Economic forecasting & risk assessment

The U.S. has added Tencent and CATL to its blacklist of Chinese military companies, causing Tencent's shares to drop nearly 10%. This designation warns U.S. businesses of potential restrictions on Pentagon contracts.

Citi has downgraded CME Group to neutral, anticipating muted growth after two years of double-digit revenue increases. The firm prefers to wait for clearer catalysts before investing further, reflecting cautious economic sentiment.

Siemens's Smart Infrastructure CEO emphasizes that the global supply of green energy is insufficient for data centers, urging operators to seek alternative solutions to meet the rising energy demands of AI technologies.

Guardian Bikes, after relocating production to Indiana, still relies on Chinese parts. The company's future may hinge on potential tariffs from Trump, which could incentivize sourcing U.S.-made components.

Consumer tech spending is projected to reach $537 billion in 2025, contingent on the absence of Trump’s proposed tariffs, which could drastically reduce demand and consumer purchasing power by up to $143 billion.

Nippon Steel Corp. has confirmed it is not considering alternatives to its blocked $14.1 billion acquisition of United States Steel Corp., as both companies pursue legal action to salvage the deal.

The Bloomberg Daybreak Asia podcast provides insights into foreign exchange markets and the Federal Reserve's outlook, emphasizing the importance of real-time market analysis for economic forecasting.

China is expanding its weather market to commercial operators, driven by the increasing demand for high-resolution forecasts due to extreme weather events, highlighting the critical need for improved satellite data.

On January 6, 2025, Congress certified the 2024 Presidential election results without objections, contrasting sharply with the events of January 6, 2021. This smooth process reflects a commitment to democratic norms amidst ongoing political tensions.

President-elect Trump emphasizes his commitment to maintaining tariffs, viewing them as essential for negotiations and revenue generation. This approach raises concerns about balancing tariffs with inflation management as he prepares to govern.

Inflation in the euro zone remains elevated, impacting economic forecasts and market strategies. Analysts are closely monitoring these trends to assess potential implications for European and global markets.

Oil prices have declined for the second consecutive session as demand optimism wanes. However, fears of tighter supply from Russia and Iran due to Western sanctions are limiting further losses.