HSBC

  • Moody’s downgrades HSBC rating to negative outlook.
  • Credit rating is the key cost of goods sold variable for banks so this should be monitored carefully for any investors.
  • The negative outlook on HSBC Holdings’ ratings is driven by the execution risk attached to the planned repositioning of HSBC Bank and of the group’s US business“. These businesses are 34% of risk weighted assets. HSBC has been restructuring for nearly a decade.
  • and our expectation of subdued profitability in 2020 and 2021. It also reflects pressures on asset quality and profitability in Asia due to a more difficult operating environment in Hong Kong and the rest of the region

Last Minute Christmas Gift?

  • Looking for that last minute Christmas present?
  • How about a subscription to The Browser.
  • The Browsers sends you a daily email with five recommended articles on every imaginable topic.
  • As an investor it is important to broaden one’s reading as wide as possible. This Browser gives you just that.
  • Good curation is the hardest part of the internet, something Snippet stands for as well.

Cloud Computing

  • What is happening with cloud computing at large is to think about what the total spend in technology today is, it’s around 5% of GDP. On a secular basis, I think it’s going to be 10% which is going to double in the next 10 years. And that’s because every industry, whether it’s in retail, whether it’s in healthcare, whether it’s in manufacturing, they’re all being transformed by digital technology and this technology stack we have and the platform approach Microsoft has, means we will be able to participate in that 10% on the doubling of tech spend, but more importantly, really helping the global economy grow because of digital technology. And that’s what I think is the way to think about our opportunity.” Microsoft CEO
  • Sometimes it is about thinking about the big picture runway. Microsoft (MSFT) have a long one in front of them.

VC Investing by Sector

  • Interesting chart showing year on year change in Venture Capital investing by sector in Europe 2019 vs. 2018.
  • This is useful to track for equity market investors – it shows you where capital is being added.
  • Fintech, Enterprise Software and Energy are top additions, while Fashion, Home living and Transport seeing less money going in.

Online Ad Targeting

  • Two years ago Apple introduced Intelligent Tracking Prevention for Safari browser in mobile and desktop.
  • This meant that advertisers lost the ability to target ads on Safari.
  • It has been remarkably successful – the cost of reaching Safari users has fallen 60% in the last two years, while other browsers have risen.
  • That is a huge change in the landscape especially in mobile where Safari market share is 53% and tend to be higher value eyeballs.
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