“Like everyone we are seeing the nickel price crash with the increase in production coming out of Indonesia and their ability using Chinese technology to virtually convert class 2 [nickel] to class 1 at a price people didn’t think was possible”
Infant Formula
“After several years of COVID-19 related disruption and market decline, we are pleased that our a2 Platinum® sales and the English label [infant milk formula market in China] have stabilised compared to 2H23” David Bortolussi, CEO, The a2 Milk Company Ltd
Insurance & Reinsurance
“There's clearly more capacity [in the market] than there was a year ago where there was panic, but that's not a healthy market if it's completely dislocated. So, this is much more orderly” Christian Mumenthaler, CEO, Swiss Re Group
Domestic Economy
“Cost of living pressures will continue to present a challenge to Australian households” Marnie Baker, CEO, Bendigo & Adelaide Bank Ltd
Weather
“Kathmandu has experienced softer trading results since June 2023. A combination of weaker consumer sentiment, the warmest winter on record in Australia and the brand's reliance on winter weight product has resulted in a disappointing first half” Michael Daly, MD, KMB Brands
Aviation & Fuel
“Recently the IEA [International Energy Agency] set an increased target for biojet demand in 2027 by up to 30%…This means that the market is going to be in strong demand for biojet, and given the time to get facility in place, we are in a very good position to take advantage from this tight market we are going to see in the medium term” Stefano Ballista, CEO, Eni S.p.A
Pulp & Paper
“Looking ahead to 2024, we believe that the roughly 1 million tons of softwood production that has been either permanently or indefinitely shuttered will be put upward pressures on prices. However, we don't see prices moving significantly until demand noticeably improves” Juan Carlos Bueno, CEO, Mercer International Inc [one of the world's largest producers of pulp]
Building & Construction
“Like the vast majority of businesses in our industry, it was a slow start, kind of hampered by, I'd say, a nontypically cold start to the year, actually in many markets. Activity has picked up notably in recent weeks” Gene Murtagh, CEO, Kingspan Group Plc [one of the worlds leading roofing & insulation companies]
Commercial Property
“The office leasing market remains highly competitive” Market Statement, The GPT Group Ltd
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Agriculture & Farming
“For Australia, the farmer is in good shape at the moment” Kenneth Seitz, CEO, Nutrien Ltd
Garden, Pools & Outdoor
“I think where we are right now is certainly the pace of deceleration [of garden products sales] has slowed quite considerably” Patrick Hallinan, CFO, Stanley Black & Decker Inc
“Demand for heaters and cleaners, the most discretionary product within the equipment category, saw continued headwinds…We remain confident that the ever-increasing installed base of pools and the need to modernise the older equipment pads and a desire to move towards the connected backyard will present many years of incremental growth opportunities going forward” Peter Arvan, CEO, Pool Corporation [world’s largest wholesale distributor of swimming pools]
Private Equity & Fundraising
“Even within the private equity business, where probably most of the fundraising headwinds the industry has seen is in traditional private equity. And we certainly have seen some headwinds…But in terms of the traditional PE fundraising, it feels better today than it did this time last year. It feels better. I'm not declaring victory yet” John Redett, CFO, The Carlyle Group Inc
Mining & Resources
“Like everyone we are seeing the nickel price crash with the increase in production coming out of Indonesia and their ability using Chinese technology to virtually convert class 2 [nickel] to class 1 at a price people didn’t think was possible” Graham Kerr, CEO South32 Ltd
Commodities & Forecasting
I've spoken often about consensus [forward price estimates] and my high opinion I have with them and how accurate they are at landing the numbers. So I just wanted to show here that they have been absolutely consistent for 10 years. They have never once predicted where the price of iron ore is going in 10 years, not once have they nailed it” Chris Ellison, CEO, Mineral Resources Ltd
Workplace & AI
“When employers don’t provide guidance on how to use generative AI appropriately at work, or even whether it should be used at all, it can create a Wild West of AI cowboys, where some employees are using generative AI in risky ways, some hesitate to use it at all, and others resent their colleagues for doing so” Pete Murray, MD ANZ, Veritas Technologies LLC
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