Explainer-in-brief: No industry seems to be safe from layoffs January 11, 2023 In keeping with the trends of 2022, this year opened with more announcements of layoffs in all kinds of sectors. Corporate law firms in the City have hinted they might follow in their US counterparts’ footsteps and start sacking staff. Amazon has declared it will let more than 18,000 people go. And Goldman Sachs has [...]
What’s the best way to make up for the metals supply shortfall? Look down. January 11, 2023 It’s been a rough couple of years for metal producers. Sky-high demand, factory closures, and supply chain disruption have resulted in a shortfall in supply. A quick post-Covid bounce back in demand should’ve resulted in producers scaling production back up to meet demand. However… Inflation has taken hold of every industry worldwide: the cost of [...]
The pandemic’s lasting impact is huge… How can the little idea of recycling help? January 11, 2023 The pandemic’s lasting impact is huge… How can the little idea of recycling help? For the past 2 years, it’s been one thing after another: Covid lockdowns, more Covid lockdowns, Russia invading Ukraine, and a few more Covid lockdowns (looking at you China). Therefore, it comes as no surprise the global economy continues to take [...]
The Cost of Living Crisis Is Not Just Local, It’s Global. We Need a Global Mindset to Tackle It. January 11, 2023 The cost of living crisis is being felt by everyone – people on the breadline are now in poverty, those once well-off are now counting their coppers. This might be the picture for most in developed countries, however developing markets have largely been unaffected by Covid and inflation linked to the Russian conflict. With only [...]
Is ESG facing an existential crisis? What could be next for sustainable investing… January 11, 2023 It’s been a rough year for ESG – Russian oil companies qualify as sufficiently environmentally and socially responsible to receive ESG funds. Sam Bank-Friedman’s bankrupted FTX crypto enterprise has a higher ESG score on ‘leadership and governance’ than Exxon/Mobil. In light of the discovery of controversial ESG fund allocation, it is vital ESG undergoes a significant [...]
Now that you’re asking where your supplies come from, we should talk. January 11, 2023 As the world faces a shortfall of both energy supplies and critical metals, difficult decisions are being made to meet the growing supply gaps without risking new dependencies on unsustainable producers or compromised geopolitical actors. Quite a problem for some; particularly for a range of European countries and firms in light of the Russian invasion [...]
Barratt: Rising mortgage costs could hit its profits as house prices slide January 11, 2023 Barratt Developments said the outlook for 2023 was ‘uncertain’ as rising mortgage costs force residential property sales down. The FTSE 100 listed house builder said demand for its homes in 2023 looks “uncertain” due to prospective home buyers shunning big ticket purchases amid a cost of living and mortgage affordability squeeze. Mortgage costs have been [...]
Strike! Ten Entertainment bucks hospitality trend with ‘record-breaking’ sales year January 11, 2023 Bowling alley operator Ten Entertainment delivered a “record-breaking” year, with sales up almost 90 per cent on 2021 and 50 per cent on pre-pandemic levels. The firm, which operates 48 bowling and social entertainment venues, reported a total sales increase of 87 per cent from 2021, in wake of the pandemic restrictions being lifted. It [...]
Sainsbury’s: Expected profits up as food shoppers splash Christmas cash but Argos bears brunt of cost of living crisis January 11, 2023 Sainsbury’s cashed in on Christmas shopping with retail sales up more than five per cent, as the supermarket giant expects its profit to be at the “upper end” of guidance. The major retailer now expects to be making close to £700m in pre-tax profit this March, despite the cost of living crisis weighing down consumer [...]
Ocado beats Google, Microsoft and Mastercard to become one of best firms to work for in Britain January 11, 2023 Food delivery tech firm Ocado beat Google, Microsoft and Mastercard to be crowned as one of the best firms to work for in the UK. In fresh data published by Glassdoor today, Bain & Company was rated Britain’s top employer, with the tech sector dominating the list, taking 21 out of 50 spots. There were [...]