In MEDIA & LEISURE NEWS, UK broadcasting rules get a massive overhaul, Disney ditches the metaverse and William Hill gets a big fine. In TECH NEWS, Apple launches BNPL in the US, Twitter changes the rules, chipmakers face a dilemma and we look at which jobs are most exposed to AI. In RETAIL NEWS, Alibaba is to split into six, Ocado surprises on the upside, UK supermarkets face squeezed margins and Next buys Cath Kidston. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, French banks get raided, the BoE talks about banks holding more cash, FTX’s SBF is charge with bribery, Brussels’ dithering puts UK’s 2030 deadline in doubt, EV start-up Lucid cuts 18% of the workforce and Lyft judders. AND FINALLY, I bring you an official list of the best pizza toppings…
In MACRO NEWS, Russia and China retaliate against the West, Hungary gets behind Finland’s NATO application, Netanyahu delays judicial reforms, Binance is threatened with a trading ban and the Treasury shelves plans for an NFT. In TECH NEWS, the US edges closer to a TikTok ban, Twitter looks optimistic and we look deeper into the impact of AI while Google’s answer to ChatGPT disappoints. In BANKING NEWS, First Citizens buys most of SVB while money gets pulled from European banks – fast. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, UK retailers get more optimistic, consumers face higher food prices, wages in Japan look up, Iger outlines a plan for cuts and Air India puts in a massive order for planes.AND FINALLY, I bring you a cat with a “Scouse” accent…
In MACRO NEWS, Putin plans nukes in Belarus and Russia adopts China’s renminbi. In BANKING NEWS, we look at the ongoing impact of the current banking crisis. In TECH NEWS, we look at the practicalities of banning TikTok in the US and why Chinese apps are so popular while Twitter has a source code leak and Musk offers stock options. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Northvolt aims to become Europe’s biggest battery maker, Britain’s battery plans look tricky, experts give their views on John Lewis and foreign buyers evaporate after a crackdown on “Londongrad”.AND FINALLY, I bring you something to while away a bit of time…
In MACRO NEWS, the Bank of England raises interest rates. In TECH NEWS, TikTok continues to fight, Beijing gets involved and Allen & Overy plugs AI. In FINANCIALS NEWS, Block gets hammered, Cenkos and FinnCap get together and Amigo Loans is a goner. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, UK consumer confidence improves, Ford expects electric losses, Evergrande strikes a deal, Accenture cuts tons of jobs, Wickes is positive and the London stock market loses ground.AND FINALLY, I bring you a salad hack and another illusion…
In MACRO NEWS, the US raises rates, UK inflation rises, Macron digs in and oil heads for $90. In FINANCIALS NEWS, Yellen’s remarks temper relief, the Credit Suisse/UBS story rolls on, PacWest gets cash and Coinbase gets a warning. In TECH NEWS, TikTok battles away, publishers wrestle with AI and Google’s Bard does it again. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Starbucks faces a China price war, Zurich legalises cannabis, Superdry does a South Korea deal, Ryanair’s chief warns of price rises, south west house prices take a hit, Fever-Tree fizzes and Indeed cuts 15% of its workforce.AND FINALLY, I bring you a new pasta sauce and how to make your phone go cold…
In MACRO, ENERGY & BITCOIN NEWS, we see the upshot of the Xi-Putin summit, Ukraine bagging a $15.6bn IMF loan, Rolls-Royce turning the screw as energy prices fall and bitcoin’s boom during banking’s bust. In BANKING NEWS, Yellen wades in on World Bank reform and First Bank support while UBS/Credit Suisse repercussions hit home and Jezza presses on with “Big Bang 2.0”. In AUTOMOTIVE NEWS, Brussels tries to appease on e-fuels, Ford launches a new EV, used EV prices drop and Maserati aims to emulate Porsche/Ferrari. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Google launches Bard, Just Eat lays off staff, GameStop booms, Nike’s sales jump, Netflix bets big, Kingfisher reflects a DIY decline and FTSE100 companies make more money in the US. AND FINALLY, I bring you the key to selling anything…
In MACRO & ENERGY NEWS, Xi Jinping meets Putin, Macron survives and a US firm offers mini-reactors. In BANKS NEWS, First Republic’s deal fails to satisfy and Credit Suisse repercussions echo. In CONSUMER & CONSUMER GOODS NEWS, UK house prices stay strong, Unilever does a bit of shrinkflation and Foot Locker paints a downbeat outlook. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Amazon ditches more staff, China pushes domestic chipmakers, VW has Russia issues, Starbucks new CEO makes a start and India opens to law firms. AND FINALLY, I bring you a well-executed wedding theme…
