Jul 27, 2021

An unprecedented and intensifying shortage of materials, notably semiconductors, is creating a supply-demand mismatch in Europe's automotive sector that could last until H1 2022. This creates a unique window of opportunity for carmakers to raise prices by +3-6% after nearly 20 years of constraints.

Jul 22, 2021

ECB confirms dovish bias of its new strategy. In its closely-watched pre-holiday meeting, coming close on the heels of its strategy review, the ECB offered its first indications on how the new inflation target - raised from “close to but below 2%” to a symmetric medium-term target of 2% - will be implemented.

Jul 22, 2021

In 2020, Working Capital Requirements in the West increased (+5 days in North America and +1 day across Western Europe) while it dropped in regions such as Latin America (-3 days), Eastern Europe (-2 days) and APAC (-1 day).

Jul 21, 2021

The SPAC party isn’t over yet, but don’t wait up for another phase of record high offerings as seen in 2020 and Q1 2021 — at least in the US. After hitting record highs in both volume and number, and becoming the preferred path over Initial Public Offerings, SPAC (Special Purpose Acquisition Companies) offerings came to a virtual halt in Q2 2021.

Jul 15, 2021

The devil is in the details: The EU carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) will not only become more expensive than anticipated but will likely fail to restore a level playing field for industries heavily exposed to carbon pricing, first because it is an invitation for greenwashing.

Jul 13, 2021

In 2020, the number of live births fell to a new record low in many industrialized countries as the Covid-19 pandemic amplified an aleady existing trend: postponing motherhood.