Commercial Awareness with Watson’s Daily business and financial news
Watson’s Daily is a newsletter that improves your commercial awareness. In this podcast, the writer of Watson’s Daily talks about the week’s news and its implications. Peter Watson, an ex-stockbroker with 13 years at investment banks in London and Tokyo, breaks down key business and financial markets news in an approachable way. He also occasionally discusses career-related matters based on his experience as an ex-headhunter.
Episodes
Episode 959: the impact of the UAE leaving OPEC...
In this episode, Ralph and I talk about what the UAE quitting OPEC means for OPEC and the Middle East...
Episode 958: Three potential scenarios...
Ralph and I talk about three potential scenarios for what we're seeing at the moment...
Episode 957: Bank of America's big boo-boo...
In this episode, Ralph and I talk about Bank of America's massive mistake this week...
Episode 955: What happens now with the tariffs??
In this episode, Ralph and I discuss what's next for Trump's tariffs after the Supreme Court decision late on Friday night...
Episode 954: how to play the AI bubble
In this episode, Ralph and I talk about the AI bubble that's freaking out investors at the moment and why the sell-off of ALL AI names isn't a good idea...
Episode 953: Gold and thoughts on AI and the massive SpaceX deal...
In this episode, Ralph and I talk about what could be behind the collapse in the gold price (and it's perhaps not what you think), the effect of AI on jobs and education and then the implications of SpaceX's acquisition of xAI.
Episode 952: Is AI just used as an excuse for job cuts?
In this episode, Emma Dulinkova and I talk about Amazon's decision to cut 14,000 jobs and whether companies are just using AI as an excuse to sack people they were going to cut anyway...
Episode 951: Weekly with Ralph - Superapps vs Driverless taxis in London...
In this episode, Ralph and I talk about the potential for superapps and whether driverless taxis will work in London (and what that might mean).The chat about superapps was prompted by a story this week about OpenAI's chief pursuing this with increasing functionality of ChatGPT and Elon Musk's previously-stated desire to make a superapp along the lines of WeChat in China.The chat about dri
Episode 950: Weekly with Ralph - Bubbles and the London market...
In this episode, Ralph and I talk about bubbles in gold, bitcoin and AI as well as the sad decline of the London stock market as a global financial force...
Episode 949: Weekly with Ralph - TrumpRx and grief AI
In this episode, Ralph and I talk about Trump's new pharma-portal (is it actually as good as it sounds?) as well as the moral and practical implications of AI in grief tech...This episode was recorded on Sunday 5th October 2025
Episode 948: Weekly with Ralph - US trade tariffs and insulting your boss
In this episode, Ralph and I talk about the latest goings-on with US trade tariffs and whether insulting your boss is a sackable offence...This episode was recorded on Friday 5th September 2025
Episode 947: Weekly with Ralph - Trump loading the bases and how to value OpenAI
In this episode, Ralph and I talk about Trump tightening his grip on the Fed and how stellar valuations are being justified for OpenAI...
Episode 946: Weekly with Ralph - Trump vs Powell and why VPNs are suddenly so popular...
In this episode, Ralph and I talk about Trump's latest assault on the Fed chief and why VPNs are suddenly so popular!
Episode 945: ONS failure vs Xiaomi's impressive new car
In this episode, Duncan and I look at the ONS's ongoing failure and Xiaomi's amazing new car launch...
Episode 944: Tricky booze vs Musk's super-app
In this episode, Duncan and I talk about Pernod Ricard's woes and Musk's desire for X to become a super-app...
Episode 943: Starbucks's China crisis vs whether AI really does make you stupid!
In this episode, Duncan and I talk about what Starbucks should do about its declining business in China and whether AI really does make you stupid (an MIT study says it does!)...
Episode 942: Crypto frenzy vs what's up with WhatsApp?
In this episode, Duncan and I talk about the latest crypto-related IPO and what's going on with WhatsApp and its decision to show ads...
Episode 941: Weekly with Ralph - businesses and WW3 vs the future of power
In this episode, Ralph and I talk about whether it's a good idea for businesses to prepare for WW3 in 2027 and what the future of electricity looks like...just your usual light-hearted chat on a Friday afternoon 😁
Episode 940: Weekly with Ralph - Trump's tariff troubles
In this episode, Ralph and I talk about the dramatic developments for Trump's tariffs this week and why they actually matter...
Episode 939: Weekly with Ralph - the Big Beautiful Bill and virtual research analysts...
In this episode, Ralph and I talk about Trump's centrepiece bill that passed by just one vote. We also talk about UBS using virtual analysts and what that means not just for the equity research profession - but for other professions as well!
Episode 938: Chinese EV tech vs Virtual analysts...
In this episode, Duncan and I talk about why Chinese EV tech is winning over customers and whether virtual analysts at UBS are a sign of the future in both finance and other professions...
Episode 937: Weekly with Ralph - is Trump winning the trade war and how AI could be monetised...
In this episode, Ralph and I talk about whether Trump's "winning" the trade war and how AI could be monetised using Spotify's model...
Episode 936: Farmer issues vs how Spotify can monetise AI...
In this episode, Duncan and I talk about how the new US-UK trade deal will affect farmers and how I think Spotify could potentially use its model to monetise AI...
Episode 935: US-China tariffs vs vintage gold
In this episode, Duncan and I talk about the US-China tariffs and the rise of vintage!
Episode 934: Weekly with Ralph - Trump's masterplan and the death of "traditional" search...
