Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin When you unshackle 1.4 billion consumers who have been penned up at home for three years, it’s reasonable to expect some fireworks. For the residents of Mainland China, life under “zero COVID” policies was a dreary round of rolling travel restrictions and lockdowns – as if the United States was permanently stuck on a skipping record of the Spring of 2020. While most of the population was able to find a way to get back to work eventually, the everyday routines of travel, dining out, and visiting friends and family were severely curtailed. Wallets stayed snapped shut. Since China executed its “COVID pivot” in late December 2022, economists have been scrutinizing the data to see if the country will be able to achieve its goal of 5% growth in 2023. If achieved, China will serve as an engine to help developed economies avoid tipping into recession. This is particularly relevant in the new era of higher interest rates, … [Read more...] about Why China’s COVID Comeback Is Still In The Early Innings, With Upside Ahead
Lower mainland internet providers
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew’s Prepared Comments Before Congress
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline Amid growing global concern over the social media platform, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew will testify before the House Energy and Commerce Committee Thursday, where U.S. lawmakers are expected to question Chew over safety concerns for minors and preventing U.S. user data from foreign access. Key Facts In Chew’s first appearance before Congress, he’s expected to discuss the company’s privacy and data security practices, as well as the company’s relationship with the Chinese government, which has come under increased scrutiny in recent months. Prepared Remarks Chair Rodgers, Ranking Member Pallone, and Members of the Committee: Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today to talk about TikTok and our mission to inspire creativity and bring joy to more than 1 billion people worldwide. I look forward to discussing what makes TikTok so special to the diverse audiences it serves, as well as our … [Read more...] about TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew’s Prepared Comments Before Congress
Smart Manufacturing Helps Accelerate Business Growth (Part 2): Focus On Waste, Velocity And Agility
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin John Clemons consults for Rockwell Automation and Maverick Technologies , a leading platform-independent automation solutions provider. Smart manufacturing has taken a lot of information technology and made it work in manufacturing, all the way down to the shop floor. The internet of things, artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), cloud computing, wireless technologies, big data and advanced analytics are all now part of manufacturing operations. They’re having a big impact on manufacturing industries, transforming them back into an economic powerhouse. The important point here isn’t so much about the technologies and their tremendous impact on industry as it is about how they are transforming manufacturing. In these articles, we’re looking at six specific ways that smart manufacturing is transforming manufacturing operations. In the companion article to this one, we … [Read more...] about Smart Manufacturing Helps Accelerate Business Growth (Part 2): Focus On Waste, Velocity And Agility
What To Expect From Walgreens’ Q2?
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Walgreens Boots Alliance (NASDAQ: WBA) is scheduled to report its fiscal Q2 2023 results on Tuesday, March 28. We expect the company to post revenue and earnings slightly below the street expectations, partly due to fewer Covid-19 vaccine administrations vs. the prior year quarter. That said, the company expects strong growth for its international business in Q2. Although we expect the company to post a downbeat Q2, we believe its stock has more room for growth, as discussed below. Our interactive dashboard analysis on Walgreens Earnings Preview has additional details (1) Revenues expected to be below the consensus estimates Trefis estimates Walgreens’ Q2 2023 revenues to be around $33.2 billion, slightly below the $33.4 billion consensus estimate. This compares with the $33.8 billion revenue the company garnered in the prior-year quarter. The company should benefit from growth in the international … [Read more...] about What To Expect From Walgreens’ Q2?
Major Automaker Expects It Will Hemorrhage Billions From Its Electric Vehicle Business
Ford expects to lose $3 billion on its electric vehicle department this year, the company announced Thursday. The company will be reorganizing its financial reporting into three distinct branches, Ford Blue, Ford Model e and Ford Pro, which will develop gas-powered, electric and commercial vehicles respectively, according to a press release. In the three years starting 2021, Ford Model e is expected to report a $3 billion loss. (RELATED: ‘Sustainable’ Electric Cars Are Getting Junked Over Minor Damage) “We’ve essentially ‘refounded’ Ford, with business segments that provide new degrees of strategic clarity, insight and accountability to the Ford+ plan for growth and value,” CFO John Lawler said. “It’s not only about changing how we report financial results; we’re transforming how we think, make decisions and run the company, and allocate capital for highest returns.” Ford’s new structure and way of reporting earnings gives new insight into its EV business (which CFO … [Read more...] about Major Automaker Expects It Will Hemorrhage Billions From Its Electric Vehicle Business
Is Biomass A Friend Or Foe Of The Environment?
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin When it comes to issues around sustainability and energy, there are few subjects less controversial than biomass. Often hailed as a lower carbon option for heating or generating electricity, biomass involves the burning of wood pellets, chips or logs. Its proponents argue that biomass has a key role to play in the road to net zero, using wood that is unsuitable for other products and would otherwise go to waste. But critics have pointed out that biomass still involves burning natural materials, which can pollute the atmosphere. The campaigning group Cut Carbon Not Forest recently published a new survey, which shows 73% of respondents are concerned that burning trees in power stations could be making air pollution worse and harming people's health. The survey also found almost two thirds of those surveyed (64%) agree that it is misleading to call biomass green. And only 3.4% believed burning wood from other … [Read more...] about Is Biomass A Friend Or Foe Of The Environment?