In MACRO & ENERGY NEWS, Xi Jinping visits Putin, Putin visits Mariupol, Macron faces big protests and Nucleo raises money to build small nuclear reactors in the UK. In BANKS NEWS, UBS rescues Credit Suisse, First Republic limps on and we look at the impact on central banks and small businesses. In TECH NEWS, there are appeals for more guidance on AI, TikTok continues to face an uphill struggle although its parent has CapCut in its back pocket and Twitter ads change. In RETAIL NEWS, John Lewis considers scrapping its partnership structure and M&S moves to lure John Lewis customers. AND FINALLY, I bring you an illusion and a very useful life hack…
In MACRO & COMMODITIES NEWS, the ECB raises rates, Macron aims to force through pension reforms, criticisms of Hunt’s Budget come through, Argentina looks forward and the palm oil dispute highlights differences. In FINANCIALS NEWS, First Republic gets rescued, Credit Suisse faces a tricky future and payments providers get scrutinised. In TECH NEWS, Microsoft mixes AI into its software suite, we look at ChatGPT-4 and how it would help the NHS, China’s AI bot fails to impress, TikTok continues to feel the pressure and is banned from government mobiles while Google Glass recedes again. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Deliveroo aims for profit, Rentokil booms and John Lewis scraps the bonus. AND FINALLY, I bring you an intriguing way of making money with AI…
In MACRO NEWS, we take a look at the budget and its winners and losers. In FINANCIALS NEWS, Credit Suisse causes a massive panic, Stripe raises money and Charles Schwab limps on. In TECH NEWS, the metaverse hits actual reality, the US threatens to ban TikTok, the UK invests in a “BritGPT”, Brussels looks to restrict imports of Chinese green tech and Zipline launches a short range delivery service. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Trainline finds a way, Inditex beats H&M and John Lewis gets a new CEO. AND FINALLY, I bring you the most ridiculous (yet practical) fascinator.
In MACRO NEWS, we look at who benefits from Aukus, US inflation slows, Argentina’s breaks 100% (!), Hunt is set to unveil the Budget and the UK is about to remove Malaysian palm oil import tariffs . In BUSINESS, EMPLOYMENT & CONSUMER TRENDS, we look at who’s hit the most by the cost-of-living crisis, company insolvencies, what’s happening with wages and mortgage approvals. In TECH NEWS, Zuckerberg lays off another 10,000, OpenAI unveils the upgraded ChatGPT, candidates use AI in applications and TikTok faces accusations. In FINANCIALS NEWS, US banks get downgraded as SVB repercussions persist, Credit Suisse’s woes continue, NatWest limits crypto payments and Binance suspends sterling transfers. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Saudi Arabia splashes out on Boeing jets, VW pours in the money to see off rivals and Celadon wins the right to sell medical cannabis in Britain. AND FINALLY, I bring you a warning and some things you didn’t know about Monopoly…
In SVB NEWS, we take another look at what happened over the weekend and the potential impact. In AUTOMOTIVE-RELATED NEWS, VW chooses Canada for its battery plant, Porsche gets a boost, Amazon and Rivian look to end exclusivity and Direct Line gets hit by car insurance claims. In TECH NEWS, the UK commits £2.5bn to quantum computing and Sunak hints at a TikTok ban. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, insurers face a “mega trial” over planes stuck in Russia, Pfizer announces a huge deal, Chick-fil-A wants to expand into Asia and Europe, John Lewis experiments and EY’s boss struggles with the vote. AND FINALLY, I bring you a kids’ toy and another optical illusion…
In MACRO NEWS, Xi Jinping and Rishi Sunak commit to military spending and Saudi Aramco posts record profits. In SCANDAL NEWS, we look at what went wrong with SVB and the subsequent impact. In TECH NEWS, Tim Cook has high hopes for Apple’s mixed-reality headset, metaverse applications have their ups and downs and Silver Lake goes for a massive takeover. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, China’s BYD avoids the UK, China moves to corner cobalt supply, UK business confidence rises and Fever-tree mixes it up. AND FINALLY, I bring you a very surprising optical illusion…
In MACRO NEWS, Biden talks big tax rises, US-Europe friction continues and the US imposes sanctions on Chinese companies. In TECH NEWS, Apple and Foxconn move closer to more India production, ASML’s ban hits Chinese companies and WANdisco falters. In CAR-RELATED NEWS, BMW pays out and China’s CATL reinforces its leading position in batteries. In BANKS NEWS, US investors dump bank shares and Credit Suisse’s nightmare continues. In RETAIL NEWS, Gap struggles to survive and Morrisons suffers while Asda and Morrisons relax buying limits. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, MGM China leads a Macau gambling recovery, Informa picks up, Page Group has another strong year and Domino’s benefits from the World Cup. AND FINALLY, I bring you an impressive Lego creation…
