What’s going on? US investment bank JPMorgan Chase proved its strength and won a prize when it announced financial results: its 2019 was the most profitable year for any US bank ever. What does this mean? JPMorgan reported a 21% surge in profit last quarter: largely driven by a 56% increase in trading revenue. Bond trading was…
Author: Finterest
Ep 86: Positive Signs
What’s Going On Here? The US stock market hit even higher record highs, putting investors well on track for a positive January return, suggesting a good new year too… What Does This Mean? The “January effect” is a phenomenon whereby stocks typically rise at the start of the year – and data shows that if that momentum…
Ep 85: Year Of The Rat
What’s Going On Here? New data confirmed that the Chinese economy was fastened in 2019 – but shrewd investors might hope it’ll scurry ahead during the upcoming Year of the Rat. What Does This Mean? China’s economy grew 6.1% in 2019: its weakest year since 1990. It blames trade war with the US, and as tensions…
Ep 84: Visa’s $5.3 billion surprise acquisition of Plaid
What’s going on here? Visa is buying fintech Plaid for $5.3 billion and expects the deal to close in the next three to six months (Mar-Jun, 2020). Plaid offers technology that allows consumers to link their bank accounts to its 2,600 fintech clients (including Venmo) and 11,000 financial institutions – making it one of several players…
Ep 83: What ‘stepping back’ from Royal family means for Harry, Meghan, Archie and the wider family
What’s going on here? The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have announced they are stepping back as senior members of the royal family and work to become financially independent while continuing to support the Queen. Why did Harry and Meghan take the decision? The couple spoke of their struggles dealing with royal life and the intense tabloid…
Ep 82: Thai fintech startup Lightnet banks $31.2m in Series A round
What’s going on here? Bangkok-based fintech company Lightnet has nabbed $31.2 million in a Series A funding round to further develop a blockchain financial mobility network. Blockchain financial mobility network: by connecting existing financial systems with its vast network of non-bank agents and fiat-transaction network, improve the efficiency, convenience and affordability of legacy remittance and…
Ep 81: Vietnam’s industrial growth is slowing down
Industrial GDP in the fourth quarter of 2019 increased by only 7.92%, much lower than that of the third quarter (10.42%) and the first 9 months of 2019 (9.56%). Growth of metal ore mining cannot make up for the whole mining industry Growth of the mining industry decreased by 0.92% in the fourth quarter of 2019. Crude…
Ep 80: On The Pull
What’s Going On Here? With Germany’s unemployment rate unexpectedly falling in November, the country might now dig its heels in more than ever against the European Central Bank (ECB). What Does This Mean? The ECB has long been calling for Germany to boost its economy through extra public spending, but positive unemployment data might give the country’s…
Ep 79: Konnichiwa Ocado
What’s Going On Here? Shares of Ocado – the British online grocery store and, now, tech company – rose 11% after the company announced a new partnership with Japan’s biggest supermarket chain, Aeon. What Does This Mean? Ocado started life as just an online grocer, but it became tougher to stay ahead of big UK supermarkets…
Ep 78: Exports Fan
What’s Going On Here? A key survey of eurozone activity showed the bloc’s export-driven manufacturing sector – though still shrinking – ticked up in November. What Does This Mean? The promising data for the eurozone’s manufacturing sector raised hopes that the worst of the region’s recent industrial slump may finally be over. But the bloc still has…
with HT 