#stock market outlook 2020

[darkmaga-retard]

John Ellis

Aug 05, 2024

1. Stock markets tumbled on Monday, with Japanese shares at one point exceeding their 1987 "Black Monday" loss, as fears of a U.S. recession sent investors fleeing from risk while wagering that rate cuts would be needed to rescue growth. The safe haven yen and Swiss franc surged, as crowded carry trades unravelled, sparking speculation that some investors were unloading profitable trades to get money to cover losses elsewhere. Such was the torrent of selling that circuit breakers were triggered on stock exchanges across Asia. (Source: reuters.com)

2. Taiwan stocks ended down 8.4% on Monday, a record slump, with tech stocks including TSMC plunging as investors sold off one of Asia's top performing markets this year, spooked by a poor outlook for global tech stocks and the U.S. economy. The main index shed 1,807.21 points, its worst one-day percentage fall, to close at 19,830.88, the lowest level since April 23. The decline was fuelled by a sell-off in tech, and then spread more broadly as the index dipped below the key 20,000 level. (Source: reuters.com)

3. Earlier today, South Korea's stock market marked its worst session since the global financial crisis of 2008, with trading curbs activated for the first time in four years, as tech stocks slumped amid U.S. recession fears. The benchmark KOSPI stock index ended the session down 8.8% at 2,441.55, its biggest percentage fall since Oct. 24, 2008. During the session, the KOSPI fell as much as 10.8%, triggering circuit breakers for the first time since March 2020, which are trading curbs activated when the index falls or rises more than 8% and halts trading of stocks and derivatives for 20 minutes. (Source: reuters.com)

4. A closely watched measure of expected US stock market turbulence surged to its highest level in almost four years today as a global stock sell-off gathered pace. The Vix index of expected volatility in the S&P 500 — commonly known as Wall Street’s “fear gauge” — rose to as much as 41.8 points by morning in London to its highest level since November 2020, breaking above an intraday peak in March 2023 following the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. The Vix measures the price of options that enable investors to profit from swings in the S&P 500. (Source: ft.com)

5. U.S. pension funds are beginning to explore investments around bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, a move that could expose millions of former teachers, police officers, firefighters and other retirees to the wild ups and downs of a largely unregulated financial product. In at least five states, industry lobbyists have aggressively hawked the idea, aiming to woo local lawmakers with the promise that digital assets can deliver sky-high profits — often without fully acknowledging the possible risks. The emerging sales campaign contrasts with the broad warnings in Washington that investing in cryptocurrency could leave retirees’ life savings vulnerable to “fraud, theft and loss.” (Source: washingtonpost.com)

6. After more than a decade as a recurring tea-time conversation topic, the delay in retirement is nearing reality in China, set to impact over 500 million workers as the country grapples with a rapidly aging population. The five-year reform blueprint, released last month following a key Communist Party gathering, includes a commitment to raise the retirement age. According to the resolution adopted at the Third Plenum of the party’s 20th Central Committee, China will gradually increase the statutory retirement age based on the principle of “voluntary participation with appropriate flexibility.” For the first time, a key policy document outlines the principles of the reform, fueling expectations that the decade-long initiative will soon be implemented. (Source: caixinglobal.com)

[allthecanadianpolitics]

The latest look at Metro Vancouver’s rental market by Canada’s federal housing agency provided a grim outlook that’s likely no surprise to tenants across the region.

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s new Rental Market Report showed the vacancy rate for purpose-built rentals in Greater Vancouver fell to 0.9 per cent last year, down from 1.2 in 2021 and 2.6 in 2020 at the height of the pandemic.

The figure put the Vancouver vacancy rate far below the national average of 1.9 per cent.

“In terms of rents, in the region, we’ve seen increases across the board — two bedroom market rents in Vancouver are now in the order of $2,850 per month, and that compares with $2,000 per month for units that have been occupied for longer times,” he said.

“That 43 per cent difference is very challenging for anyone whos looking to move, it’s a strong disincentive to moving since if you were looking for an identical unit across the hall or even down the street you would be facing a significant rent increase.”

The report found Toronto had the second most expensive rental market, with a two bedroom averaging at $1,770.

Victoria’s vacancy rate edged upward to 1.5 per cent on an increase in rental stock, but rents were still up about 7.7 per cent, with a two-bedroom averaging at $1,699 — good for third place nationwide.

Kelowna rounded out the top four with an average two-bedroom renting for $1,690.

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Tagging: @politicsofcanada

[nicklloydnow]

“Is China about to have its ‘Lehman’ moment? After Chinese property developer Evergrande filed for bankruptcy protection in the U.S., that’s been the question some have whispered. The country’s debt crisis that’s rumbled on for two years is coming to a head, with China’s shadow bank sector now defaulting on payments.

(…)

Last week, Evergrande filed for protection in the U.S. under Chapter 15 of the bankruptcy code, which helps keep creditors at bay when a company is restructuring. Evergrande’s debt is held mainly by Western investors, hence filing in Manhattan.

It’s been at the center of the Chinese property sector’s debt crisis, which first unfolded in 2021 and has reared its head again this summer. Nearly two years ago, Evergrande defaulted on making interest payments on bonds, which sparked a set of failures across the Chinese property sector.

Companies accounting for roughly 40% of China’s home sales have now defaulted on debt since the crisis first unfolded. This has led to unfinished homes and ‘ghost cities’, supply chain disruptions and institutional investors out of pocket.

(…)

It’s not the only property developer struggling this week. China’s Country Garden Holdings is looking to restructure its bond repayments totaling $535 million over three years to stave off financial trouble.

