Headlines
Americas
Apple's China Market Share Drops
Apple has experienced a notable decline in its market position within China's highly competitive smartphone sector, losing its leadership to local rivals Huawei and Vivo. As of 2024, Apple's market share has dropped to 15%, down from previous years, marking a significant shift in the tech landscape of one of its most crucial markets. According to recent...
Bank Of America Revenue Exceeding Expectations
Bank of America reported strong second-quarter results, with revenue and profit exceeding expectations, driven by growth in investment banking and asset management fees. The bank's earnings per share reached 83 cents, surpassing the LSEG estimate of 80 cents, while revenue climbed to $25.54 billion, beating the projected $25.22 billion. Despite a 6.9%...
Crystal Ball Not Required
Company directors owe several fiduciary duties, one of which is to act in the best interest of shareholders. But to what extent does that duty to shareholders apply in the context of the financial health of the company? The award-winning commercial and litigation lawyers at ParrisWhittaker are experienced in advising company directors on their duties,...
Home to Portugal's "mountain of stars".
Home to Portugal's "mountain of stars" and some of Europe's least light-polluted skies, the Alentejo region is best seen at night.A long twisting road leads up Portugal's highest mountain, and here, unlike many other European summits, visitors can drive right to the top. The peak rises 1,993m above sea level, and although its actual name is Torre (tower),...
A blooming future for New York’s community gardens
TUCKED AWAY in an unassuming corner of north Brooklyn is a 3,000-square-foot patch of open space. Keap Fourth, at the intersection of Keap and South 4th Streets, is a community garden established in 2013. It’s a well-known hub in this largely Dominican and Puerto Rican neighbourhood, perched at the edge of trendy Williamsburg. The sun is out, and...
Asia Pacific
Trade Tensions Hamper Chip Production
Investors in the semiconductor sector have been cautious due to Washington's increasingly protective policies towards the U.S. chip manufacturing industry, which is seen as crucial for competing with China. Bloomberg reported on Wednesday that the U.S. has informed its allies of potential severe trade restrictions if companies continue to provide China...
Mixed Performance in Asia-Pacific Markets
Asia-Pacific markets showed a mixed performance on Tuesday as investors digested Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's dovish remarks on potential interest rate cuts, which had propelled Wall Street higher in the previous session. Japan's Nikkei 225 Index edged up following a holiday break, with traders closely monitoring yen movements. Chinese markets...
7 Techniques To Enhance Your Marketing Email Click-Through Rate (CTR)
Do you suspect your email marketing strategy is ineffective? If your email click-through rate is disappointing, you are most likely correct. Let's face it: if your subscribers don't click your links, you'll have fewer leads and sales, which will reduce your income. That is why enticing more subscribers to click is critical. When we talk about email...
Making access to climate finance a priority
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is calling for a sharper financial focus on putting climate actions at the centre of development and recovery for the region. Read More
TRENDSETTERS at-a-glance: Korean, Indian regulators sharpen ESG focus; and more
Korean watchdog cracks down on ESG compliance; India to enhance ESG reporting; Singapore fintechs to drive green finance; and StashAway expands to Hong Kong. Read More
Europe
BP Job Cuts
BP is making significant changes to its workforce as part of a strategic effort to streamline operations and cut costs. The London-based energy giant announced on January 16, 2025, that it will reduce its global workforce by approximately 4,700 employees, representing about 5% of its total staff of around 90,000. Additionally, BP plans to eliminate...
Sainsbury's CEO Calls for Reform of Outdated Business Rates System
In a bold statement, Simon Roberts, the Chief Executive of Sainsbury's, has declared that the current business rates system is "no longer fit for purpose." Roberts' comments highlight the growing burden that traditional retailers face in the face of increasing competition from online competitors.The Disproportionate Impact on Retailers Sainsbury's,...
McDonald's UK Celebrates 50 Years: A Legacy of Innovation and Supply Chain Excellence Crowned by ACQFive & Gamechangers™ UK Company of the Year and International Food Services Company of the Year Awards
As McDonald's marks its 50th anniversary in the UK, the fast-food giant reflects on half a century of innovation, supply chain mastery, and cultural impact. Since opening its first UK restaurant in Woolwich, London, in 1974, McDonald's has become an integral part of British life, serving millions of customers and creating countless memories. This milestone...