In MACRO, ENERGY & CRYPTO NEWS, Germany rejects the EU’s engine ban timetable, the UK looks likely to avoid recession but growth will be meh, Cornwall could be the key to a different power source and crypto bank Silvergate winds down. In EMPLOYMENT & CONSUMER-RELATED NEWS, Britain plans looser foreign worker rules, banks get told off for not passing on interest rate rises, first-time buyers see mortgage repayments boom and house prices fall. In TECH NEWS, TikTok continues to face a load of flak, the Netherlands restricts chip exports and AI gets a bad rap. In CAR NEWS, VW puts a battery plant on hold, Tesla steering wheels fall off, BMW gives Oxford reason to cheer and GM’s EV push stalls. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, EY delays its break-up vote, Adidas cuts its dividend, Spotify launches a new service and TRG announces closures. AND FINALLY, I bring you a bacon hack and an optical illusion…
In MACRO, COMMODITIES & ENERGY NEWS, Jay Powell talks bigger interest rate hikes and we look at the latest nickel news while National Grid fires up coal plants. In TECH NEWS, TikTok woes continue, Twitter faces more scrutiny, AI faces investor scepticism, South Korea pushes back on the Chips Act and Germany reviews security risks from Chinese 5G tech. In REAL ESTATE NEWS, we look at UK trends in residential and commercial property. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Greggs plans new stores, Dyson’s sales rise, HelloFresh’s revenues boom, Premier Foods is upbeat and In The Style has an epic fall from grace. AND FINALLY, I bring you some ice advice…
In MACRO & MARKETS NEWS, we look at US/China/Taiwan wobbles, differences between markets and another crypto scandal. In TECH NEWS, Twitter has yet another malfunction, TikTok tries charm and Intel could be held back by the Chips Act. In CAR NEWS, Tesla cuts prices again, UK car sales rise and hybrid sales narrow the gap with fully-electric. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, we look at trends in law firms, construction and consumer spending while Juul gets ditched for NJOY. AND FINALLY, I bring you ways to get a six-pack…
In MACRO NEWS, China announces its lowest GDP target for decades but could also transform Putin’s fortunes. In BUSINESS TRENDS NEWS, we see that US listed tech companies continue to face challenges, that deglobalisation pushes automation, that international schools look beyond China and that AI continues to be everywhere. In RETAIL NEWS, Morrisons ditches suppliers, John Lewis and Waitrose find it difficult to get out of their rut and WH Smith tries to offer an alternative to Paperchase. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, EVs boost chip demand, Arrival faces another lawsuit, Revolut’s valuation gets downgraded and Surrey house prices fall the most. AND FINALLY, I bring you an interesting emergency stash…
In MACRO NEWS, we look at China’s tricky position, a Russia sanction crackdown and pressure on the ECB. In TECH NEWS, ESG causes a kerfuffle, Bridgewater cuts jobs, Revolut posts its first annual profit, Vanguard gives up and Chinese banks offer mortgages for 95-year-olds. In CONSUMER & RETAIL NEWS, consumers return to the high street and the over-50s return to work while Macy’s suffers and Nordstrom shuts down. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Taylor Wimpey plans job cuts, Purplebricks’ story becomes a cautionary tale and there’s hindsight on Worldpay/FIS. AND FINALLY, I bring you Bieber pasta…
In MACRO & CRYPTO NEWS, the West wants the UAE to clamp down on Russia sanction-dodging, Germany’s inflation jumps, hopes increase for post-Brexit financial regulation progress, the BoE hints at peak interest rates and there’s more crypto drama. In FINANCIALS NEWS, ESG causes a kerfuffle, Bridgewater cuts jobs, Revolut posts its first annual profit, Vanguard gives up and Chinese banks offer mortgages for 95-year-olds. In TECH NEWS, Biden gets the power to ban TikTok, Twitter crashes, China’s AI advance faces limitations and Arm swerves London. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Musk plans cheaper cars, Rivian torches cash, Aston Martin losses double and UK house prices fall at the steepest annual rate since 2012. AND FINALLY, I bring you a strangely addictive clip…