(…)

Given real estate is estimated to make up 30% of China’s GDP, there are fears the contagion in China’s real estate market could spread and create a downward spiral of the property market depressing growth.

Last week, there were rare protests in Beijing after bank subsidiary Zhongrong defaulted on several investment products without immediate plans to repay its clients. Its parent company, Zhongzhi, manages $138 billion in assets, 10% of which are exposed to the real estate market.

Moody’s has previously stated that the increased amount of defaults from property developers has raised Chinese banks’ non-performing loan rate to 4.4% by the end of last year, up from 1.9% in 2020. China’s property sector is also considered the world's largest asset class, worth around $62 trillion, so any further signs of trouble could lead to the Chinese government intervening.

(…)

As for the Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong, it’s officially entered a bear market. Around half the stocks on the index are now oversold, and it’s lost 11% of its value in August so far, which sets the scene for the Hang Seng’s worst performance since October.

The fear has spread to the U.S. markets in August, with the S&P 500 suffering three straight weeks of decline. The Nasdaq lost 5.5% in value in the same period, while the Dow Jones has seen a 3.2% decline.

Several banks have also downgraded China’s GDP growth outlook, which was previously estimated at 5% for 2023. Nomura now predicts 4.8% growth, with the likes of Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan and Barclays all following suit.”

“Country Garden Holdings Co., the distressed Chinese developer that earlier this month missed interest payments on some dollar bonds, is leaving investors in the dark about the exact date the grace period ends.

That’s adding to signs of opaqueness in the nation’s offshore junk debt market, which has lost $87 billion in the past two years.

One of China’s biggest developers, Country Garden must repay a combined $22.5 million in two coupons within the grace period, otherwise creditors could call a default that would be the developer’s first on such debt. That would threaten even worse impact than defaulted peer China Evergrande Group given Country Garden has four times as many projects.

(…)

China’s worsening property debt crisis has prompted a slew of developers including Evergrande to use grace periods in recent years. In many cases, doing so has only bought time before they eventually went on to default, adding to record debt failures.

Growing concerns that the same fate could strike Country Garden, which had 1.4 trillion yuan ($192 billion) of total liabilities at the end of last year, have dragged Chinese junk dollar bonds deeper into distress under 65 cents. The market value of Bloomberg’s index for the securities, mostly issued by builders, has shrunk to only about $44.7 billion from some $131.8 billion two years ago.”

[biz-bites]

Nvidia’s 10% Plunge Triggers Tech Selloff: Worst Chip Stock Day Since 2020

unexpected 10% stock drop sent shockwaves through the tech industry, leading to the worst day for chip stocks since March 2020. This plunge was driven by concerns over market saturation, regulatory challenges, valuation concerns, and increasing competition in the AI chip space.

The ripple effect impacted major players like AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm, as well as semiconductor ETFs and related industries. While reminiscent of the March 2020 crash, this event was more sector-specific.

Despite short-term volatility, the long-term outlook for the semiconductor industry remains positive, fueled by AI, 5G, and IoT trends. Investors are advised to focus on fundamentals, diversify their portfolios, and maintain a long-term perspective.

Key areas to watch include AI advancements, automotive sector growth, data center expansion, and edge computing evolution. While the current turbulence is significant, it's important to remember that the semiconductor industry continues to be a cornerstone of technological progress.

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[palmoilnews]

GRAINS-Soybeans steady after China's plans to probe Canadian canola lift prices CANBERRA, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Chicago soybean futures eased slightly on Wednesday, after rising sharply in the previous session as Beijing announced an anti-dumping investigation into imports of canola from Canada raised hopes that China could buy more U.S. soy. Wheat and corn futures also edged lower after rising sharply on Tuesday. FUNDAMENTALS The most-active soybean contract on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) Sv1 was down 0.2% at $10.10-1/2 a bushel, as of 0055 GMT, after climbing 1.2% in the previous session and reaching its highest in a month. CBOT wheat Wv1 was down 0.1% at $5.66 a bushel and corn Cv1 slipped 0.3% to $4.08 a bushel. All three contracts are close to their lowest levels since 2020 due to plentiful supply. Speculators are betting that prices will fall further. ICE canola futures RSX4plunged and Chinese rapeseed oil futures rallied after China responded to Canadian tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles with the canola probe. More than half of Canada's canola makes its way to China, the world's biggest oilseed importer. Overseas demand for U.S. soybeans has been lacklustre but recent days have seen an uptick in export inspections and sales reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Meanwhile, the USDA reported that weekly condition ratings for the U.S. soybean crop declined more than most analysts expected in the last week as dry conditions expanded in portions of the Midwest crop belt. Stubbornly dry weather continues to linger over 20%-25% of the U.S. soy and corn crops, mainly in the Ohio Valley and far northwest U.S. Midwest areas, Commodity Weather Group said on Tuesday. The USDA's corn condition ratings held steady. MARKETS NEWS Asian shares and global stock futures fell amid a tech selloff, while the dollar and yen rose on safety bids and U.S. Treasury yields edged lower as investors fretted over the outlook for the world's largest economy.

[trendingreportz]

Pet Food Market - Forecast(2024 - 2030)

Pet Food Market Overview:

The Pet Food Market size is estimated to reach $90 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 8.4% during the forecast period 2023-2030. Pet food is a specialty food for domesticated animals and is formulated to meet their nutritional requirements such as meat, grains, cereals, meat by-products, vitamins and minerals. It is available in supermarkets/hypermarkets & pet stores and customized to the types of animals such as cats, dogs, fish and other pets.

