Watson’s Weekly 19-10-2018

This is an amalgamation of the “best bits” of the daily weekday newsletter/blog woven together to form a concise and coherent view on the things that matter in the commercial and economic news of the week. 

THE DAY IN BRACKETS REFERS TO THE EDITION WHERE THE STORY APPEARED IN WATSON’S DAILY. Clicking on the day will take you to the appropriate edition of Watson’s Daily.

SO ANOTHER ACTION-PACKED WEEK GOES BY IN MACROECONOMICS...

  • A Hollywood-worthy scandal gathered pace this week as Saudi Arabia was accused of murdering a journalist dissident at its consulate in Isambul (Monday), which was vehemently denied by the Saudis and then followed by various threats and repercussions from both sides (Tuesday, Wednesday). The drama is ongoing.
  • China unveiled slowing growth (Friday) but officials tried to calm any market panic. China’s still on track for its year-end 6.5% GDP growth target, though.
  • In Europe, French President Emmanuel Macron had a Cabinet reshuffle (Wednesday) after a series of senior resignations as he pressed the refresh button ahead of more attempts at reform. Germany’s Angela Merkel got a buffeting in the Bavarian elections (Monday), which isn’t ideal from her point of view but could actually weaken the voices of detractors in the weak coalition
  • And then in the UK, we saw UK wages rise (Wednesday), inflation fall (Thursday) and weaker retail sales (Friday)
  • There was also a very interesting development for cryptocurrencies this week as Fidelity Investments announced that it will store and trade Bitcoin and Ether (Tuesday) for hedge funds and other professional investors in the new Fidelity Digital Asset Services business

THE RETAIL SECTOR CONTINUES TO BE A MIXED BAG...

  • US retailer Sears filed for bankruptcy protection (Monday) after plans to rescue it fell flat, online clothing retailer Asos unveiled strong results (Thursday) and New Look announced that it was withdrawing from China (Friday)

UK REAL ESTATE HAS SEEN BETTER DAYS...

  • UK house prices continue to weaken (Thursday) and Crest Nicholson had its third profits warning  in two years (Thursday)

MEANWHILE, AIRLINES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ATLANTIC HAVE CONSTRASTING FORTUNES...

  • On the one hand, you have US airlines announcing strong results (Thursday) as increased numbers of business class passengers offset higher jet fuel costs and then, on the other, Cypriot airline Cobalt Air ceases operations (Friday) and UK regional carrier Flybe has a profit warning (Thursday).

IN INDIVIDUAL COMPANY NEWS, NETFLIX AND UBER HAD SOME INTERESTING NEWS...

  • Netflix came out with stronger-than-expected subscriber numbers (Wednesday) whilst Uber identified two new business areas – in virtual restaurants (Monday) and catering temping (Friday). Business diversification for Uber could be the key to making its proposed flotation next year more attractive.

BANTER

My favourite bits of banter this week could be combined to provide a relaxing interlude for you this weekend. You could admire the artistry of the coins in You need to check out this really cool coin that has an amazing hidden feature (Mashable, Xavier Piedra https://tinyurl.com/y78snhpf) whilst listening to the music in Japanese netizen kills time by learning to play a hit J-pop song on…calculators (SoraNews24, Dale Roll https://tinyurl.com/y9mxtvhf) and munching on a something from this place: Toastie restaurant with completely bonkers fillings to open in UK – would you try any of them? (The Mirror, Robyn Darbyshire https://tinyurl.com/y7a5sx8y)

I hope you have a great weekend! 

 

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