up but Putin strikes back with more threats while Russia faces debt default and a nightmare for Aeroflot. In CONSUMER & RETAIL NEWS, food inflation continues, Netflix raises subscription prices, M&S’s chief is to step down and the bonus returns for John Lewis staff. In AUTOMOTIVE NEWS, BMW announces its best ever profits but Rivian has supply chain problems. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, US inflation hits new highs, the SEC starts to crack down on Chinese companies and jet leasing faces a massive nightmare. AND FINALLY, I bring you a Cadbury’s Creme Egg warning…
In BIG PICTURE NEWS, Russia bombs a hospital, markets rally, nickel faces further suspension, fracking is back on the table and crypto gets a boost. In ACTIONS & CONSEQUENCES, we see who’s pulled out and who’s still in and consequences for aviation and Chinese smartphones. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Stagecoach ditches National Express’s offer and ESG investment looks likely to change. AND FINALLY, I bring you the cheesiest ad ever and a questionable supermarket shopping “hack”…
In MACRO & COMMODITIES NEWS, we look at whether Taiwan could be the next Ukraine, the US and UK bans oil from Russia, Shell stops buying Russian oil and we consider what may ensue while talks start with Maduro, nickel goes crazy and food inflation looms. In ACTIONS & CONSEQUENCES, McDonald’s makes a McExit and luxury firms leave while Russian banks, payments and exports take a hit as China looks like it’ll be hoovering up. In M&A NEWS, Orange and MasMovil consider forming a Spanish giant and Google buys Mondiant. AND FINALLY, I bring you the cutest thing ever…
In MARKETS & COMMODITIES NEWS, the Rouble’s collapse continues, markets baulk at a Russian oil ban while everyone looks for alternatives and gold gets squeezed higher. In ACTIONS & CONSEQUENCES, more big firms abandon Russia and the consequences of sanctions continue to be far-reaching. In CONSUMER TRENDS NEWS, spending rises, house prices continue to strengthen but many elect to spend to extend. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Toyota cheats, Uber raises guidance and SMRs get a major boost. AND FINALLY, I bring you an impressive food shop…
In MACRO & OIL NEWS, China aims low on growth, appeals are made for China as mediator, crude oil goes higher as the US talks to Venezuela and Total sticks with its Russian assets. In ACTIONS & CONSEQUENCES, UK lawyers, Visa, Mastercard and Amex withdraw from Russia, Moscow pivots to the Chinese card system and Next heads for the exit. Meanwhile, a food crisis looms, there’s a shortage of building materials, Russian airlines are decimated, VTB prepares to pull out and private schools could lose out. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, TikTok is exposed, prospects improve for UK M&A and the FCA warns about crypto being used for money laundering. AND FINALLY, I bring you the secret to fluffy towels…
In CURRENT ACTIONS, we look at Putin’s latest move, all of the companies abandoning Russia and Lukoil breaking ranks. In POSSIBLE ACTIONS, we look at how a potential ban on Russian oil and gas might look and Bitcoin’s role in aiding oligarchs. In CONSEQUENCES, the Russian market’s going to be ugly when it reopens, write-downs on Russian exit will be big and we look at the impact the war is having on the cost of living and the London property market. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Kroger’s earnings grow, Darktrace sees strong demand and ITV shares crater. AND FINALLY, I bring you the adventures of my favourite golden retriever…
In MACRO & OIL NEWS, US interest rates still look like they’ll go up, Eurozone inflation hits a record high, the Russian economy faces difficulties and oil hits record highs. In NEWS ON ACTIONS & CONSEQUENCES, we see actions being taken and being considered regarding Ukraine and consequences of existing sanctions. In CONSUMER/RETAIL NEWS, Australia’s consumer spending recovers, but UK consumers face booming house prices and petrol prices but Uber caps fare increases while Amazon closes shops. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Australian floods give insurers headaches, Ford aims for an electrified future and Netflix buys NextGames. AND FINALLY, I bring you the story behind Bluetooth…
