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)...