The fintech industry suffered even more in 2023, with worldwide investment plummeting by half as rising interest rates and worsening macroeconomic conditions forced investors to tighten their belts, according to global investment estimates provided exclusively with CNBC. According to data from Innovate Finance, a financial technology industry association, investment in fintechs fell by 48% last…
Following a strong market surge, investors who bet against U.S. and Canadian equities had paper losses of $194.9 billion last year, according to data source S3 Partners Research, which released its findings on Thursday. 2023 was deemed by the company to be a “very challenging year” for short sellers due to the S&P 500’s 24.2%…
Massive inflows into US equities funds occurred in the week leading up to December 27, supported by anticipation of an early rate drop by the Federal Reserve following data indicating further cooling of inflation in November. Investors bought U.S. stock funds for a net total of $14.57 billion during the week, which was the largest…
China’s rapidly increasing coffee consumption has sparked fierce competition between domestic and international coffee chains, which in recent months have launched thousands of branded locations, surpassing the total number of coffee shops in the US. Analysts predict that as coffee shops spread beyond Beijing and Shanghai to dozens of mid-sized cities where young professionals have…
Hong Kong’s luxury shops are adjusting to a decline in wealthy Chinese visitors to the city and a change in the type of tourists who visit Instagram-worthy locations in hip neighbourhoods instead of shelling out big bucks for designer clothing. Because of its appeal to affluent mainland tourists, the Chinese Special Administrative Region has defied…
On Thursday, the European Central Bank reaffirmed that borrowing costs will continue at record highs despite lower inflation projections, countering wagers on impending interest rate reduction. The European Central Bank (ECB) did not modify borrowing prices and refrained from mentioning any potential decrease, emphasising that inflation would likely increase and price pressures would still be…
Diamonds have long been coveted, from Greek mythology to Marilyn Monroe’s Hollywood and De Beers’ astute marketing. However, due to the recent collapse in pricing, the once-dazzling stones have started to lose their lustre. “The current softness in natural diamond prices is primarily a correction, following what I would say is a record run up…
In what looked to be a more muted Black Friday than in previous years, consumers descended upon stores worldwide in search of deals on electronics, apparel, and household products as the start of the holiday shopping season—a critical period for major retailers. Brokerage TD Cowen predicted flat Black Friday traffic, so it cut its projection…
In addition to strengthening as an asset class for hedging against geopolitical supply risks, Goldman Sachs anticipates stronger returns on commodities over the next 12 months, driven by higher spot prices amid easing monetary policy and concerns about a recession. Over a 12-month period, the bank projects gains on the oil-heavy S&P GSCI Commodity Index…
“Black Swan” director Darren Aronofsky is directing a biopic on Elon Musk at the New York-based studio A24, according to rep[orts quoting information from a source acquainted with the situation. The source said that A24 has acquired the rights to Walter Isaacson’s biography of the richest person in the world. Protozoa Pictures, director Aronofsky’s production…
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