HSBC, Looking East: The Changing Face of World Markets

According to data from HSBC, China will be the biggest economy in the world by the end of the decade. Indeed, it is thought that by 2030 Asia’s economy could be larger than that of the US and European Union combined.  However, for many European companies, Asia is still an unknown territory which can be seen to offer huge opportunities as well as threats.

Capgemini Global Trade Flow Index Reveals United States Regained First Place Ahead of China in Q4 2010

Capgemini Consulting, the global strategy and transformation consulting  brand of the Capgemini Group, has announced figures from the latest edition of its Global Trade Flow Index*. Its analysis shows continued growth in global trade flows in Q4 2010, with an increase of 2.5 percent, although at a slightly slower pace than the 4.67 percent trade growth recorded in Q3 2010, due to the threat of a sovereign debt crisis in the EU and inflation in developing economies.

Brent Crude Oil Hits $100 A Barrel

The price of Brent crude oil has hit $100 a barrel for the first time since October 2008 on concerns about the political unrest in Egypt.

Analyst David Hunter from M&C Energy Group, one of the largest purchasers of energy in the UK, commented.

"The Brent crude oil price has been inching towards the $100/barrel level for weeks now, and M&C predicted it would breach the target.  All traders needed was a specific reason, and the spreading of North African political unrest towards the Middle East has been the catalyst.

"There are concerns over possible disruption to supply from the Gulf states, particularly via Egypt's Suez canal, which sees as much as 4 million barrels pass through each day by tanker or pipeline.  Although unlikely, should this vital supply route be cut there would be major implications for European supply of oil, and potentially liquefied natural gas.

"In recent days and weeks, we have seen prices at the pump head towards record levels in the UK, and a scandal in domestic heating oil just before Christmas.  While OPEC and Saudi Arabia are moving to reassure Western consumers that supply is plentiful, the effects of the $30 gain in oil prices since the summer are being felt in the wallets of already stretched British consumers."

US Elections - Meg-a-Bucks Gets Beaten By Crazy Jerry

The California Governor's Race - Meg of eBay spent £800m and lost. Jerry Brown spent his pocket money and won.

Why? They liked crazy Jerry, and didn't connect with Meg.

'The Political Brain' by Drew Westen explains, empirically, why this is - emotional response.

Emotion vs. Reason - emotion wins, and a brain scan shows why.

Marketing, the same.

You don't need Meg's money, you need Jerry's smile and empathy.

Capgemini Q2 Global Trade Index Published

Capgemini Consulting, the global strategy and transformation consulting brand of the Capgemini Group, has announced figures from the fourth edition of its Global Trade Flow Index*, which tracks trade by quarter based on the latest available official data...

Capgemini Trade Index - European Business Express

C'Mon Cameron, If Only The UK Was As Efficient As The EU

It's own worst ambassador, as always, the European Union failed to make the case for asking for more money. Instead, it feeds the right-wing intent on demolishing the very many positives the UK gains from the EU.

Not a single spokesperson could be heard advocating the merits of the EU, or the massive achievements enacted from the European civil service, a service which remains tiny, effective and efficient by comparison with the lumbering mammoths found in many of Europe's capitals.

The problem with talking to yourself is that nobody else listens. The European Union must stop talking about democratic deficits and consider the consequences of its own public relations deficiencies.

Score Card: 3 / 10. Could do better Snr Barroso.

Europe's Trade Deficit Widens

The first estimate for the euro area (EA16) trade balance with the rest of the world in August 2010 gave a 4.3 bn euro deficit, compared with -2.8 bn in August 2009. The July 20102 balance was +6.2 bn, compared with +11.9 bn in July 2009. 


In August 2010 compared with July 2010, seasonally adjusted exports rose by 1.0% and imports by 1.8%.


The first estimate for the August 2010 extra-EU271 trade balance was a 17.3 bn euro deficit, compared with -12.4 bn in August 2009. In July 20102 the balance was -6.2 bn, compared with +0.5 bn in July 2009. In August 2010 compared with July 2010, seasonally adjusted exports fell by 0.1%, while imports rose by 1.3%.


Source: Eurostat