Iran Conflict Threatens Chip Makers' Middle East Fuel Supply
"Iran war could cause supply chain kinks: Taiwan and Korea, top chip producers, rely on the Middle East for nearly 70% of their crude oil imports, and 20-25% of LNG imports." - BofA on AI capex
ECB Holds Rate at 2% Amid War‑Driven Risks
#ECB leaves deposit rate at 2.00% as expected. Says war poses upside inflation risks, downside growth risks. Says to decide based on core inflation, transmission strength. Says not pre-committing to particular rate path. https://t.co/9tExdmlBDB
UK's Weak Economy Meets Hawkish Bank, Outlook Grim
The UK has managed to combine the weakest economy with the most hawkish central bank. Bound to end well
No Tax Increases, $40 Trillion Debt Looms
There's zero talk of raising taxes to fund this. $40 trillion in National Debt coming soon... https://t.co/zauvCi19PA
Leading with Purpose: Authenticity Drives Real Impact
What does it take to lead with purpose and integrity? I sat down with Brent Pohlman to talk leadership, authenticity, and building real impact. #Leadership #Sales #Integrity https://t.co/SuydxN6PV7
US Foreign Policy Alienates Allies, Prompting Australian Rethink
An obvious comment on US Foreign Policy: US foreign policy is self-defeating. a. spend a year beating up on allies, threatening to take land (Greenland) from a NATO ally b. wage a trade war against your allies. Sure the tariffs were...
Flip the Script: Embed Clients in Your Agency Rituals
“We don’t adopt your rituals. You adopt ours.” That was the rule at my agency for every client engagement. Most agencies pitch “we become part of your team” like it’s a feature. It’s not. The moment you join their Slack, adopt their tools,...
US Export Sales Flat; Wheat, Soybeans Miss Expectations
🇺🇸U.S. export sales were modest all around last week with wheat and soybeans falling below all expectations. The corn volume is a bit more normal for the week historically but somewhat underwhelming in the context of 2025/26's record pace. https://t.co/3LR2fLgFuR
Cleveland Fed Predicts 3% CPI, Hikes Outweigh Cuts
The Cleveland Fed is now forecasting a 3% CPI Inflation reading for March, up from 2.4% in February. There is now a higher probability of a Fed rate HIKE (8%) in April than a rate CUT (0%). https://t.co/yoWBJBbDDN
Legacy Software Beats Modern ERP—Choose Modernization Now
Considering an ERP system? Your biggest competitor is often your legacy software. Modern cloud vendors like NetSuite and Intacct are alternatives, but the real choice is between staying put and embracing modernization. #ERP #TechModernization #BusinessSoftware https://t.co/hRCVuZop4g
Oil Spike Is Tax, Not Rally, Hits Consumers
Brent near $110. WTI at $96-103. Strait of Hormuz blocked. $XLE at all-time highs. $SPY at 2026 lows. This is not an oil rally. This is a tax on every consumer, every margin, every growth assumption. https://t.co/QUhNdfGuZ7
Europe’s Gas Crisis Sparks Powerlessness, Calls for Referendum
The problem with soaring gas prices in Europe is that it is deja vu all over again when it comes to extreme powerlessness. FWIW - It is hard to imagine Europe gets through this without a voter referendum on powerlessness. Needless to...
Grant Licenses to Producers if Export Ban Looms
If an oil export ban is coming, they should grant export licenses to anyone increasing production
US Waivers De‑Stigmatize Russian Oil, Boosting Putin
Big thanks to @Aaron_Krolik for including me in this great @nytimes story on how Russia is a major beneficiary from the sharp rise in oil prices. Temporary US waivers of Russia sanctions are de-stigmatizing Russian oil and giving Putin a...
UK Yields Surge, Highlighting Limited Fiscal Headroom
UK 2 year yield + 23bps UK 5 year yield +22bps UK 10 year yield +13bps About that fiscal headroom 🤔
Network‑Driven M&A Fuels Rapid Growth for Young Operator
Just finished a conversation with a true operator. "Being boots on the ground. Getting punched in the face."- type of guy. (As he described himself...= He scaled his firm organically from zero to $20M in sales. Then sold it to a strategic,...
Geopolitical Oil Surge Threatens India's Inflation and Rupee
Surging Crude Oil Prices: The geopolitical unrest caused Brent crude oil prices to spike past $115–$118 per barrel. As a major energy importer, this poses a significant risk to India's inflation outlook, the rupee, and corporate profit margins.
