There can have been no clearer demonstration of the contraction in economic activity than negative contract pricing for West Texas Intermediate (WTI). News that producers were willing to pay traders to take excess inventory brought home the severity of the global slowdown, but oil gluts are a periodic feature of energy markets, so what is the significance for investors? Click here to get the lowdown on the oil market from Megan Boxall and IC writers.
5G masts have been going up in smoke across the continent as conspiracy theories multiply about the potential ill effects of the technology. Oddly enough, the spread of likeminded theories will be aided by the roll-out of 5G technology, but people are naturally resistant to change. It seems a useful juncture to take stock of what is happening across the 5G market. Click here for our latest review by Nilushi Karunaratne and Lauren Almeida.
Some positive news on the horizon as housebuilders Taylor Wimpey (TW.) and Vistry (VTY) have announced plans to reopen construction sites. Click here to get the thoughts of our property correspondent Emma Powell.
It has been difficult to gauge how demand for data services will hold up in the wake of Covid-19. What is certain is that various end-users will pare back non-critical functions. Against this backdrop, YouGov (YOU) has yet to witness a material impact on trading, though the data group has still been shoring-up its defences. Click here to get Emma Powell’s take on the group’s latest half-year figures.
The wider auto industry was under the cosh even prior to the outbreak, but the cessation of normal economic activity has placed enormous pressure on companies up and down the supply chain. AB Dynamics’ (ABDP) track testing business continues to drive the business forward, but a fall-away in industry R&D presents a gathering problem for the company. Click here for an update on the company’s interim report from Nilushi Karunaratne.
