Chemistry and the Economy: Looking forward to 2024?
Join Paul Hodges of New Normal Consulting and Mark Jones of MJPhD, LLC as they share data and their observations on what is affecting the chemical economy, what tough decisions lie ahead,…
Demographics are destiny for the global economy, as central banks start to realise
We don’t often use the word “impossible” in the newsletter. But in this case, it is clearly impossible for GDP to continue to grow in the major Western economies.
COP 28 needs to see words translated into action, as carbon emissions have to peak in 2025
“Every year of the baby steps we’ve been taking up to this point means that we need to be taking bigger leaps with each following year, if we are to stay in…
Investors hope (again) for interest rate cuts and a ‘Santa Claus rally’
investors are hoping Fed Chairman Jay Powell will soon signal a dramatic interest rate cut. And so they are positioning for a ‘Santa Claus’ rally. But most adults know that Santa Claus…
WeWork’s bankruptcy marks the beginning of the end for the stimulus economy
Essentially, the central banks thought that unlimited amounts of free money could reverse the impact of ageing populations. WeWork’s bankruptcy suggests that the bills for this mistake are now coming due, after…
Q3 smartphone market confirms need to build Services revenue as consumer sales slow
The smartphone market highlights how companies are responding very differently to the economic slowdown. Samsung is adding features such as ‘foldables’. But Apple is building services business to provide annuity revenue for…
Asia’s debt crisis starts to approach its endgame as the yen continues to tumble
Last week, the Japanese yen fell through the US$ : ¥150 level for the first time since 1990. It has now fallen by nearly 50% against the US$ in the past two…
Food banks spread in richer countries, hunger spreads in poorer countries, as Europe’s fertilizer crisis continues
Unfortunately, the problems look set to get worse rather than better. And the oil price rise caused by the Israel/Gaza crisis adds to the problems caused by the Ukraine invasion. A difficult…
Existential crisis? Growth opportunity? Catalyst for restructuring? Decarbonization challenges the chemical industry and its customers
“Chemicals are present in 95% of manufactured goods. The chemical industry is Europe’s hungriest industrial energy consumer and the 3rd biggest emitter of CO2 emissions. It now stands on the verge of…