BOE Holds Rates, Signals Readiness to Act
BOE ‘stands ready to act’ as it unanimously votes to hold rates https://t.co/5iLfNT8re7 via @tomelleryrees https://t.co/Trmh2hkLBw
Gold Slides as BoE Signals Two 2026 Hikes
#Gold takes more beating as #BoE grows hawkish mkt prices TWO rate hikes in 2026 #forex
Commodity Prices, Not War, Driving Canada’s Inflation Surge
the Canadian government is gaslighting Canadians again to buy into the inflation is rising because of the U.S./Israel vs. Iran war... not true. tell them commodity prices were rising, in an uptrend, and (rising) more strongly than $TSX stocks, before the...
Market Turns Hawkish, Forecasts Only 9bps Cuts in 2024
The market's implied forecasts for Fed rate forecasts through 2026 now only projects -9bps of rate cuts this year. So the market is more hawkish than the Fed's forecast - the market was more dovish than the Fed two weeks...
Fed Shifts to Fewer Rate Cuts, Embraces Higher‑For‑Longer Policy
Fed held at 3.5-3.75%. 7 of 19 members see ZERO cuts in 2026. Dot plot: 1 cut this year, 1 more in 2027. Six months ago the consensus was 3+ cuts. Higher for longer isn't a threat anymore. It's policy. https://t.co/vbJxcKjym9
Walmart's Instant Checkout Flops, Turns to ChatGPT Bot
Conversion rates were 3X LOWER than when users click out to the website... "Put simply, Instant Checkout has been a flop." But Walmart is not giving up -> Walmart is embedding its own chatbot Sparky in ChatGPT, after conversion rates...
Think Fast, Act Faster: Avoid the Waiting Trap
Waiting feels safe. Until it becomes the risk. Great leaders know: pause to think—don’t hesitate too long. Eventually, you run out of runway. #Leadership #VelocityMindset https://t.co/KBBK2Y2nx0
Live Updates: ECB Interest-Rate Decision Unfolds Now
Follow our live blog for the latest news and updates on the European Central Bank's interest-rate decision https://t.co/Nc9piHPEdR via @jrandow https://t.co/nzehlM7joh
Card Spending Rises 5% YoY, Gas Spikes 14%
BofA: Total card spending was up 4.9% y/y in the week ending Mar 14 while total card ex gas spending was also up a solid 4.3% y/y ... gas spending +14.4% YoY https://t.co/wW3Jif21Sp
World Portfolio Shows Limited Drawdowns Amid High Inflation
GS: So far, the drawdown for the world portfolio has been limited, especially compared to stagflationary shocks World portfolio 1-year drawdowns (yellow shading denotes periods with US inflation above 3% and rising) https://t.co/Dv0BimDxGJ
Dollar Surge Fizzles: Limited Follow‑Through After Fed Hold
Limited Follow-Through Dollar Today After Yesterday's Surge: The US dollar rallied strongly during the Federal Reserve’s press conference yesterday as rates jumped in response to what was widely seen as a hawkish hold, especially given Chair Powell’s… https://t.co/L0b4ab2cDv https://t.co/JikD6d1Xxj
Sell a Hack, Then Build the Product
This founder signed 100 paying customers. Her product was a Google Drive folder, Zoom calls, and a Stripe link. Sarah Ahmad 's first startup failed. She built the whole thing. Got into YC. Raised a pre-seed round. But couldn't get...
US 2‑yr Yield Surges, Inflation Breakevens Spike Post‑War
The US 10yr yield is up about 35 bp since the start of the war and the 2yr yield is up about 43 bp. The 2yr break even is up 57 bp to 3.38% and the 10yr breakeven is...
Brazilian Real Set to Rally Amid Higher Oil Prices
We've now reached the point where - four years ago after the invasion of Ukraine - the Brazilian Real began to rally and outperform everyone else. As we settle into a higher-for-longer equilibrium on oil, the same will now start...
Canada’s Inflation Dip Mirrors Slowing Money Supply Growth
Canada's inflation dropped from 2.3% in Jan. to 1.8%/yr in Feb. Canada’s money supply (M3) is growing at 4.0%/yr. That’s a bit below Hanke's Golden Growth Rate of ~6-8%/yr, a rate consistent with Canada's 1-3%/yr inflation target. THE INFLATION STORY = A...
Traders Revise BOE, ECB Rate Forecasts Hours Pre‑Decision
Traders shift BOE, ECB rates outlook just hours before policy decisions https://t.co/HA0mTq7RsS via @greg_ritchie @alicegledhill1 https://t.co/CmyGExhjII
Rising Yields Threaten US Economy More Than Iran Conflict
Yields surging are a far more existential threat than Iran at this point. No — this is not coming from a political angle. The US cannot afford this war. ▪️Interest payments nearing ~5% of GDP ▪️Military spending ramping up ▪️Trade deficits worsening as...