In CONSUMER & RETAIL NEWS, inflation hits, the Treasury reviews energy subsidies, Shapps extends coal-burning plant usage, Sainsbury’s slims down, M&S rolls out more self-service tills, Ocado racks up losses and AO World gets a boost. In AUTOMOTIVE-RELATED NEWS, Berlin threatens to block the EU’s combustion engine ban, Tesla is to build a plant in Mexico, JLR’s owner wants government money, Arrival hits a bump and LG Energy Solution bets on fast US growth. In TECH NEWS, chipmakers face a choice, Brussels focuses on Apple, a ransomware attack on a chip supplier causes delays and Meta divides marketers. In FINANCIALS NEWS, Goldman has a rethink, Klarna sees profit ahead and St James’s Place misses its target. AND FINALLY, I bring you stuff in miniature…
In MACRO NEWS, we see a new Brexit agreement and bickering over funding. In CONSUMER & RETAIL NEWS, consumers face higher bills and weaker house prices while Lidl rations salad and Primark expects higher profits. In TECH NEWS, Canada bans TikTok from government devices, UK cities are to host fintech hubs and Stripe takes a pasting. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Recharge takes on Britishvolt, Bunzl passes on costs, Begbies Traynor gets a boost and Altria is in talks to buy NJOY. AND FINALLY, I bring you the day-to-day life of Gary the Stormtrooper…
In MACRO & OIL NEWS, a Brexit deal is afoot, British companies get more optimistic, war drives US oil exports to Europe but frackers are only seeing limited gains. In MANUFACTURING NEWS, Adani companies lose $145bn in one month, Thales and Hitachi plan hiring sprees, BMW goes hydrogen and electric air taxis hit turbulence. In TECH NEWS, Bao Fan is “co-operating” with the government, Twitter cuts more jobs, LinkedIn scammers taste success, another legal chatbot emerges and we see another interesting development in AI. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, we look at house prices in the US, a housebuilding slump in the UK, the trend of Brits heading to Greece and German discounters taking on corner shops. AND FINALLY, I bring you another optical illusion…
In MACRO & CRYPTO NEWS, China backtracks, Turkey cuts interest rates and SBF faces further charges. In TECH NEWS, Alibaba posts sales growth, Apple continues with China, Nvidia and WPP benefit from AI as AI replaces Web3 as the hot new thing while the EC bans staff using TikTok and Sunak is urged to do the same. In MANUFACTURING NEWS, Rolls-Royce gets a boost while war boosts BAE Systems’ prospects. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, retail sales slow, consumer confidence improves and middle classes still can’t afford EVs while EV production rises over January. AND FINALLY, I bring you some examples of synchronicity…
In MACRO, ENERGY & COMMODITY NEWS, the Fed talks of more rate rises, Citi thinks UK inflation could breach 2% this year, Japan tries to address its falling birth rate, Eskom drama intensifies and Rio Tinto takes a hit. In TECH NEWS, Intel slashes its dividend, Google makes a quantum breakthrough, social media giants face Aussie scrutiny, calls are made for a “BritGPT” and Nvidia broadens its AI ambitions. In AUTOMOTIVE NEWS, Stellantis makes a payout and Lucid aims to almost double production. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, China edges ahead on IPOs, Lloyds pays a dividend, Tesco rations fruit & veg, retailers fear utility bills while the Shaftsbury and Capital & Counties merger is approved. AND FINALLY, I bring you a challenge and a valuable crisp…
In MACRO & OIL NEWS, US concerns about rate rises hit markets, chances of UK recession recede, Russian oil exports to China rise and Ineos moves into US oil and gas. In TECH NEWS, we look at further developments in AI, Apple’s influence on Gen Z, Microsoft’s Nintendo and Nvidia deals and de-influencing. In CAR NEWS, Bentley moves towards electrification, lithium prices drop and the pursuit of hydrogen continues. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, fresh produce is rationed, McKinsey announces cuts, HSBC rakes it in, Bao Fan is (possibly) located, Visa and Mastercard face a class action while Eurosport and BT Sport announce a rebrand. AND FINALLY, I bring you a very clever magic trick…
In MACRO NEWS, we see contrasting views re Ukraine from the US and China. In RETAIL NEWS, M&S gets sporty, the UK runs short of salad, Morrisons cuts prices again and Tesco announces a pay rise. In TECH NEWS, Kyocera takes focus off China, Ericsson cuts headcount, China uses the courts to nick tech and we look at whether the free-access social media model is dead. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, BHP takes a hit but likes India and China, Singapore’s rents get prohibitive and the 4-day week has fans. AND FINALLY, I bring you this year’s biggest pancake “trend”…
