Bored of Brexit? How the B-word went from advertiser’s dream to branding disaster December 11, 2018 The word “Brexit” is unavoidable. When we pick up a newspaper, turn on the TV, or log in to social media, the B-word follows us everywhere. For many of the world’s largest brands, this would be a dream. The likes of Nike, Coca-Cola and Amazon spend billions of pounds for the kind of ubiquity that [...]
Apple banned from selling seven iPhone models in China after Qualcomm dispute December 10, 2018 US telecoms giant Qualcomm has won two preliminary injunctions against Apple banning the importation and sale of several iPhone models in China. Apple shares dipped by as much as two per cent today after a Chinese court ruled that the sale of seven iPhone models infringed upon two of Qualcomm’s patents, before later recovering most [...]
Chief executives can no longer stay out of the political fray December 10, 2018 Activism is everywhere. From our neighbourhoods to boardrooms, national crusades to local causes, there is no shortage of people clamouring to bring pressing, worthy issues to our attention. And business is no exception, hence the rise of a new type of chief executive: the “activist”. This creature takes many forms: publicly outspoken, actively involved in [...]
Trump tweets after Xi Jinping meeting give global stock markets boost December 3, 2018 Donald Trump and Xi Jinping have agreed a 90-day respite from from the two countries’ spat over trade tariffs, causing Wall Street to jump as it opened and giving global stock markets a shot in the arm overnight. In customary fashion, Trump took to Twitter after a two-and-a-half hour dinner between the Chinese and US [...]
Trade is a long game, so we must look beyond FTAs and make marginal gains December 3, 2018 New York and London frequently vie for the crown when it comes to the title of the world’s leading financial centre. But as well as competing, we share a special relationship. The Big Apple was the first stop on my visit last week to the United States, which came at an opportune moment as the [...]
Microsoft regains top spot from Apple as world’s most valuable company December 1, 2018 Microsoft has moved ahead of Apple to become the most valuable listed company in the world after it ended Friday with a market value of more than $851bn (£667bn). It is the first time Microsoft has held the top spot in 15 years and rounds off a disappointing November for Apple. The iPhone maker's value was $847bn at [...]
Oil prices hit one-year low after worst month since financial crisis November 30, 2018 Oil prices are struggling at more than a one-year low following its worst month since the financial crisis ten years ago. It has plunged 21 per cent during November, losing the returns it made throughout the year. Europe’s main share indexes in London, Frankfurt and Paris all sank, and Wall Street futures were pointing down [...]
Christmas truce: Apple Music arrives on Amazon’s Echo device next month November 30, 2018 Silicon Valley rivals Apple and Amazon are cosying up next month to give customers an early Christmas present, by enabling Apple Music streaming on Amazon’s Echo speaker. In an apparent thawing of relations, Amazon announced this morning that Echo owners would be able to ask its voice-activated assistant Alexa to play songs, artists, albums and playlists [...]
What happens when the ‘FAANG’ stocks lose their bite? November 29, 2018 There can be little doubt about the stars of world markets in recent years. The US has led the way, with tech companies to the fore and, at the very front of the march, the so-called ‘FAANG’ stocks of Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix and Google. Still, remembering the old stock market adage ‘Tall trees do [...]
Owned-social networks are replacing Facebook as a way for brands to market to their communities November 27, 2018 Two months ago, I helped Blewbury in Oxfordshire become the first village in the UK to launch its own social network. We were inspired by the MP Matt Hancock, who during his tenure as digital minister launched a social network for his constituency. His decision to call it “Matt Hancock” attracted much media attention. But [...]