Increasing demand for Premium Pet Food Products and rising pet ownership across developing economies are expanding the Pet Food Market opportunities. Rising health awareness among customers and attraction towards organic products are also driving the Pet Food Market growth. As per American Veterinary Medical Association, pet ownership for cats has increased to 29% in 2022. For dogs, it has increased to 45% in 2022. This represents the Pet Food Industry Outlook.

Pet Food Market Report Coverage:

AttributeSegment

By Food Type

Semi-moist Foods

Kibble Foods

Canned Foods

Veterinary

Nutritional Foods

Others

By Animal Type

Cat

Dog

Rabbit

Birds

Fish

Ferrets

Others

By Nature

Conventional

Organic

By Price

Premium

Mass

By Source Type

Animals

Plants

Cereals

Others

By Packaging

Stand-up pouches

Tin cans

Premade multi-layered pouches

Bags Roll stock

Corrugated boxes

Others

By Distribution Channel

Offline Platforms

Online Platforms

By Geography

North America (the US, Canada and Mexico)

Europe (Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, Russia and the Rest of Europe)

Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia & New Zealand and the Rest of Asia-Pacific)

South America (Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia and the Rest of South America)

The Rest of the World (the Middle East and Africa).

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COVID-19 / Ukraine Crisis - Impact Analysis: 

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the supply chain of the animal feed industry. The different animal nutrition food items, vitamins and medicines including pet pharmaceuticals were out of stock.

The Russia-Ukraine war has impacted the supply chain and resulted in high input prices. In the short term, rising product prices in the domestic market contributed to increased earnings for producers.

Key Takeaways:

Dominance of North America Region

Geographically, North America led the Pet Food Market with a 37.3% share of the overall market in 2022. This is due to the increasing innovation by pet food manufacturers and rising pet adoption in the region. In 2020, as per American Pet Products Association National Pet Owners Survey, 63 million households or 74.6% of all households have dogs as pets.

Canned Food Segment holds the largest market share

According to the Pet Food Market forecast, the Canned Food Segment held the largest Pet Food Market revenue of $18 billion in 2022. The segment is estimated to grow at the fastest CAGR of 9.5% during the period 2023-2030. This is due to increasing consumer desire for feeding their pets nutritional food rich in vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber and other elements that are crucial to a balanced diet.

Premade Multi-layered Pouches Segment is anticipated to grow faster

As per the Pet Food Market analysis, the Premade Multi-layered Pouches segment is estimated to grow at the fastest CAGR of 9.8% during the forecast period 2023-2030. It is due to the durable structure, puncture-resistance protection and proper closures for pet food products, driving the segment growth.

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Increasing innovation by pet food manufacturers

The major competitors in the market are focusing on the launch of a number of pet food products to meet the needs of different types of animals that belong to different age groups. This is anticipated to fuel the expansion of the pet food industry. For instance, In November 2020, Nestle Purina introduced pet animal food that builds on alternative proteins to make better use of global resources. The range includes insects and plant proteins from millet and fava beans.

Rising health awareness among customers toward the organic product for pets

Customers are now more aware of the ingredients in their pet food. The market for organic pet food is increasing rapidly as a result of pet owners' growing attention to the health and welfare of their pets. The increasing number of health problems affecting pets has influenced pet owners to choose organic pet food over conventional options. These factors are contributing to the key Pet Food Market trends during the forecast period. In 2020, organic pet food consumption was worth $22 billion.

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Imposition of strict regulations hamper market growth

Pet food comes with some of the strictest regulations out there, especially in western markets. Pet animal products are strictly examined in developed markets at every stage from the ingredients used in food preparation to their sales and marketing. The high stringency involved with commercialization is one of the major factors hampering the growth of the pet food industry.

Key Market Players:

Product/Service launches, approvals, patents and events, acquisitions, partnerships and collaborations are key strategies adopted by players in the Pet Food Market. The 10 key companies in this industry are: 

Mars Pet care, Inc. (PEDIGREE®, NUTRO)      

General Mills (Chex, Lucky Charms)

Nestle Purina Pet Care (Purina ONE®, Purina® Pro Plan®)    

The J.M. Smucker Company (Meow Mix®, Rachael Ray®)

Hill’s Pet Nutrition (Hill's® Science Diet®, Prescription Diet®)

Diamond Pet Foods (Diamond V®, DIAMOND PRO89)         

Simmons Pet Food (Twin Pet, Strongheart)

Global Pet Care (DreamBone, Good 'n' Fun)

Agrolimen SA (Advance Junior Maxi, Ultima Leche)

Deuerer (Katze, Wau)

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Scope of Report:

Report MetricDetails

Base year considered

2022

Forecast period

2023–2030

CAGR

Growing at the rate of 8.4%

Market Size

90 billion USD

Segments covered

Food Type, Animal Type, Nature, Price, Source Type, Packaging, Distribution Channel and Region

Geographies covered

North America (the US, Canada and Mexico), Europe (Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, Russia and the Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia & New Zealand and the Rest of Asia-Pacific), South America (Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia and the Rest of South America) and the Rest of the World (the Middle East and Africa).

Key Market Players

Mars Pet care, Inc.

General Mills

Nestle Purina Pet Care

The J.M. Smucker Company

Hill’s Pet Nutrition

Diamond Pet Foods

Simmons Pet Food

Global Pet Care

Agrolimen SA

Deuerer

[blockinsider]

PlanB Remains Optimistic About Bitcoin, Citing Stock-to-Flow Model Evidence

Key Points

Despite the ongoing downward trend, Bitcoin (BTC) price may soon reach a new all-time high, according to the stock-to-flow (S2F) model.