In MACRO NEWS, we look at the current developments regarding Ukraine, Ireland defending itself and how the UK’s recession may be mild. In TECH NEWS, China’s tech chill goes up a notch, Facebook and Instagram launch paid options and there’s more commentary on AI. In REAL ESTATE & INVESTMENT NEWS, we look at the crypto housing crash, an actual house price slowdown and ethical investing. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, BrewDog is to expand in China, HMRC chases up influencers, retail job losses mount up and Birmingham airport prepares for hydrogen take-off. AND FINALLY, I bring you an illusion and a pancake tip…
In MACRO, ENERGY & CRYPTO NEWS, Biden looks at “balloongate”, China imposes sanctions and a Pentagon official visits Taiwan while the Bank of England’s economist hints at a slowdown, Centrica rakes it in and the SEC sues Terraform. In TECH NEWS, we look at the current state of the metaverse, Zuck’s security bill, Bing’s chatbot declaring love for a journalist and Microsoft getting defensive. In CONSUMER & RETAIL NEWS, we see cheaper mortgage rates and price hikes from Paramount, O2, Virgin Media and Nestlé while SSP benefits from more travellers, Aldi announces hiring plans and Wilko announces firing plans. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Standard Chartered makes bank, Adani’s woes continue and Tesla recalls 362,000 vehicles. AND FINALLY, I bring you a poached egg hack and a cute dog/owner video…
In MACRO & MARKETS NEWS, UK inflation slows, the FTSE breaks 8,000 and Sturgeon resigns. In FINANCIALS NEWS, Barclays sees profits fall, Revolut is targeted for crypto and KPMG cuts US headcount. In TECH NEWS, Allen & Overy introduces an AI chatbot, ChatGPT stumbles, Musk is to stay on as Twitter chief while regulators look into Amazon and Apple and UK police look vulnerable. In RETAIL/CONSUMER-RELATED NEWS, US retail sales jump, Kraft Heinz holds off on price hikes, Morrisons gets a credit rating downgrade and Dunelm maintains full-year guidance. AND FINALLY, I bring you Tom Cruise doing ridiculous things…
In MACRO, CRYPTO & MARKETS NEWS, US inflation eases, NATO suggests a solution for Finland and Sweden, Sunak looks at a wage deal, we look at Erdogan and his earthquake response, nuke gets green status in the UK and Binance has a bad day. In MANUFACTURING-RELATED NEWS, Air India makes a massive purchase, Toshiba’s profit evaporate, Ford cuts thousands of jobs in Europe and the EU announces emissions targets. In TECH NEWS, Apple in India hits challenges, TSMC gets sold off, TikTok continues negotiations and SoftBank rests on Arm. In CONSUMER-RELATED NEWS, we see how UK wages rise (but still lag inflation) and how consumers are spending on Airbnb and Tui while Waitrose cuts prices and Barclays cuts customer options. AND FINALLY, I bring you how to make a killer eggs-benny…
In MACRO, ENERGY & OIL NEWS, we look at why the eurozone may avoid recession, clean energy impact and what’s next for oil producers. In AUTOMOTIVE & BATTERY NEWS, EV makers seek out cleaner batteries, Ford licences tech from CATL and Toyota shifts to EVs. In CONSUMER TRENDS & RETAIL NEWS, high street footfall rises, Jet2 flies high, frozen food is hit by energy prices and Amazon doubles down on physical stores. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, the FCA is to gain powers to clamp down on BNPL, FIS gives up on Worldpay and Cineworld jumps on bid rumours. AND FINALLY, I bring you interesting ideas for proposals…
In MACRO & ENERGY NEWS, Taiwan talks balloons and Erdogan targets construction firms while we consider our avoidance of recession and some energy developments. In TRENDS NEWS, we look at the return to China, UK pessimism and UK pub closures as Meta considers more cuts, Monzo tracks staff and lawyers’ whopping bonuses dry up while real estate trends evolve. In TECH NEWS, we look at the ongoing impact of AI while TikTok’s parent takes on Meta in VR. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, NatWest is set to report massive profits and retailer Reserved expands. AND FINALLY, I bring you a banana bread hack and a £3 a head Valentine’s meal…
In MACRO, MARKETS & ENERGY NEWS, inflation in Germany falls to a new low, the FTSE hits another high, MSCI revises Adani Group weightings, Exxon plans cost cuts, China coal use poses a dilemma and South Africa’s Eskom problem persists. In CONSUMER GOODS & EMPLOYMENT NEWS, Adidas has a Yeezy issue, Pepsi commits, Unilever jacks up prices, Watches of Switzerland loses momentum, Hermès beats NFT naughtiness and there are job losses at Deliveroo, News Corp and Yahoo. In REAL ESTATE NEWS, Chinese property brokers twiddle their fingers, UK developers report rising demand for new-builds and we look at the landscape for buyers and renters. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Affirm faces challenges, Credit Suisse has a shocker, Standard Chartered is the subject of takeover rumours, Samsung goes upmarket, used EV demand rises and Tesla punishes the shorts. AND FINALLY, I bring you a Mini Egg game-changer…