In MACRO NEWS, China decides to get involved and Italy’s economy rebounds. In ACTIONS, SANCTIONS & CONSEQUENCES NEWS, we look at ACTIONS where oil reserves have been released and Moscow bans investor exits, SANCTIONS, where shippers block Russian cargo, Apple stops shipments to Russia and YouTube blocks media while Total and Exxon consider exits, and CONSEQUENCES, where we see the effect of sanctions on Russian citizens, Nord Stream 2’s owner, oligarchs at home and abroad, Russian banks, Bitcoin and the defence sector. In RETAIL NEWS, Target delivers, Sainsbury’s announces a shake-up, Lidl wins and the Boots sale withers. AND FINALLY, I bring you some pancake lessons…
In NEWS ON MARKETS, SANCTIONS & CONSEQUENCES, markets had a rollercoaster ride, more sanctions were imposed and consequences ensued. In CONSUMER-RELATED NEWS, UK train fares rise from today, petrol prices hit new highs, ABF says more food price increases are in the offing and first-time buyers get a boost. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Zoom slows and Klarna counts the cost. AND FINALLY, I bring you a man who gets pleasure from a vacuum cleaner…
In MACRO NEWS, Putin puts nukes on high alert, China continues with pro-Russia neutrality stance and the prospect of global recovery fades. In NEWS ON SANCTIONS, CONSEQUENCES & RESPONSE, Russian interests in the air, sea and land face challenges while Germany ups spending on gas and Sunak faces appeals to lessen the blow of sanctions. In FINANCIALS NEWS, India gears up for a mega-insurance flotation and UK insurers brace themselves for a payout increase. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Big Tech faces pressure over its Ukraine stance and the UK high street stages a recovery. AND FINALLY, I bring you a bit of soothing music…
In MACRO NEWS, we look at the consequences of Putin’s actions in sanctions and overall impact and Turkey’s Erdogan feels the heat. In CONSUMER-RELATED NEWS, American consumers seek out experiences, UK consumer confidence is dented, St James’s Place sees slowing growth, energy bills ain’t looking good and we’re all having a beer. In FINANCIALS NEWS, Coinbase’s profits boom but Lloyds Bank takes flak. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Moderna sees an end to the pandemic, WPP continues to recover but Rolls-Royce takes a blow. AND FINALLY, I bring you the cutest thing ever – a dog ordering a pizza…
In MACRO NEWS, Russia invades Ukraine and BoE governor makes more stupid comments. In CAR NEWS, Stellantis makes a ton, Mini has to cut production and Aston Martin gets more optimistic. In FINANCIALS NEWS, Barclays coins it in while Peel Hunt bemoans a deal slowdown. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Heathrow hopes for more, giant batteries come to the rescue and Ikea opens in a city centre shopping mall. AND FINALLY, I bring you something that all parents of young kids can identify with…
In MACRO NEWS, the Ukraine situation heats up and has big consequences. In CAR-RELATED NEWS, Porsche is being lined up for an IPO and Tesla reverts to old tech. In TECH NEWS, Meta pushes Reels and Chinese edu-tech company New Oriental gets hammered. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, IHG heralds a bounceback, employers face higher legal costs and there’s a massive scandal at Peloton. AND FINALLY, I bring you an amazing Japanese artist…
In MACRO & OIL NEWS, Putin orders troops into Ukraine, Russian stocks fall, European and UK business activity increase, BoJo lifts Covid legal restrictions, expectations increase for another interest rate rise while oil and petrol prices increase. In TRANSPORT/LOGISTICS-RELATED NEWS, Virgin Hyperloop changes track and both John Menzies and Clipper accept foreign bids. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, a City “Big Bang” is promised, AstraZeneca makes a major advance, Klarna launches a reward programme and Truth Social has a bumpy start. AND FINALLY, I bring you the tribulations of a naked chef…
In MACRO & OIL NEWS, Biden and Putin set up a summit, oil prices whipsaw and Big Oil pays. In CONSUMER/REAL ESTATE NEWS, BoJo is to ditch Covid restrictions, high energy prices have unexpected consequences, residential property asking prices rise and Canary Wharf offers new terms. In CAR-RELATED NEWS, China’s driverless ambitions drag, Lotus aims for an IPO and UK dealerships want to hang onto furlough cash. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Apple has mixed news and PrimaryBid gets a boost. AND FINALLY, I bring you “the most famous physical therapists on the internet”…
