On Friday, the US government announced that GDP grew just 0.8% in H1. This, of course, was far below the US Federal Reserve’s confident estimate of 3.5-4% for 2011, given only 4 months ago in March. We are indeed in a New Normal. But the consensus simply refuses to recognise the impact on demand of […]
Chemicals and the Economy
Oil prices distorted by Wall St’s computer trading
Crude oil and commodities markets have lost touch with the fundamental realities. This didn’t just happen yesterday, but began a decade ago. That’s the argument put forward by my co-author, John Richardson, in the latest chapter of our new free eBook, ‘Boom, Gloom and the New Normal – how the Western BabyBoomers are changing chemical […]
Gates suggests more energy R&D, less ‘cuteness’
When you’re the world’s richest man, and have committed $36bn to philanthropy, you don’t have to be politically correct. Thus the blog was delighted to see Bill Gates’ interview on energy needs with Wired magazine, where he noted: • “The solutions that work in the rich world don’t even come close to solving the energy […]
Greece closer to defaulting on its debt
Greece is about to become the first developed country to default on its debts since 1964. On Thursday night, Eurozone leaders finally agreed to reduce Greece’s €350bn debts, if only by 21%. They also agreed to take the first steps towards the creation of a European Monetary Fund. After more than a year of defying […]
OECD Indicators show economic slowdown underway
The latest American Chemistry Council (ACC) weekly report has worrying evidence that the global economy may be at a turning point, as stimulus programmes are replaced by austerity. The chart shows the latest leading indicators from the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development). As the ACC warn: “The CLI (green line, Composite Leading Indicator) […]
Petchem markets become more complex
Our annual Asian conference in Singapore (co-organised as always with ICIS) was very interesting this week. We had some fascinating presentations from major companies including Reliance and Thai Oil, and China insights from CICCC and Chemease. Shell’s GM for strategy, Alexander Farina, discussed changes in cost competitiveness between benzene (grey column) and propylene (red) over […]
US consumers focus on needs, not wants
Luxury stores are doing well around the world. The great central bank lending sprees have ensured up-market consumers still have money to spend. But many other parts of the market are struggling, as consumers worry about unemployment. Higher food and energy prices are also reducing their discretionary spend – which, of course, has a direct […]
Global operating rates weaken
The chemical industry is a well-known leading indicator for the global economy. This is because our products are used in so many applications around the world. The above chart of global capacity utilisation, from the American Chemistry Council, paints a subdued picture. In May, capacity utilisation was actually lower than in May last year, at […]
US auto sales disappoint, again
Time was when US auto sales only rarely dipped below 1.1 million/month. Since the Great Recession began, however, they have only rarely been above this level. Analysts are yet to take this change on board. So June’s 1.05 million figure (red square) was described as a ‘surprise’. Yet as the chart shows, most months this […]
The blog’s 4th birthday
The blog is now 4 years old. Its readership continues to expand around the world. It is read in 137 countries and 5379 cities, as shown on the above map. Readers are also incredibly loyal. Over the past year, 39% have visited the blog at least once a week. This is up from 34% in […]
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