What’s going here? Disney, McDonald’s, Starbucks and other U.S. companies with significant exposure in China are suspending operations as response to the outbreak of the coronavirus. The municipal government of Shanghai also issued a notice ordering companies not to resume work after the CNY holiday until Feb. 3, instead of Jan. 31. The virus has…
Tag: us
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 76: A Recipe For Success
What’s Going On Here? Morgan Stanley whipped up an optimistic prediction: it reckons the start of next year will provide all the ingredients we need for a global economic recovery. What Does This Mean? The past two years have seen global economic growth slow from 3.8% to 3%, in part because of the US-China trade…
Ep 70: OK Computer
What’s Going On Here? “Just” $40 billion separates the values of Apple and Microsoft – the world’s largest and second-largest public companies. So here’s hoping Microsoft’s better-than-expected quarterly update will help it become fitter, happier, and more productive… What Does This Mean? Microsoft’s revenue and profit was higher than forecast, and the sky was the limit for the company’s…
Ep 65: A Jobbing Economy
What’s Going On Here? US economy added 136,000 jobs in September; While that was fewer than economists predicted, the country’s unemployment rate also fell to 3.5%: a 50-year low. What Does This Mean? Investors largely ignored the disappointing job additions – perhaps because the official estimates for job growth in previous months were simultaneously increased; those that were added…
Ep 61: Microsoft? Word
What’s Going On Here? Microsoft, the world’s biggest public company, got even bigger when investors double-clicked its stock after it announced a higher-than-expected dividend and fresh round of share buybacks. What Does This Mean? Even if you don’t own Microsoft shares directly, its sheer size – 4% of the US stock market – gives it a lot of sway over…
Ep 58: Mobile payments have barely caught on in the US
Key points Compared with China, India and other parts of the world, the U.S. is way behind in adopting mobile payments. It seems odd considering the ubiquity of smartphones in America. But experts say a deeply embedded legacy system and rewards cards make it unlikely that we’ll see a major shift anytime soon. What’s going on…
Ep 56: Trump will raise tariff rates on Chinese goods
Long story short President Donald Trump says the U.S. will hike tariffs on most imports from China as his trade war with Beijing escalates. The U.S. will raise duties on $250 billion in Chinese goods to 30% from 25% and increase tariffs on another $300 billion in products to 15% from 10%. Earlier, China announced…
Ep 46: Chin Up, China
What’s Going On Here? China’s economy grew 6.2% in the second quarter of 2019 versus a year before (its slowest rate since the end of the Cold War). What Does This Mean? While the growth rate was in line with economists’ expectations and with China’s target of 6-6.5% for 2019 as a whole – a close inspection of the…
Ep 36: What FedEx Isn’t…
What’s going on here? The shipping company filed against the U.S. Commerce Department, calling it a “law enforcement agency” What inspired such soul-searching? FedEx claims it shouldn’t be held liable for unknowingly shipping products that violate the Trump administration’s ban on U.S. exports to certain Chinese companies. Driving the news: some mischief, some earnings Mischief first. Though many thought this suit…
with HT 