In MARKETS, MACRO & OIL NEWS, US equities slide, investors pour money into China, MSCI reviews Adani Group, the FTSE100 hits an all-time high and the Istanbul stock exchange shuts while Turkey responds and Equinor reports massive profit. In TECH NEWS, Alphabet takes a massive hit and Microsoft is told to sell Call of Duty. In UK REAL ESTATE NEWS, we look at what’s behind the house price falls, the outlook and a ban on wood burners. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Disney cuts headcount, Mattel’s earnings fall, Beyonce’s clothing line hits Adidas, Cazoo has to restructure and the City is to publish a review of financial services. AND FINALLY, I bring you an unusual place to stay and a weird pizza…
In MACRO, OIL & ENERGY NEWS, the Fed warns of more interest rate rises, Sunak breaks up the business department, Modi’s opponents double-down on Adani’s problems, a state of emergency is declared in Turkey, BP reins in climate goals, Serica faces a bright future and the energy bailout won’t cost as much as expected. In CONSUMER & EMPLOYMENT TRENDS, UK house prices level out, mortgage rates calm down, UK employers turn to temps and Zoom lays off employees. In TECH NEWS, Arm sees profits rise, Microsoft continues to cause a stir with AI, Meta aims for younger users, Nintendo cuts forecasts and SoftBank’s Vision Funds post massive losses. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, we look at the failure of hybrids, Lidl vs Tesco and railway changes. AND FINALLY, I bring you very cute dog and kitten video…
In MACRO & CRYPTO NEWS, Turkey’s earthquake devastates, Sunak is about to do a mini post-Zahawi reshuffle and Britcoin moves forward. In TECH NEWS, Google brings out Bard, Baidu sets an AI bot launch date, Amazon has plans for Alexa, search wars are ignited and Dell cuts 5% of its workforce. In CONSUMER TRENDS & RETAIL NEWS, US consumers spend less on meat, UK card spending increases and M&Co cuts shops. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, EVs power car sales, Nissan warns, the UK’s EV industry falters, Rothschild aims to go private and finance sector job vacancies increase. AND FINALLY, I bring you a Jaffa Cake champion…
In MACRO & CRYPTO NEWS, China gets annoyed with the US for shooting down its spy balloon and “Britcoin” progresses. In CONSUMER-RELATED NEWS, we look at house prices and mortgage lending while interest rates for savers face scrutiny and return rail fares face extinction. In EV NEWS, dealers and buyer fret about high prices, a price war is resisted, Tesla increases Model Y prices, Musk wins another lawsuit, Toyota’s new chief looks set to take the conventional road and Chinese marques hit Europe. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, Big Tech companies pursue AI alliances and disclose the cost of culls, Amazon looks to sublet UK warehouses, Crew Clothing is bullish and stove-makers transition to induction. AND FINALLY, I bring you an optical illusion (that I can’t see)…
In MACRO & OIL NEWS, the Bank of England raises interest rates and Shell makes record profits. In TECH NEWS, Qualcomm posts weaker sales, Apple and Google disappoint while Amazon reports higher sales, Meta gets real, ChatGPT hits 100 million users and deepfakes cause concern. In AUTOMOTIVE NEWS, Ferrari roars, Ford underwhelms and Harley’s on a roll. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Estée Lauder has a profit warning, Starbucks toasts record quarterly revenue, Peel Hunt expands its retail offering and Sainsbury’s looks vulnerable. AND FINALLY, I bring you Prime sorbet…
In MACRO & OIL NEWS, the Fed raises US interest rates and we take a closer look at the EU vs US subsidies situation, how the IMF has a history of getting forecasts wrong and a few challenges facing Shell and BP. In EMPLOYMENT, CONSUMER & RETAIL TRENDS, US workers return to office, there are headcount reductions at PayPal, FedEx and Rivian while in the UK we see mortgage overpayments, weaker property prices and the ongoing battle in UK supermarkets. In TECH NEWS, a US chipmaker plans to build a semiconductor plant in Germany, Intel cuts back and OpenAI offers a new subscription plan while Meta has a good day, YouTube takes on TikTok and Darktrace tries to fend of scepticism. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Adani calls off its share sale and Peloton pedals towards recovery. AND FINALLY, I bring you a new discovery (for me, anyway!)…
In MACRO, CRYPTO & BUSINESS TRENDS NEWS, Chinese manufacturing declines, the UK goes ahead with crypto regulation and UK companies fail at a rapid rate. In STREAMING & TECH NEWS, Spotify adds new users, Universal Music looks to review the streaming model, Snap warns of a hit and Darktrace dives. In AUTOMOTIVE NEWS, GM’s Q4 profit booms, Lotus aims for a SPAC-backed IPO and bidders emerge for Britishvolt. In CONSUMER & RETAIL NEWS, stealth taxes hit the wealthy, mortgage demand weakens, food price inflation is difficult to digest, Pets at Home does well, Tesco buys Paperchase and announces big changes while Wickes puts in a solid performance.AND FINALLY, I bring you an interesting specialist spa…
