Eloi Suinot

Deflation takes hold in China

The truce agreed in Geneva between Washington and Beijing raised hopes of a return to normal trade relations. However, this has not been the case: trade flows between the two superpowers continue to weaken and Chinese domestic demand remains sluggish. On both sides of the Pacific, economic fragilities are now apparent, preventing either side from boasting as the second round of negotiations approaches.

June 09, 2025 at 10:19 am

Automotive surplus: Germany takes action to avoid US tax

The US market, which is both crucial and uncertain, has prompted several car manufacturers to suspend their annual forecasts. Germany, which accounts for most of Europe's trade surplus in cars, is stepping up its efforts to protect its interests across the Atlantic.

June 09, 2025 at 03:30 am

Private equity and the difficult equation of capital exits

Private equity funds are said to be sitting on $3.2 trillion in unsold assets. The sector, which has underperformed the S&P 500 over one, three, and five years, is going through a turbulent period. Distributions to investors have fallen to their lowest level in ten years, while asset holding periods are lengthening. Exits rebounded in 2024, but doubts about the terms of these disposals are emerging. This analysis is based on figures from the latest reports by McKinsey and Bain & Company on the subject.

June 06, 2025 at 10:02 am

Trump-Merz: a meeting of contrasts

Last October, Joe Biden hailed Germany as the United States' "closest and most important" ally. Suffice to say that in eight months, diplomatic lines have had time to shift: Friedrich Merz has succeeded Olaf Scholz as chancellor, and Donald Trump is back in the White House. The new German chancellor is the last G7 leader to visit the country this year, just days before key diplomatic meetings: the G7 summit in Canada in mid-June, followed by the NATO summit. And the stakes are high for Berlin, which is in the midst of a trade war with Washington.

June 05, 2025 at 08:53 am

Trade diplomacy: the EU between two fronts

While negotiations between China and the US are stalling pending talks between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump, trade tensions are mounting. Washington has just raised tariffs on aluminum and steel to 50%. It is against this backdrop that Paris is becoming the scene of intense diplomatic maneuvering this week, on the sidelines of the WTO and OECD meetings.

June 05, 2025 at 04:32 am

Bitcoin Conference 2025: between political statements and concrete progress

As Bitcoin flirted with historic highs, the spotlight was on Las Vegas from May 27 to 29, where the sixth edition of the Bitcoin Conference was held. Against a backdrop of increased regulation in the sector, the event took on a decidedly political dimension. Donald Trump's promises will soon be put to the test.

June 04, 2025 at 09:39 am

Hewlett Packard, the promise of AI in the face of challenges to profitability

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) has released its Q2 results, which exceeded expectations, driven by the rise of generative artificial intelligence. Although HPE manufactures traditional servers and network equipment, it is its AI-dedicated server business that is now attracting the most attention.

June 04, 2025 at 09:00 am

Now it's the music industry's turn to give in to generative AI

Less than a year after suing them, Sony, Universal, and Warner are negotiating with generative AI start-ups Suno and Udio. The goal: to grant them licenses for their catalogs. This is a symbolic about-face for an industry that, once again, is being shaken up by technology.

June 04, 2025 at 05:09 am

Wegovy on the rise amongst American teens; between effectiveness and reluctance

(MarketScreener with Reuters) The use of Wegovy, an obesity treatment developed by Novo Nordisk, has jumped 50% amongst American teens in just one year, according to data from Truveta. In 2024, there were 14.8 prescriptions per 100,000 young people aged 12 to 17, compared with 9.9 in 2023. This figure rose to 17.3 in Q1 2025.

June 04, 2025 at 05:01 am

Aedifica and Cofinimmo merge to create a European healthcare real estate giant

This is a turning point in the European real estate landscape. Aedifica and Cofinimmo, two Belgian sector heavyweights, have announced a merger agreement, thereby creating the largest European portfolio in the healthcare sector.

June 03, 2025 at 09:17 am

Netherlands: political instability returns as government falls

The most right-wing government in Dutch history fell on Tuesday, brought down by the departure of Geert Wilders' Party for Freedom (PVV). The reason: a migration policy that was deemed too timid. This breakup reignites political instability in the Netherlands.