Increased global adoption and institutional investment in Bitcoin are contributing to the bullish outlook.

Despite the recent downward trend in the price of Bitcoin (BTC), several technical and fundamental models suggest that it could soon reach a new all-time high.

Crypto analyst PlanB, known for his accurate predictions using the stock-to-flow (S2F) model, believes that Bitcoin is still in a macro bull market.

Surge in Bitcoin Adoption

The global adoption of Bitcoin has seen a significant increase, particularly after the approval of spot BTC ETFs in several jurisdictions, including the United States.

Institutional investors such as MicroStrategy Inc and Metaplanet Inc have started incorporating Bitcoin into their investment portfolios and balance sheets.

On-chain data reveals that institutions holding more than 1k Bitcoins have been aggressively accumulating in recent months.

Long-term Bitcoin investors have added over 184,500 BTC coins in the past few weeks, despite market volatility.

US spot Bitcoin ETFs, led by BlackRock’s IBIT, currently hold approximately $50 billion in BTC coins.

On a single day, these ETFs accumulated coins worth around $45 million, while BTC miners received half of this amount.

Bitcoin’s hash rate has also reached an all-time high, making the network more secure with an increased number of participants in the mining industry.

Midterm Price Predictions for Bitcoin

Technically, Bitcoin’s price has been consolidating in a bullish flag for the past five months, indicating a potential major breakout.

The current price correction of Bitcoin is reminiscent of the 2015-2017 post-halving bull cycle.

Some experts have compared the recent price drop to $49K to the 2020 Black Thursday caused by the Covid-19 outbreak.

Despite predictions of a bearish trend for Bitcoin and the entire crypto industry in August and September, a potential bullish breakout in October and November could push the price towards $100k.

However, it is expected that the Bitcoin market may start shifting to the altcoin industry, triggering the much-anticipated altseason.

Bitcoin’s dominance has risen to a significant resistance level above 57 percent, with the weekly Relative Strength Index (RSI) suggesting a potential reversal.

[erebusvincent]

Powell warned Wednesday that cracks are starting to form in the labor market, and the sudden jump to a 4.3% unemployment rate is the latest piece of evidence.

On Thursday, the stock market underwent a bit of a reset, with the Dow falling more than 600 points as America may be entering a new phase of the economy — a slowdown in hiring. The broader S&P 500 tumbled 1.5% and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite dropped a stunning 2.5%.

Those fears extended globally, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 plunging 5.8% Friday, the index’s biggest daily drop since March 2020.

US stocks fell further Friday after Amazon and Intel reported dreadful earnings and outlooks as the transition to AI has proven costly while its prospects remain uncertain. The bad jobs report sent stocks sinking even further: The Dow fell 800 points, or 2.3%. S&P 500 futures were down 2.6% and Nasdaq futures were 3.1% lower.

It’s been a turbulent few weeks for markets, as some earnings reports have underwhelmed and fear about increased regulation of tech and lackluster AI performance have soured investors’ moods. Companies have reported US consumers have pulled back from restaurants and retailers, and this week some preliminary jobs data looked weak.

[accapitalmarket]

Bank of England cuts rate, UK100, GBP drop

UK stocks dropped on Thursday, while the pound declined, after the Bank of England (BoE) announced a 25-basis point cut in interest rates to 5.00%, with the underlying tone of the central bank’s news conference hawkish

Five members of the nine-strong BoE Monetary Policy Committee voted in favour of the first rate cut since March 2020, including Governor Andrew Bailey, while four preferred to maintain the bank rate at 5.25%.

However, Bailey said the bank is wary about "cutting too much too quickly" and added that policymakers "still face a question" about whether more persistent parts of the inflation calculation are on course to return to target.

The BoE decision came hot-on-the-heels of the Federal Reserve on Wednesday when the US central bank voted unanimously to maintain the federal funds rate range at 5.25% to 5.50%.

However, Fed chair Jerome Powell said in his press conference after the latest policy meeting: "We think the time is approaching … and a rate cut could be on the table at the September meeting.”

Much could depend on Friday’ US non-farms payrolls data which is expected to show the pace of hiring eased to 175,000 in July, down from 206,000 in June. Ahead of that key data, after big gains in the previous session, US benchmarks dropped back sharply on Thursday.

On the foreign exchanges, the UK rate cut move saw the pound shed 0.6 pc against the US dollar to 1.2774, while, versus the euro, sterling lost 0.3% at 1.1840.

At the stock market close in London, the blue-chip FTSE 100 index was down 1.0%, to 8,283, while the broader FTSE 250 shed 0.7%, at 21,459, with both benchmarks reversing after an initial bounce on the rate cut news.

A big batch of results was the main corporate focus. Rolls-Royce was the top FTSE 100 gainer, jumping 7.0% after the aero engines maker raised its full-year guidance following a strong first half performance, and said it will reinstate dividends with the finals.

High street clothing and homewares retailer Next added 8.3% as it also increased its profit outlook after second quarter results which showed full price sales rose 3.2% year-on-year.

And medical equipment manufacturer Smith & Nephew gained 6.8% after its interim profits came in ahead of market expectations, helped by the company's turnaround plan.

But funds firm Schroders dropped 9.7% as it posted a fall in first half net operating income even as it announced record high assets under management of £773.7 billion.

Among the mid-caps, discount carrier Wizz Air dropped 22.6% as it swung to a first half losses and raised fears of a price war among airlines. Peer easyJet fell 4.2%, and British Airways parent International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG) – which reported its latest results after the market close - shed 3.5%.