In MACRO & CRYPTO NEWS, Biden warns of imminent invasion and we look at which Russian companies could suffer while the IMF rues lost growth, the ECB’s chief economist shifts position and Sequoia allocates to crypto. In CONSUMER TRENDS/CHALLENGES NEWS, American consumers are primed to spend, the travel uptick lifts Airbus and Australian tourism hopes and shoppers buy Gucci while workers return to offices but look for other jobs and challenges include rising prices on the general shop, Nestle and Reckitt signalling the same and a potentially nasty surprise for EV owners. In RETAIL-RELATED NEWS, Amazon makes up with Visa, Ocado expands its deal with Casino and Walmart puts in a good performance. AND FINALLY, I bring you sausage whack-a-mole for dogs…
In MACRO & CRYPTO NEWS, France weighs in on Russia, China thinks about Russia, there’s more evidence that US interest rates will rise, the UK’s rate of inflation continues to rise and crypto causes more kerfuffles. In PROPERTY & CONSUMERS TRENDS NEWS, UK rents rise, lenders pull more cheap mortgages and we see what consumers are facing and what they are spending money on. In TECH-RELATED NEWS, Ericsson admits bribery and Google cuts ad-tracking. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Hyatt sees a surge in business event bookings and Rolls-Royce seeks SMR sites. AND FINALLY, I bring you an unusual collab with very weird results…
In MACRO & OIL NEWS, Putin continues dialogue so stocks rise and oil eases while shale producers are tempted and US producer prices rise, the Eurozone suffers from rising energy costs and Japan’s economy grows. In CAR-RELATED NEWS, average used car costs hit £20k, the car industry calls for a charging point plan, Britishvolt attracts yet more money and Luxshare moves into cars. In CONSUMER-RELATED NEWS, Airbnb reckons inflation will spark more hosts and “real” wages in the UK are actually better than they were pre-Covid. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, the UK is ready to demand more from Big Tech while BHP announces a massive dividend. AND FINALLY, I show you why it pays to know your plants…
In MARKETS & CRYPTO NEWS, global markets wobble and crypto assets come under focus. In CONSUMER-RELATED NEWS, petrol prices rise, commuting looks cheaper (although London’s going to put through big price rises), BNPL players are forced to make changes and the chicken industry faces bird ‘flu. In AVIATION NEWS, Wizz Air wants to go transatlantic and Rolls-Royce works on electric planes. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Facebook runs into Texas problems, SPACs fade and Peloton may not get sold after all. AND FINALLY, I bring you some expensive Valentine’s morsels from yesterday…
In MACRO, COMMODITIES & NFT NEWS, Scholz is set to warn Putin, a Ukraine airline grounds its fleet, tension pushes the oil price up, Lithuania tests EU resolve vs China, commodity prices rise and HMRC steps in on NFTs. In BUSINESS & EMPLOYMENT TRENDS, cybersecurity rises in priority, employers aim for 3% pay rises but older employees leave. In SUPPLY CHAIN NEWS, printers warn on paper shortages and Nike’s issues hit shops. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Waitrose boosts John Lewis, Rolls-Royce develops zero-emission hydrogen engines and Fluttr launches on Valentine’s Day. AND FINALLY, I bring you two amazing performances involving noodles and music…
In MACRO, OIL & GAS NEWS, US inflation hit its highest level for 40 years, global inflation hits hard, Brussels cuts European growth forecasts, the UK aims to reform Solvency II legislation, Total announces a buyback and UK faces gas issues. In CAR-RELATED NEWS, Aston and Britishvolt talk, EVs might power the grid and Cazoo raises money. In RETAIL/LEISURE NEWS, Jollibee wants to expand, UK shops and restaurants welcome more customers and posh watches sell well. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Delivery Hero’s shares fall, Binance buys into Forbes and the Peloton drama heats up. AND FINALLY, I bring you some interesting things to do with your KFC and a Gizmo lookalike…
In MACRO & ENERGY/OIL-RELATED NEWS, we look at how sanctions against Russia could hurt Europe, BoJo goes brave/stupid, the UK oil regulator is against a windfall tax and there was a major step forward in nuclear fusion. In UK REAL ESTATE & CONSUMER TRENDS NEWS, the housing boom reflects a north-south divide, Barratt booms, lenders withdraw super-cheap mortgages, L’Oréal blooms, car insurance premiums rise, Disney+ subscribers approach 130m and Uber’s revenue jumps. In SUPPLY CHAIN NEWS, Maersk sees light at the end of the tunnel but companies face challenges right now. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Amazon gets classed as a supermarket, Bosch tries reskilling and Arm faces an expensive problem. AND FINALLY, I bring you canine yoga…
