Category: Today

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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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”…

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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…

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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…

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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”…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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 🤣

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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”…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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”…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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