LinkedIn Runs Two Algorithms—Marketers Must Adapt
https://sparktoro.com/blog/why-linkedin-might-have-two-algorithms-and-why-marketers-should-care/ I suspect many of you who follow me here might be interested in @amandanat's latest breakdown of the LinkedIn's algorithm, and why your posts there might not be getting the traction you expect (happens to me, too)
Eurozone Data Imminent: Construction Output, Notes, Q4 Labor Costs
5 min until key EZ data drop; Construction output for, checks notes ... January, and Q4 labour costs.
AI Lily Pond: Which Day Are We Really On?
The AI Lily Pond: Are We on Day 29 or Day 30? by @Timothy_Hughes https://t.co/UeYxopffc9 @DLAIgnite #SocialSelling #DigitalSelling #Sales #SalesTips #SalesLeader #Salesforce #Marketing #Leadership #ArtificialIntelligence #Innovation #Technology #Tech #TechNews https://t.co/vons4157DG
IGG Beats Expectations, Launches £125m Buyback Amid Volatility
#IGG results taken well by the market and increased volatility from Iran crisis adding to activity. Interesting comments about product range, cost reduction, customer acquisition etc. New share Buyback programme of £125m. Strategy Review to report in the Autumn.
China Pledges SE Asian Energy Cooperation While Halting Fuel Exports
China telling Southeast Asia it's ready to work together on energy security is a little... strange... given they're also banning all fuel exports (something Beijing has yet to publicly acknowledge) https://t.co/tm36jPLTKT
BA Exits Air Astana with $30M AA80 Sale
#BA. selling final holding in Air Astana #AA80 for about $30m; good thing to be out of.
Data Shows Social Selling Replaces SEO and GEO
Why the data shows that social selling is the new SEO / GEO by @Timothy_Hughes https://t.co/uVT5YMhhva @DLAIgnite #SocialSelling #DigitalSelling #Sales #SalesTips #SalesLeader #Salesforce #SalesEnablement #Marketing #Leadership #SEO #GEO #ArtificialIntelligence #TechNews https://t.co/5PW10TOssf
SNB Signals Greater Willingness to Intervene in FX
🇨🇭 Stronger verbal intervention language from the SNB: "the SNB's willingness to intervene in the foreign exchange market has increased". https://t.co/yuDHGc7oUG https://t.co/wcrzVudyN7
Psychological Safety, Diversity, and Purpose Build Resilient Teams
🛡️ In this era of technological disruption, resilient teams are your most valuable asset. This video shares the key components of truly resilient teams: psychological safety that allows risk-taking without fear; cognitive diversity that brings different thinking styles; adaptable structures...
Clarity Beats Fancy: Simple Loom Video Outperforms $5k Production
I spent $5k on a fancy explainer video. It had a 10% view-through rate. I recorded a simple screen-share with Loom. It had a 70% view-through rate and drove sales. The market doesn't care about fancy. It cares about clarity....
Trump’s Claim False as Iran Still Disrupts Oil
"Although President Donald Trump says he has 'destroyed 100% of Iran’s Military Capability', the 0% that remains is playing havoc with the global economy by choking off 10-15% of its oil supply." https://t.co/h5NKTbG7R8
China Leads
Sorry it should be Pakistan, India, Singapore, Taiwan, China, Thailand, South Korea and Japan. By volume, China imports the most from Qatar but share of total is also very high so rather exposed.
Rising US Debt Drives Gold and Silver Surge
US national debt just hit ~$39T fueling fiat debasement fears. Gold's parabolic run to $5,000+/oz & silver to $120+/oz? Classic safe-haven hedge against exploding debt, uncertainty, central bank buying & weak dollar. $gld $slv https://t.co/IcA8Eo0nGL
Reserves Meant for Supply Shocks, Not Price Cushioning
Reserves shouldn’t be for cushioning prices at this point… you may never know with the madmen bombing everything in the Middle East, there may be no fuel coming in at all… the reserves are for such times…. If it was...
Eurozone Inflation Below Target as Money Growth Lags
The Eurozone’s inflation comes in at 1.9%/yr. That's below its 2% target. The ECB’s money supply is only growing at 3.4%/yr. That's BELOW Hanke’s Golden Growth Rate of 6%/yr, a rate consistent w/ hitting ECB’s 2%/yr target. INFLATION STORY = MONEY SUPPLY...
European Gas Spikes 30% After Qatar LNG Plant Hit
European gas prices surge 30% after Qatar said the world’s largest LNG export plant was damaged in an Iranian attack (Still TTF futures are far from the record highs of 2022) https://t.co/FC5b6KjHpJ