In COMMODITIES NEWS, BP rejects windfall tax suggestions, US shale producers face temptation and aluminium prices hit new highs. In TECH NEWS, Arm/Nvidia fails while Apple priorities and announces a new service. In CONSUMER/PRICE TRENDS NEWS, there’s more gloom on the cost of living, residential rents climb while Joules, Lyft and Chipotle up prices. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Peloton’s CEO steps down, we look at the rise and fall of formerly “hot” consumer goods, Ocado loses all of its gains and Tui has high hopes. AND FINALLY, I bring you a popular dog artist…
In MACRO NEWS, the US/Germany present an un-united front, Lagarde goes soft and Bitcoin strengthens. In CONSUMER & PRICE TRENDS NEWS, the cost of living hits spending, house prices increase (but at a slower rate), used EVs sell like hot cakes, we look at how supermarkets are keeping a lid on prices, German businesses foresee price rises and Tyson does OK despite meats getting more expensive. In AVIATION NEWS, US budget airlines Frontier and Spirit get together while Tata takes over a troubled Air India. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Google is sued by PriceRunner. AND FINALLY, I bring you a dog that looks like Will Ferrell…
In CONSUMER NEWS, we look at challenges facing UK consumers, the appeal of a four-day week and Chanel handbag trends. In TECH NEWS, AstraZeneca announces record annual revenues and a number of vaccine winners face a more realistic future. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, crypto assets see an outflow, Renishaw assumes further chip shortages, Peloton garners interest and Clifford Chance wants to reduce its Canary Wharf footprint. AND FINALLY, I bring you a naughty parrot…
In MACRO & OIL NEWS, the Bank of England increases the interest rate as Sunak attacks fuel bills and markets bet on more rate rises, the ECB expresses concern about inflation but does nothing, Turkey’s inflation spins out of control and US oil frackers see an end to the boom. In TECH NEWS, Facebook/Meta collapses, Snap announces its first profit, Amazon ups prices and benefits from Rivian while Nintendo faces a familiar problem and Infineon looks forward to year 2 of the chip shortage. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, KPMG gets a hefty fine, UK retailers face a shaky start to 2022 and Compass recovers. AND FINALLY, I bring you some unique memorabilia…
In MACRO NEWS, Eurozone inflation hits a record high, the Treasury and Bank of England are set to work in concert as lenders pull mortgages, Gove unveils levelling up plan and UK national security legislation limits options. In CONSUMER TRENDS NEWS, US consumers move from goods to services and PayPal has a shocker. In AUTOMOTIVE-RELATED NEWS, Ferrari zooms ahead while Britishvolt and Glencore aim to recycle lithium ion batteries. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Meta faces challenges, Spotify sees user numbers rise and Sony heads in an interesting direction. AND FINALLY, I bring you a bit of music…
In MACRO & OIL NEWS, the market bets on ECB rate rises, UK inflation is powered by snacks and Exxon rides high. In CONSUMER & RETAIL NEWS, the US job market stays tight while consumer confidence wanes and in the UK, house prices have a strong start to 2022 and get powered by the chase for 10-year mortgages while demand is expected to slow, Amazon employs tons of workers, M&S and Aldi reach a truce, Tesco cuts the night shift and Joules has a shocker. In AUTOMOTIVE NEWS, Tesla has bad news, GM powers through and Aston Martin commits to a more electric future. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Google booms on advertising and Starbucks sees higher sales. AND FINALLY, I bring you some interesting Facebook news and possibly one of the most beautiful Starbucks you’ll ever see…
In MARKETS & MACRO NEWS, the S&P and NASDAQ have a tough month, Eurozone growth falls, German and Spanish inflation stays high, markets expect a UK interest rate rise and the BoJo party debacle continues. In CONSUMER/RETAILER NEWS, food and drink prices are set to rise, some face a stark choice of eat or heat, French supermarket Casino has a profit warning and Tesco gives up on Jack’s. In M&A NEWS, Citrix is snapped up for $16.5bn, Sony buys Bungie for $3.6bn, Constellation buys into Lookers and the New York Times buys Wordle. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, the Rogan thing highlights issues for Spotify and Hipgnosis, streamer danger lurks and Ryanair hits turbulence. AND FINALLY, I bring you one hell of a prank…