Disclaimer:

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[gazetteweekly]

Digitalisation: A Double-Edged Sword for Consumers and Financial Systems, Says RBI Report

In its Report on Currency and Finance (RCF) for 2023–24, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) highlighted the transformative yet challenging impacts of digitalisation on consumer behavior and financial systems. Released on Monday, the report underscores how the convenience and accessibility brought by digitalisation can also lead to impulsive spending, herd behavior, and heightened risks of data breaches.

Benefits and Risks of Digitalisation

Digitalisation undoubtedly enhances the ease with which consumers can access financial services. However, it also introduces new risks. The RBI report points out that the rapid spread of financial trends and choices through digital platforms can influence consumers to follow the crowd, leading to impulsive spending and herd behavior. This is particularly evident during market frenzies, where mass buying or selling of stocks can trigger similar actions from other consumers.

Moreover, the interconnected nature of the digital financial system can complicate financial stability. For instance, widespread withdrawal of deposits due to herd behavior could lead to bank runs or failures.

Data Breaches: A Growing Concern

The report also highlights the growing threat of data breaches. In 2023, the average cost of a data breach in India was $2.18 million, marking a 28% increase since 2020. Common attacks include phishing and the use of stolen or compromised credentials. These breaches pose significant risks to both consumers and financial institutions.

Implications for Monetary Policy

Digitalisation impacts inflation, output dynamics, and the transmission of monetary policy in various ways. The report suggests that if digitalisation shifts credit supply from regulated banks to less-regulated non-banks, it could dampen the effectiveness of monetary policy. As such, central banks must integrate digitalisation considerations into their models to ensure effective monetary policy and financial stability.

Proactive Measures and International Collaboration

The RBI has been proactive in leveraging the benefits of digitalisation while mitigating associated risks. Digitalisation holds the potential to boost India’s external trade in goods and services, particularly in modern services exports. It can also reduce the cost of international remittances, benefiting recipients through higher incomes or savings.

In a significant step towards enhancing cross-border payments, the RBI joined Project Nexus, aiming to interlink domestic Fast Payments Systems (FPS) across several countries, including Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. This follows the integration of India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with Singapore’s PayNow, facilitating faster and more affordable remittances between the two nations. Similarly, an MoU with the Central Bank of UAE aims to link India’s UPI with UAE’s Instant Payment Platform (IPP).

The Rise of UPI

The report highlights the explosive growth of UPI, which has seen a tenfold increase in volume over the past four years. From 12.5 billion transactions in 2019–20 to 131 billion in 2023–24, UPI now accounts for 80% of all digital payment volumes in India. As of June 2024, UPI is recording nearly 14 billion transactions monthly, driven by 424 million unique users.

Future Outlook

Cross-border digital trade policies will be crucial in leveraging new opportunities and ensuring data security and cybersecurity. The internationalisation of the rupee is also progressing, supported by a comprehensive policy approach.

In summary, while digitalisation brings significant benefits, it also poses new challenges. The RBI’s report emphasizes the need for a balanced approach to harness its advantages while managing the associated risks to consumer behavior, financial stability, and data security.

[tritonmarketresearchamey]

UAV Battery Market: What’s Next?

In 2020, the total global consumer UAV or drone shipment was around 5 million units. Estimates suggest this number to reach around 9.6 million units by 2030. Despite the demand, UAVs tend to face short travel range issues, which has elevated the demand for robust electrical protection systems. Subsequently, the increased demand for lithium-ion, fuel cells, and nickel batteries is widening the scope of the UAV battery market globally.

In recent years, battery technologies such as fuel cells have gained momentum with benefits like greater energy density that enables superior control and stability during movement. Doosan’s DS30 drones powered by a 2.6 kW fuel cell is one such example having four to five times the higher energy density than other batteries.

As per industry sources, the battery market has witnessed tremendous technological developments in recent years. This has pushed the production and deployment of UAV batteries, influencing the studied market to evolve at 17.46% between 2022 and 2028.

UAV Battery Market: Progression Backed by Funding

Military investments and government support for drone technology have soared immensely, elevating UAV battery stocks. In line with this, operating players are streamlining their portfolios regarding components and affordability. This growth is majorly observed in North America and Asia-Pacific.

The Asia-Pacific UAV battery market is expected to witness the fastest growth at a CAGR of 18.01% due to rising investments in battery R&D and defense budgets, such as:

China, for instance, invested $293 billion in its 2021 defense budget, focusing primarily on security & surveillance, fueling the deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles.

The Indian government liberalized drone rules by announcing a 100% subsidy for using UAVs in the agricultural sector.

The Japanese government is developing an autonomous combat drone to detect energy aircraft and eliminate any missile strikes. This development project is believed to be a joint undertaking with the US, with a prototype set to be ready for testing by 2025.

Such government measures have sored demand for lithium-based batteries, which leads the market in terms of product type. Their role in supporting long cycle life and energy efficiency in UAVs propels the segment’s growth. Hence, companies like Shenzhen Grepow Battery are launching high-technology lithium batteries to gain a competitive edge in the market.

However, geographically, North America UAV battery backs the highest position in 2021, with a CAGR of 17.54%. This growth is attributable to increasing military funding, with the United States accounting for a major share. For instance:

The US Department of Transportation FAA invested $2.7 million to support research on UAVs used in disaster preparedness, creating a high demand for Li-ion, fuel cells, etc.

The Federal government allocated around $7.5 billion to the Pentagon for the employment of numerous robotic technologies, including UAVs, for air, ground, maritime, and other domains.