June 03, 2025 at 09:03 am

Cointreau chooses its leader to weather the storm.

On April 7, a few days after Washington threatened to impose 200% tariffs on European spirits, Rémy Cointreau announced the resignation of its CEO, Éric Vallat. Against a backdrop of growing trade tensions and sluggish Chinese demand, the group wasted no time in finding a replacement. It chose Franck Marilly, a luxury industry veteran with 30 years of experience and a solid understanding of the US and Asian markets.

May 28, 2025 at 09:26 am

Antonio Filosa: Elkann's secret weapon to restart the Stellantis machine

The Stellantis board of directors has unanimously decided that Antonio Filosa is the new head of the group. At 52, with 25 years of experience within the company, he was the favorite for internal promotion. His track record and results spoke in his favor. He now inherits the task of reviving a giant that has come to a standstill.

May 28, 2025 at 04:58 am

Toyota optimizes production to better serve North American market

The Japanese car manufacturer will transfer part of its GR Corolla production from Japan to the UK to meet growing demand in North America. Toyota will invest $56m in a dedicated export line at its Burnaston plant in Derbyshire.

May 27, 2025 at 04:48 am

Are we really at the turning point that was predicted in Ukraine?

We were promised a ceasefire. There was talk of a lull. But as we approach halfway through 2025, the conflict in Ukraine seems more entrenched than ever before. And for civilians in the east of the country, the war is just as brutal as before. What has happened between the hopeful diplomatic announcements and an increasingly cruel reality? Here is an overview of the obstacles preventing peace.

May 26, 2025 at 09:39 am

Turbulent times for Coinbase

After integrating the S&P 500, Coinbase announced a hack worth $400m, including customer data. Today, the US Department of Justice is investigating the matter. We also take a look at the situation at Circle, which is hesitating over how to raise the few billion dollars it is seeking.

May 21, 2025 at 04:07 am

Amer Sports reaches record level thanks to the success of Salomon and Arc'teryx

The outdoor sports equipment specialist has performed strongly in Q1, propelling its share price to an all-time high one year after its IPO on the New York Stock Exchange. With a 23% increase in revenue and a spectacular turnaround in net income, Amer Sports is raising its guidance for the year.

May 21, 2025 at 03:53 am

Starmer on a tightrope in the reset of Anglo-European relations

With five prime ministers since Brexit, the UK is still trying to turn the page. Keir Starmer, at the head of a reformed Labour Party, is reaching out to Brussels. Less than a year after coming to power, the prime minister has begun a détente with the European Union as he works to boost British competitiveness. On Monday, he signed several agreements with Ursula von der Leyen at a summit in London, which was described historic. However, the opposition and public opinion remain vigilant: Starmer cannot afford to make it look like he's backtracking on Brexit.

May 20, 2025 at 06:16 am

Triple A: the US is knocked off its pedestal

Last Friday, Moody's withdrew the United States' highest credit rating, the 'triple A'. The rating agency thus joins Standard & Poor's, which started the ball rolling in 2011, followed by Fitch in 2023. The three major agencies are now aligned: the US 'triple A' rating is a thing of the past. On today's menu: the quasi-mystical criteria of rating agencies, the consequences of a downgrade, and a look at the few countries that still hold the top rating at a time when debt reigns supreme.

May 19, 2025 at 09:55 am

Stock finally up this year as Birkenstock raises targets

Birkenstock has raised its forecasts and announces a new international price increase to offset any impact from customs duties. The market indeed likes the news: the German brand already has solid margins and previous price increases have not dampened demand.

May 16, 2025 at 10:13 am

Dick's Sporting Goods acquires Foot Locker for $2.4bn

The sneaker industry is still in motion. After last week's acquisition of Skechers, it is now Foot Locker's turn to come under the Dick's Sporting Goods umbrella. The deal illustrates two contrasting trajectories: Dick's is booming, while Foot Locker is losing momentum.

May 16, 2025 at 04:59 am