In MACRO NEWS, we look at interest rate trends, IMF forecasts, China’s rebound, the EU’s plans to relax state aid, Germany in a pickle and a downer for the UK. In EMPLOYMENT, CONSUMER & RETAIL NEWS, Big Tech gets brutal, Philips cuts deep, US consumers get nervous, there’s bad news for JD Sports and Paperchase while Lidl commits to spending on UK suppliers. In AUTOMOTIVE NEWS, Renault and Nissan recalibrate, Ford goes on the warpath with its Mach-E and there’s more pain for Arrival. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, we see weaker chip demand, Musk taking on PayPal, Baidu going ChatGPT, a broccoli-harvesting robot and Ryanair’s success.AND FINALLY, I bring you broccoli-washing and the consequences of a dry January…
In MACRO, ENERGY & BUSINESS TRENDS NEWS, anticipation increases ahead of the Bank of England’s interest rate decision this week, power stations make record gains, Russia’s war speeds up the shift to renewables and BP cuts long term forecasts while we consider China’s reopening, the increase in UK profit warnings and the bursting of the podcast bubble. In CONSUMER & RETAIL TRENDS, UK homes cut streaming services last year, flat searches become more popular, online returns rose and Frasers offers credit. In TECH NEWS, it’s a big week for Big Tech results, chip exports to China tighten and we consider a break-up of Google’s ad business. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, we look at the future for EVs, why Britishvolt failed and what that means for subsidies, Adani’s response and Flybe’s cancellation.AND FINALLY, I bring you a jacket potato hack…
In MACRO, ENERGY & CRYPTO NEWS, US GDP growth beats forecasts, UK productivity loses momentum, National Grid stands down, Shell reviews its energy supply business and bitcoin is attacked while Tesla suffers losses. In CONSUMER, RETAIL & EMPLOYMENT TRENDS, LVHM and Diageo toast success, Wizz Air takes off, rents reach new highs, Asda and Morrisons have a rough ride, Hasbro and SAP announce job cuts while Airbus and Chipotle hire big. In TECH NEWS, Intel has weak guidance and BuzzFeed is to use ChatGPT for content creation. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, NatWest and TSB have contrasting fortunes while European defence firms brace for orders.AND FINALLY, I bring you top tips on how to win on the claw machine and how to do pasta right…
In MACRO, OIL & BUSINESS TRENDS NEWS, UK inflation falls, the dollar weakens, Erdogan calls for an early election in Turkey, Harbour Energy cuts jobs and the IEA predicts big oil demand while we look at trends in gambling, plastics and UK real estate. In RETAIL NEWS, US retail sales fall, Shein might take a hit, WH Smith and Currys do well while Burberry, Cartier and Aspinal have differing fortunes and Cazoo’s chief steps down after massive failure. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Renault and Nissan reset, China takes on Didi, Britishvolt gets some interest and Microsoft cuts 10,000. AND FINALLY, I bring you a Quavers superfan and a Google dog guide…
In MACRO & OIL NEWS, the UK’s public sector borrowing sets a new record and oilfield services companies feel a boom. In EMPLOYMENT & CONSUMER TRENDS, US companies shed temps and 3M cuts manufacturing jobs while Chinese save, UK consumers return to the high street and first-time buyers group together. Consumers spend at Primark, Marston’s and Saga. In TECH NEWS, Google is taken to task over its ad dominance, Microsoft has better than expected results and there’s a tech Trojan horse in our midst. In MISCELLANOUS NEWS, Tesla considers an expansion while used Model 3 prices in the UK fall, India’s EV market gets into gear and Elliott tries its hand in Japan. AND FINALLY, I bring you paprika and how to choose decent prosecco…
In TECH NEWS, Microsoft confirms big investment in ChatGPT maker, Salesforce gets a feisty investor, Spotify axes 600 jobs, Strava goes shopping and Arm puts the pressure on. In REAL ESTATE TRENDS, we see a rise in cash buyers, more equity release and Redrow goes full-on heat pump. In RETAIL & LEISURE NEWS, Japanese convenience stores get a revival and Fuller’s has a profit warning. In MISCELLANOUS NEWS, rural China runs short of Covid drugs, QIA doubles its slice of Credit Suisse and Ford targets job cuts. AND FINALLY, I take you on the path to crispy bacon…