Transport Canada introduced a Drone Strategy to 2025 program to provide a strategic vision for drones, raising awareness about their significance and untapped economic potential that will drive the sector’s growth.

Industry-wise Outlook: Surveillance Measures Widens Scope

Commercial, consumer, and industry verticals are key categories supporting the market’s growth. Among these, Defense, government, & law enforcement secures the majority of shares in the industry vertical segment. The high demand in the sector has guided companies like Boeing to develop drones like MQ-25 Stingray aerial refueling. In 2021, the drone completed carrier-based testing. And in early 2022, it became the first drone to refuel a Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet. As a result, prominent players like General Atomics Aeronautical and AeroVironment Inc have integrated new technologies to develop high-endurance batteries, thereby creating opportunities for the UAV battery market.

Commercial Drones to Star with Augmented Applications

Over the last few years, the commercial application of drones has expanded from photography to monitoring agricultural land, paving the path for smart operations. Their adoption in the e-commerce sector is also expected to soar over the near future. Companies like Amazon are fueling the adoption with the launch of Prime Air Fixed-wing Drones for delivery purposes. Although the market is projected to strengthen, it faces certain challenges such as:

Issues arise from a series of electrical malfunctions mid-flight and other thermal runaway complications.

Stringent regulations that are restricting the transport of unmanned aerial vehicles.

Nevertheless, the ongoing expansion in industries and capitalization from geographies are projected to create prospects for the UAV battery market over the forecast period.

FAQs:

Q1) What is the size of the UAV battery market?

The UAV battery market was valued at $4500.80 million in 2021 and is expected to attain around $13481.66 million by the year 2028.

Q2) Who are the big players in the UAV battery market?

Plug Power, Intelligent Energy, Sion Power, Eagle Picher Technologies, Inventus Power, Shenzhen Grepow Battery, Epsilor, HES Energy Systems, RRC Power Solutions, and Doosan Corporation are some players studied in the report.

[williammason1]

William Mason: Mastering Market Trends with Expertise

In the fast-paced world of stock markets, identifying reliable trends is crucial for making informed investment decisions. William Mason, a distinguished financial analyst, has developed the "William Trend Momentum Portfolio System" to guide investors in navigating market complexities. This system, based on trend analysis, aims to help investors identify market trends and execute timely buy and sell signals for optimal returns.

William Mason: Insights and Strategies for 2024

William Mason, born in New South Wales in July 1976, has made significant strides in the financial industry. After graduating from Duke University, he joined Goldman Sachs, earning accolades for his expertise and professional achievements. Despite his international success, Mason saw an untapped market in Australian online stock apps during a vacation in his homeland. Recognizing this opportunity, he founded his own stock trading app to provide Australian investors with a reliable and convenient online trading platform.

Mason's journey as an app entrepreneur was filled with challenges. He dedicated considerable time to market research, understanding investor needs, and collaborating with his tech team to continuously improve the product. His persistence and hard work resulted in a comprehensive, user-friendly stock trading app.

To promote his app, Mason leveraged various channels, including blogging, video tutorials, and social media, to share his investment knowledge and attract a broad audience. His efforts have garnered substantial attention, helping his app gain significant traction among investors.

The Current Stock Market Landscape

Nike's Historic Slowdown

In 2024, the stock market has displayed mixed performance, with indices like the Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 showing impressive gains, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average lagged behind. Notably, Nike, a staple in the Dow, has experienced a significant decline, reaching its lowest level since the pandemic-induced plunge of 2020.

Despite Nike's sales nearing all-time highs, the company's future outlook has dampened investor confidence. Revenue growth has stalled, and projections for fiscal 2025 suggest further declines. This situation, coupled with high inventory levels and challenges in key markets like China, has contributed to Nike's stock decline.

However, Mason sees potential in Nike's strategic moves. The company's focus on e-commerce and direct-to-consumer sales could lead to higher margins and better customer engagement. Despite current challenges, Mason believes in Nike's ability to overcome competition and economic hurdles, making it a strong buy for long-term investors.

McDonald's Value Restoration

Similar to Nike, McDonald's has faced difficulties due to price-sensitive consumers. The fast-food giant's price hikes to combat inflation have led to concerns about sales growth. In response, McDonald's introduced the "highly anticipated $5 Meal Deal" and other value promotions to boost traffic and remind customers of the value they offer.

Mason points out that McDonald's is exceptional at returning capital to shareholders through dividends and stock buybacks. The company has consistently raised its dividend and reduced its share count, enhancing shareholder value. Despite short-term challenges, McDonald's robust dividend yield and strategic initiatives make it an attractive investment for patient investors.

Embracing the William Trend Momentum Portfolio System

Mason's "William Trend Momentum Portfolio System" emphasizes the importance of identifying and capitalizing on market trends. By utilizing trend lines, moving averages, and other technical indicators, this system helps investors make informed decisions based on market momentum.

Key Principles of the System

Trend Identification: Recognizing the primary market trend is essential for successful trading. The system uses trend lines and moving averages to identify whether the market is in an uptrend, downtrend, or sideways trend.

Entry and Exit Signals: The system provides clear buy and sell signals based on the identified trends. For example, a crossover of moving averages might indicate a buy signal, while a divergence could suggest a sell signal.

Risk Management: Effective risk management is a cornerstone of the system. Mason advises setting stop-loss orders and adhering to position sizing rules to protect investments from significant losses.

Diversification: The system encourages diversification across different asset classes and sectors to spread risk and enhance portfolio performance.

