Uncategorised – Curran Delaney Financial Services

Largest Tech Companies

This week highlighted the sheer scale of big tech, as several of the world’s largest technology companies reported earnings during the week. On Wednesday alone, four of the largest tech companies reported earnings, together with a combined market cap of over $12.5 trillion, representing the largest earnings day in history in terms of market value reporting. At the same time Amazon’s cloud computing business (AWS) business reported a trailing 12 month revenue figure of $137 billion, which is higher than the total revenue of 472 companies in the S&P 500.

Sources: Jefferies, Charlie Bilello. Goodbody Asset Management.

1 May 2026/0 Comments/by Geoff Curran

Uncategorised

Oil, Interest Rates & The Middle East

The US–Israel offensive on Iran has triggered significant volatility across global asset classes, particularly in energy markets and, by extension, interest‑rate expectations. Since the start of the year, a barrel of Brent crude has risen by 40%, with roughly half of that move occurring in the past week alone. Echoing dynamics seen in 2022, the potential impact on European inflation has driven a sharp repricing of ECB rate expectations. Just over a week ago, markets were assigning roughly a 50% probability to an ECB rate cut by year‑end; that has now swung to a 60% probability of a rate hike. Bond markets have also moved meaningfully, with German yields rising across the curve. The 2‑year and 10‑year Bund yields have increased by 25 bps and 20 bps, respectively.

Per the chart below, on the 31st of December, markets were pricing a 20% probability that the next move would be a cut, versus today, it’s a 60% probability the next move is a hike.

source: Bloomberg

6 March 2026/0 Comments/by Geoff Curran

Uncategorised

Happy Shopping !!

Today marks one of the busiest shopping days in the US. Commonly referred to as Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the days following Thanksgiving sees retailers offer significant price discounts to drive consumer spending activity. A record over 183 million people are expected to shop over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

A recent National Retail Federation (NRF) survey found that holiday shoppers are expected to spend a record $902 per person on average across gifts, decorations, food and other key seasonal items. The median weekly full-time wage in the US was $1,165 in Q3, 2024.

So, what are expected to be the most popular gifts? Clothing ranks number one according to the NRF survey (54%), followed by gift cards (44% – for those of us that like to sit on the fence!), with toys coming in third place (36%). Happy shopping!

Source: Goodbody, NRF, Bureau of Labour Statistics.

29 November 2024/0 Comments/by Geoff Curran

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TRUMP 2

The US Federal Reserve started to cut interest rates this year, a reflection of the success achieved in moderating US inflation and also in recognition of the potential emerging risks of its restrictive policy to the US labour market.

While US interest rates are still expected to decline into 2025, it is notable that the number of interest rates cuts expected by the market has been significantly reduced in recent weeks, a consequence potentially of the likely growth (and inflationary) impact of US government policies on trade (tariffs), de-regulation and immigration under a Trump 2.0 administration.

source: Goodbody

22 November 2024/0 Comments/by Geoff Curran

News, Uncategorised

Premier League Money !

The annual Deloitte Football Money League report was published yesterday. Total revenue for the top 20 highest revenue generating soccer clubs in 2021/22 stood at €9.2bn, +13% y/y and only marginally below pre-pandemic levels. Manchester City retained its position at the top of the Money League and for the second time the club generated the highest revenue in world football. As a reminder City only broke into the top five in 2015/16. Unlike the legacy top English teams – Liverpool and Manchester United, who’s matchday income contributes 16% and 18% of total revenue, City’s revenue is largely commercial in nature representing 91% of total revenue. Interestingly, Premier League teams dominated the top of the charts with 11 of 20 top clubs coming from England. The cumulative revenue base of these clubs was €4.9bn, +19% y/y.

Source: Deloitte Football Money League 2023

20 January 2023/0 Comments/by Geoff Curran