Ocado Tech Boost Benefits Share Price
Ocado, the British online grocer and technology company, has significantly boosted investor confidence by upgrading its annual guidance for its crucial warehouse technology division. This announcement in July 2024 led to a dramatic surge in the company's share price, with stocks jumping by nearly a fifth, marking one of the most substantial single-day...
Telegraph Takeover Uncertainty
Sir Paul Marshall's potential acquisition of The Daily Telegraph is facing increasing uncertainty as the deadline for bids approaches. The hedge fund tycoon, who holds a significant stake in GB News, has been reconsidering his solo bid for the Telegraph titles in recent weeks. Despite the Friday evening deadline set by RedBird IMI, the Abu Dhabi-backed...
Mena
Abu Dhabi establishes registration authority to strengthen its business sector
Abu Dhabi has taken a significant step towards enhancing its business ecosystem with the establishment of the Abu Dhabi Registration Authority (ADRA). This new entity, launched by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), aims to streamline business registration processes and introduce new types of licenses, marking a milestone in the...
Qatar Airways Elevates the Pinnacle of Luxury Travel: A New Era for the World's Best Business Class
Qatar Airways, the Doha-based carrier renowned for its commitment to excellence, has once again raised the bar in luxury air travel. The airline, which has consistently dominated the "World's Best Business Class" category at the prestigious World Airline Awards by Skytrax for the past decade, has unveiled a series of upgrades to its already industry-leading...
Somalia’s President Extends Term by Two Years, Drawing Condemnation
His four-year term expired, President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed signed a contentious law that critics fear could plunge the fragile country into renewed, possibly violent, turmoil.NAIROBI, Kenya — In a highly contentious move, Somalia’s president has extended his own term in office by two years, drawing condemnation from the United States and other...
With a New Museum, African Workers Take Control of Their Destiny
A Dutch artist worked with former plantation employees to create a “white cube” that they hope will one day display works returned from European museums.AMSTERDAM — When the Dutch artist Renzo Martens presented his film “Episode III: Enjoy Poverty” at Tate Modern in London in 2010, he couldn’t help but notice the many Unilever logos painted...
Pentagon Chief Orders New Review of Attack in Kenya That Killed 3 Americans
The unusual review of the conclusions of the initial inquiry comes more than a year after the attack by the Shabab revealed security lapses at the base. #styln-signup { max-width: calc(100% - 40px); width: 600px; margin: 20px auto; border-bottom: 1px solid #e2e2e2; min-height: 50px; } #styln-signup + .live-blog-post::before...
International
The Importance of Legal Rankings in 2024 and beyond
Law firm rankings have become an increasingly important tool for law firms to showcase their expertise, attract clients, and recruit top talent in 2024. These rankings, published by respected organisations like Chambers & Partners, ACQFive Legal50, Legal 500, and RollOnFriday, provide valuable insights into a firm's performance, reputation, and areas...
HSBC Strategy Continues With Elhedery CEO Appointment
HSBC Holdings Plc (HSBA.L) has named its Chief Financial Officer Georges Elhedery as the next CEO, the bank announced on Wednesday. This selection emphasizes the global lender's focus on continuity as it aims to boost growth. Elhedery, 50, will become HSBC's third chief executive in under a decade, taking over from Noel Quinn on Sept. 2. While external...
Mastering the Art of Post-Merger Integration: Unlocking the True Value of M&A
Mergers and acquisitions are significant events in the corporate world, often seen as a strategic avenue for growth, diversification, and increasing market share. However, the real test of an M&A transaction lies in the post-merger integration (PMI) phase. It is during this critical period that companies have the opportunity to unlock the true value...
Sources and acknowledgments
In addition to those quoted in this report, the author would also like to thank the following people: Daisuke Adachi, Abigail Adams-Prassl, Jeremias Adams-Prassl, Julian Baggini, Erik Brynjolfsson, Tyler Cowen, Richard Freeman, Peter Ganong, Linda Hynes, Niels Johannesen, Arend Kapteyn, Akira Kawamoto, Bridget Loudon, the Independent Workers’ Union...
Averting a Chinese-American trade war
IN 1784 the Empress of China set sail from New York, on the first American trade mission to China. Carrying ginseng, lead and woollen cloth, the merchants aboard dreamed of cracking open the vast Asian market. But the real profit, they found, came on their return, when they brought Chinese teas and porcelain to America. As other ships...