Practical Application

Using the system, Mason highlights opportunities in the current market landscape. For instance, despite Nike's recent struggles, the stock's significant decline might present a buying opportunity for investors who believe in the company's long-term potential. Similarly, McDonald's strategic initiatives to restore value and its strong track record of returning capital to shareholders make it a compelling investment.

Conclusion: Empowering Investors with Informed Decisions

William Mason's expertise and the "William Trend Momentum Portfolio System" offer valuable insights for navigating the stock market. By focusing on trend identification, clear entry and exit signals, risk management, and diversification, investors can make informed decisions to achieve better returns.

Mason's stock trading app, designed with user-friendliness and reliability in mind, provides a robust platform for Australian investors. To stay ahead in the stock market, download Mason's app and leverage the power of the William Trend Momentum Portfolio System for your investment journey.

William Mason: Navigating Market Trends with Expertise

William Mason's approach to stock market analysis combines deep knowledge and practical strategies. By embracing the principles of the William Trend Momentum Portfolio System, investors can navigate market complexities with confidence. Mason's insights into companies like Nike and McDonald's demonstrate the potential for long-term gains despite short-term challenges.

Download Mason's stock trading app today and take the first step towards informed and successful investing.

[graphaizesmm]

The Sensex Journey to 75k Visualised: Sessions Breakdown

The Sensex, or the S&P BSE Sensex, is a stock market index comprising 30 of the largest and most actively traded stocks on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). Established in 1986, the Sensex is widely considered a barometer of the Indian stock market’s overall health and performance.

Sensex journey to 75k is not just another number but it is history! The benchmark index Sensex hit a new peak, breaching the 75,000 level for the first time on Tuesday, April 9. It took the Sensex 24 sessions to hit the 75,000 mark after hitting the 74k mark on March 6, this year. Also, it has taken Sensex around 80 sessions or less than 4 months to gain the last 5,000 points from 70k levels to 75k.

Major Milestones in Sensex History

20K Milestone

On October 29, 2007, the Sensex scaled the 21,000 mark, a significant rise from its previous lows. This surge was fueled by several factors, including heavy buying by Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs), a drop in oil prices, and strong performance by major companies like TATA and Reliance. It took just 432 trading sessions to jump from 7,000 to 20,000.

50K Milestone

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the Sensex experienced wild fluctuations, plummeting in March 2020 due to a global selloff but rebounding nearly 91% in just over ten months to breach the 50,000 mark on January 21, 2021. This recovery was driven by domestic institutional investors (DIIs) and new-age investors capitalizing on market opportunities.

60K Milestone

Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, the Sensex continued its upward trajectory, closing above the 60,000 mark on September 24, 2021. The growth was bolstered by the surge in Adani stocks and the successful IPOs of small and mid-cap startups, particularly in the fintech sector.

70K Milestone

The Sensex crossed the 70,000 threshold, taking just over 170 active trading sessions to move from 60,000 to 70,000. This milestone was achieved due to the index’s basis on a free-float market cap, reflecting the continued strength of the Indian economy.

75K Milestone

On April 9, 2024, Sensex journey to 75k, a testament to its rapid growth. It took only 24 sessions to climb from 74,000 to 75,000, and less than four months to rise from 70,000 to 75,000, showcasing a remarkable pace of growth.

Factors Behind the Milestones

Several factors have driven the Sensex journey to 75k, including strong corporate earnings, favorable macroeconomic conditions, increased participation from institutional and retail investors due to the growth of Discount Brokers, and significant policy reforms. The growth of key sectors such as technology, finance, and energy also played a crucial role.

Forecasting the Path of Sensex Journey to 75k

As the Sensex continues its upward trajectory, predicting its future journey requires a careful analysis of market dynamics, policy impacts, and investor sentiment. The index’s exponential growth since its inception, with an annualized return of approximately 15%, suggests a positive outlook. However, global economic uncertainties and domestic challenges must be considered.

While the Sensex’s growth reflects India’s economic strength, it also faces challenges. Global market volatility, geopolitical tensions, and domestic economic policies can influence the index’s performance. On the other hand, India’s growing digital economy, rising middle class, and ongoing structural reforms offer significant opportunities for continued growth.

Sensex journey to 75k is a milestone that underscores the resilience and potential of the Indian stock market. Moving forward, maintaining this growth trajectory will depend on sustaining economic reforms, fostering investor confidence, and navigating global uncertainties. Investors and market watchers must stay informed and adaptable to leverage the opportunities and mitigate the risks that lie ahead.

In conclusion, the Sensex journey to 75K is a testament to India’s economic progress and the dynamic nature of its stock market. As we look to the future, understanding the factors that have driven this growth and anticipating the challenges and opportunities will be crucial for continued success. Stay tuned for further insights and detailed analysis on the Sensex’s ongoing journey and its implications for investors and the broader economy.

[inkovsky]

After opening 7 points higher at 18,035 points, the Hang Seng Index once rose 76 points to 18,105 points. Then the trend turned sharply downward and closed at the day's low of 17,799 points, down 228 points or 1.26%. The four consecutive rising trends ended, but it still maintained strength throughout the week. Maintaining an increase of 81 points or 0.45%; the technology index fell 52 points or 1.44% to 3,596 points, with a main board turnover of HK$90.3 billion.

The Hang Seng Index rose to 19,706 points in May and was blocked, and it started to adjust. After the 50-DMA (18,305) fell, it became a resistance, and the 100-DMA (17,412) provided support. If this level is maintained, the market outlook will still be promising. Since the market entered July, trading has continued to be weak. The Hang Seng Index has mostly been in a low-first-then-high pattern on trading days. The volatility during the month was only 464 points, which is still relatively small. The remaining trading days of this month may be even greater amplitude point appears. However, due to the continued sparse trading volume in the market, under the lack of motivation, even if the market can occasionally rise, it may still be a temporary withdrawal after volatility. If the trading volume is not matched, the market's rise will definitely be limited.