In MACRO & ENERGY NEWS, economists think the eurozone will avoid recession, differ on how deep ours will be and coal power stations roar back to life. In TECH NEWS, Microsoft looks set for disappointing results and ChatGPT passes an MBA exam. In CONSUMER-RELATED NEWS, Japan gets a pay rise, Netflix considers a free ad-supported membership, Tesla’s price cuts pressure rivals and Kia reckons affordable EVs aren’t possible. In MISCELLANOUS NEWS, Citadel breaks records, bankers brace for impact and pharmas snap up real estate. AND FINALLY, I bring you a bearded man with unusual “talents”…
In MACRO, OIL & CRYPTO NEWS, Xi Jinping is warned about super-spreading, central bankers talk higher rates for longer and Bailey emphasises likelihood of recession while we see why Harbour Energy is affected by the windfall taxes, the failure of Genesis and the possible rebirth of FTX. In CONSUMER, RETAIL & EMPLOYMENT NEWS, mortgages get harder, shoppers get nervous, AJ Bell brings in the customers, Dunelm delights but Doc Martens and Boohoo suffer, Hotel Choc wants to expand and we look at employment trends in tech and law. In NEW INNOVATIONS NEWS, a hydrogen-powered test flight completes and artists take on AI. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANIES NEWS, KKR curbs redemptions, Netflix’s co-founder steps down, Deliveroo eyes profit and Informa is back in business. AND FINALLY, I bring you the best electric blankets…
In MACRO, OIL & BUSINESS TRENDS NEWS, UK inflation falls, the dollar weakens, Erdogan calls for an early election in Turkey, Harbour Energy cuts jobs and the IEA predicts big oil demand while we look at trends in gambling, plastics and UK real estate. In RETAIL NEWS, US retail sales fall, Shein might take a hit, WH Smith and Currys do well while Burberry, Cartier and Aspinal have differing fortunes and Cazoo’s chief steps down after massive failure. In INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, Renault and Nissan reset, China takes on Didi, Britishvolt gets some interest and Microsoft cuts 10,000. AND FINALLY, I bring you a Quavers superfan and a Google dog guide…
In MACRO & OIL NEWS, the IMF gets optimistic (and FMs agree with them!), Europe appeals to the US, Scholz says Germany will avoid recession and Total coughs up. In CONSUMER, RETAIL & REAL ESTATE NEWS, UK wages continue to lag inflation while Ocado, THG and Paperchase have a ‘mare, HSBC cuts mortgage rates and Crest talks its own book. In FINANCIALS NEWS, Goldman Sachs sees its profits drop, Morgan Stanley edges ahead, Citi gets tough and Wise suffers. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, social media bosses could face jail, Twitter’s in a pickle, Microsoft plans layoffs whilst getting positive about OpenAI and Britishvolt falls into administration. AND FINALLY, I bring you the most epic breakfast in bed…
In MACRO & HOUSEHOLD ENERGY NEWS NEWS, China’s GDP weakens and its population shrinks, Yellen plans an African trip, Turkey tries to reassure NATO, UK inflation could drop sharply (but it’s already taken its toll) and British Gas goes on the heat pump offensive. In TECH NEWS, Microsoft considers a $10bn bet on AI, Didi benefits from the thaw and TikTok looks to rejig its US business. In CONSUMER TRENDS & RETAIL NEWS, US companies are slowing price hikes, EVs now make up 10% of new car sales, Fortum’s returns to profit and Reiss spruces up nicely. In REAL ESTATE NEWS, Russians buy Dubai, buyers still pay for eco-offices and the old John Lewis in Birmingham gets a new lease of life. AND FINALLY, I bring you a very small “apartment” and a loveable pet duck…
In BUSINESS TRENDS NEWS, company valuations fall, Bayer looks to the US and commercial construction rates hit highest levels in twenty years. In CONSUMER TRENDS NEWS, home buyers return and BNPL demand booms while M&S opens more stores, FatFace has a strong Christmas and Matalan’s lenders take ownership. In EMPLOYMENT NEWS, Credit Suisse cuts 10% of European investment bankers and London law firms resort to unusual tactics to get staff into offices. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, social media platforms brace for age checks and UK anti-protest measures look set to tighten. AND FINALLY, I bring you some “banished” words and phrases…
In BIG PICTURE NEWS, US inflation slows, the US and Japan expand their security alliance while Biden gets in trouble, the Bank of England makes money from Truss and we see developments in energy, commodities and the latest in crypto. In RETAIL NEWS, Tesco, M&S and Very have a strong Christmas while Asos and Halfords face issues. In REAL ESTATE NEWS, Persimmon slows the pace, Savills sees a buoyant top end and a mortgage crunch looms. In MISCELLANEOUS NEWS, TSMC is cautious, PC sales fall, Tesla cuts prices in the US and HBO Max ups its prices. AND FINALLY, I bring you Waitrose vs Warburtons: the crumpet wars (there’s no contest in my book)…