- by Owen Stuart
- August 13 2018
- Energy & Resources
Lower Standards for Gas May Get a Pass
In August 2018, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced a plan to freeze the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. While freezing the standards would likely stall the climb in fuel efficiency among the US motor vehicle park, ultimately increasing demand for motor vehicle fuel, the sharp legal resistance to the proposed changes will tie up the rulemaking for several years, ensuring that such rules are unlikely to take effect until the legal challenges are resolved. As a result, automakers will conform to previously established 2020 targets that make automobiles more fuel efficient, likely reducing demand for motor vehicle fuel for the next 2-4 years.
- by Owen Stuart
- August 13 2018
- Energy & Resources
Feeling Pain at the Pump? Blame Global Politics
Gas prices across the US have risen, and consumers are feeling the pain. Prices averaged $2.93 per gallon in the US during the month of July, and relief is definitely not in sight. Unfortunately, a confluence of geopolitical events and consumer habits have made petrol pumping prices pretty pear-shaped.
- by Chris Dyer
- July 27 2018
- Materials & Chemicals
- Trade
Trade War: Will PVC Resin Take a Hit?
Price-competitive globally, US producers of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) found extensive opportunities abroad over the past decade, particularly as China and other developing countries built out their infrastructure. In 2017, China accounted for 11% of US PVC exports. As the Trump administration outlines its tariff plans, China has readied its own. Both countries have added a list of second-tier tariffs – primarily focused on chemicals – to be imposed on a case-by-case basis. Will PVC resin make the cut?
- by Owen Stuart
- July 18 2018
- consumers
- manufacturing
- technology
Consumers Fight for the Right to Repair
Ever had an electronic piece of equipment that was awesome – until it broke? When electronics or appliances fail, most repairs must be carried out by a repair shop that has been authorized by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), usually using OEM parts – otherwise, any warranty attached to the product will be voided. Because most customers want to preserve their warranty, OEMs possess considerable insulation from threats of competition in both the service and replacement parts markets.
- by Chris Dyer
- July 16 2018
- consumer goods
The Spy Who Can’t Clean Shag Carpet
With the fast-paced lifestyle of many Americans today – particularly millennials – it comes as no surprise that more and more people are interested in robotic vacuum cleaners, despite them being generally less powerful and more expensive than their traditional counterparts. As more companies introduce their own products, consumers are finding it easier to clean up things like pet hair on hard floors and maintain cleaner homes. Others are growing worried about some of the advertised features, as well as some unadvertised ones.
- by James Lacy
- June 22 2018
- beverage trends
- consumer trends
- water
Watering Down The Beverage Industry
Consumers are increasingly choosing bottled water over carbonated soft drinks and other beverages due to greater awareness of the negative health effects associated with beverages containing sugar and artificial ingredients. Furthermore, the use of flavor drops enable consumers to customize their drink with as much or as little flavor and sugar as they desire.
- by Chris Dyer
- June 22 2018
- consumer trends
- food
- frozen food
- Millennials
Millennials Might Save the Frozen Food Aisle
Millennials have built up quite a list of industries and businesses for which they are responsible for “killing” over the past few years – from restaurant chains and mass-produced beer to starter homes and napkins. Finally, it seems millennials have redeemed themselves in what is arguably the last place one might expect: the frozen food aisle.
- by Chris Dyer
- June 20 2018
- Industrials
- manufacturing
- Materials & Chemicals
- Metals & Minerals
As Aircraft Lose Weight, Will Metal Service Centers Lose Revenue?
Aerospace equipment shipments are projected to see growth through 2022. However, as these aircraft are increasingly designed with lighter composite materials, metal service centers may have trouble adapting to this decline in demand from aircraft producers.
- by Chris Dyer
- June 20 2018
- Metals & Minerals
US Potash Production to Double by 2022
Despite projected minimal declines in demand, US production of potash is set to expand to more than double the production levels seen in 2017 over the next five years as US firms expand. This development is timely, as the US government recently listed potash as crucial to economic and national security.
- by Owen Stuart
- June 18 2018
- consumer goods
- consumer spending
- consumer trends
The Top Jewelry Trends Impacting the Market
Three of the top trends impacting the jewelry and watch market