The mainland's consumer market is weak, the real estate market has not fully recovered, there are still uncertainties in the economy, and the rebound momentum of the Chinese and Hong Kong stock markets is still weak. Investors are hoping that there may be special news coming out of the Third Plenary Session of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China this month. Investors dare not act rashly. However, if their expectations fail, beware that the stock market is expected to have greater adjustment pressure.

European stock markets developed individually, with British and French stocks closing down 0.45% and 0.26% respectively, while German stocks rose 0.14%.

Although the number of new non-agricultural jobs in the United States in June was higher than expected, it fell back to 206,000 from May, reflecting a slowdown in the job market and strengthening expectations that the Federal Reserve will start to cut interest rates later this year. However, the data also confirmed that the U.S. economy was weakening. U.S. stocks performed repeatedly on Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 139 points in the early stage, reaching a low of 39,168 points. It later stabilized and rose by up to 91 points, reaching a high of 39,399 points; the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq continued to record highs. The index hit record highs at the moment and at the close, rising 0.49% and 0.98% respectively during the session, reaching highs of 5,570 points and 18,366 points.

At the close of the U.S. market, the Dow rose 67 points, or 0.17%, to 39,375 points; the S&P Index rebounded 30 points, or 0.54%, to 5,567 points; the Nasdaq rose 164 points, or 0.9%, to 18,352 points. Last week, the Dow fell 0.5%, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq rose 1.5% and 2.8% respectively.

The U.S. dollar index fell 0.29% to 104.825; the yen rose 0.58% to 160.35 per dollar. The pound rose by up to 0.46%, reaching a high of $1.2819, rising for 7 consecutive days, the first time since July 2020. The euro traded at $1.0845, up 0.3%.

[acquisory]

RECORD LOW GDP, RECORD HIGH STOCK MARKET - WHY SUCH DICHOTOMY

Empirically, stock market performance and broad macroeconomic trends have had a strong positive correlation. A couple of notable examples include the market crash of the 1930s following the period of the great depression and the crash of 2008 following the contagion impact of the global financial crisis. In 2020, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic unleashed a similar sell-off in the global stock markets as countries worldwide initiated complete lockdown programs that further tormented the economy and devasted many livelihoods. The prolonged global lockdown dragged the world economy into recession with many countries experiencing massive GDP contraction.

Coronavirus Slump — 2020 Q3 GDP growth in select countries (in %)

With such an economic outlook unfolding, the bear traders would have jumped the gun and extensively shorted the stock market. Much to their surprise, they witnessed a one of its kind bull rally that took the global stock markets to record high levels.

Increase in Global Stock Markets (in %) from Mar’20 to YTD

The global stock markets witnessed an influx of unprecedented buying with most of the global indices achieving record-high levels. Stock markets within the Asian cluster delivered superior performance compared to their European counterparts. Certain indices witnessed 100%+ growth within 9 months. Massive upswings are common in individual scripts, but to see trillion-dollar market capitalization indices deliver such high growth is an addition to the anomalies list of the stock market. It’s evident that Macroeconomics doesn’t guide the markets rather its liquidity that sits on the driving seat.

What led to such unprecedented buying?

To shield the economy from the trickle-down effect of the pandemic-forced lockdown, global economies announced large-scale stimulus packages and ran budget deficits that…

Read More Here: https://www.acquisory.com/ArticleDetails/83/Record-low-GDP_-Record-High-Stock-Market--Why-such-dichotomy

[palmoilnews]

GRAINS-Soybeans rise for second session on bargain-buying; wheat up 1% SINGAPORE, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Chicago soybean futures extended gains on Thursday, as bargain-buying underpinned the market which dropped to its weakest in four years in the previous session due to supply pressure. Wheat gained more ground, while corn rose more than 1%. FUNDAMENTALS The most-active soybean contract on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) Sv1 rose 0.3% to $9.71-1/4 a bushel, as of 0011 GMT, after dropping to its lowest since 2020 in the last session. Wheat Wv1 gained 1.03% at $5.40-1/4 a bushel and corn Cv1 was up 0.3% at $4.02 a bushel. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) raised its forecast for 2024/25 U.S. soybean production to a record level in a monthly outlook on Monday. The lower cost of growing soy versus corn, floods in some areas and a quick winter-wheat harvest drove the U.S. government to raise its soybean-production forecast to a record high, farmers and analysts said. The weather outlook remained benign for corn and soybean crops in the U.S. Midwest. Argentina's current 2023/24 corn harvest will likely reach 49 million metric tons, the Rosario grains exchange said on Wednesday, up about 3% compared to its previous forecast of 47.5 million tons. However, traders are monitoring drought in Ukraine where producers warned that the corn crop could shrink by a third from last year if there is no rain relief. Cheaper Black Sea supplies remained a drag on wheat prices. Egypt's state grains buyer said it bought 280,000 tons of wheat in a tender on Monday, falling well short of its target of 3.8 million tons. This year's rain-affected French soft wheat crop that is set to bring the smallest volume since the 1980s is also showing mixed milling quality, mainly for test weights, farm office FranceAgriMer said on Wednesday. MARKET NEWS Global stocks held steady and government bond yields retreated a touch on Wednesday, after data showed U.S. consumer prices rose moderately in July, as expected, reinforcing investor bets that the Federal Reserve could start cutting interest rates soon.