In this episode, Ralph and I talk about why Trump is doing what he's doing re tariffs and trade agreements as well as whether "traditional" search is dead...
Episode 933: What to consider when buying a property!
In this episode, Carla and I talk about what things to consider when you are buying a property. This is another example of where "commercial awareness" crosses over with personal finances! I hope that this helps you. The first part of this is in Episode 930.
Episode 932: Merz's rollercoaster day vs US leisure sector gloom...
In this episode, Merz survives a very dramatic day while American hotel chains and airlines fret about the outlook...
Episode 931: Warren Buffett's retirement vs Trump's film tariffs...
In this episode, Duncan and I chat about Warren Buffett's retirement and the shock of Trump's film tariffs...
Episode 930: How commercial awareness affects YOUR finances!
In this episode, I chat with Carla Hoppe, founder of Wealthbrite, about how commercial awareness and your personal finances intersect. We look at how inflation, growth and market movements directly affect what goes into YOUR pocket!
Episode 929: Tesla's CEO search vs AI investment bankers...
In this episode, Duncan and I talk about leadership succession at Tesla and the consequences of AI in investment banking...
Episode 928: Ikea's new store vs Amazon's dilemma...
In this episode, Duncan and I talk about the new Ikea store in Oxford Street and the tariff impact on Amazon's actions...
Episode 927: Weekly with Ralph - EV battery breakthrough and the future for Tesla...
In this episode, Ralph and I talk about the amazing development announced by CATL - an EV battery that gives you 520km of juice in a charging time of just 5 minutes - and what the future holds for an embattled Tesla
Episode 926: Advertising slowdown vs OpenAI's new social media platform......
In this episode, Harshinii and I talk about the slowdown in advertising spend and the potential new OpenAI social media platform...
Episode 925: Hermes success vs dodgy Nike trainers...
In this episode, Harshinii and I talk about how Hermes has managed to overtake LVMH and whether you really should "cut out the middleman" and buy your Nike trainers direct from the Chinese factories that make them...
Episode 924: UK business confidence vs Neil's new thing...
In this episode, Harshinii and I talk about weakening UK business confidence and Neil Woodford's intriguing new venture...
Episode 923: Weekly with Ralph - tariff-geddon and parallel universes...
In this episode, Ralph and I talk about why Trump changed his mind on tariffs and we discuss whether an alternative universe being built...
Episode 922: Weekly with Ralph - ALL the tariffs and consequences...
Trump caused a massive worldwide kerfuffle with his sweeping tariff announcements this week. Ralph and I chat about what happened and what the consequences might be...
Episode 921: Weekly with Ralph - Trump vs law and the IPO slowdown...
This week Ralph and I discuss Trump taking on the law and whether the IPO pipeline is living up to the hype...
Episode 920: Trump's shocking crypto move...
Did you see today's shocking news about Trump's new stablecoin?? I asked Charlie Morris, crypto and gold expert and CIO of Byte Tree, his thoughts on the president's latest foray into crypto...
Episode 919: Weekly with Ralph - will the US become uninvestable and is Tesla going to die?
In this episode, Ralph and I consider whether the US is becoming uninvestable and whether Tesla is sliding down a very slippery slope...
Episode 917: Trump on education and what's happening to Musk's companies...
In this episode, Gabriele and I talk about Trump's cuts in education and the prospects for Musk's companies...
Episode 916: Obesity drugs and the future for American tourists...
In this episode, Szonja and I talk about Novo Nordisk's disappointing news and how behaviour towards American tourists may change in light of the Trump/Musk onslaught...
Episode 915: Weekly with Ralph and the reawakening of Europe...
In this edition, Ralph and I talk about the reawakening of Europe and why it's SO important to follow what's going on in the world right now!
Episode 914: How Germany, Europe and the UK might finance defence spending......
In this episode, Szonja and I talk about how Europe, Germany and the UK might be able to finance increased defence spending - the new reality!
Episode 913: Negotiation expert schools me in what Trump's ACTUALLY doing...
Last Friday's debacle in the White House showcased Trump in full "negotiation" mode with Zelenskyy. I asked Giles Morgan, founder of Kahvay and negotiation expert, what is actually driving Trump's behaviour. This was a fascinating chat and Giles clarified a lot of things!Follow Kahvay on https://kahvay.com/Sign up to the free negotiation blog on https://blog.kahvay.com/If you wan
Episode 912: Weekly with Ralph about Germany's new beginning and WTF is going on with Trump (part 2!)
Ralph and I recorded this pretty much at the same time as Trump humiliated Zelenskyy in front of a world audience (we didn't know this was going on at the time! We only found out afterwards). What we said here turned out to be VERY true 😱...
Episode 911: Farmer strife vs Tesla's downfall...
In this episode, Gabby and I talk about farmers' woes and why Tesla's on a losing streak...
Episode 910: Office property consolidation in the UK?
In this episode, Chris and I talk about what's happening with commercial property and whether there's going to be consolidation on the horizon!
Episode 909: Weekly with Ralph and WTF is going on with Trump vs the World??
Ralph went on holiday for two weeks. During this time, it seems that the New World Order has emerged and everything we thought we knew was turned upside down! We discuss our latest thoughts (I say latest because things are changing by the day!)...
Episode 908: Musk's power trip vs Trump chaos
In this episode, Gabi and I talk about Musk throwing his weight around in the White House and Trump's tariff bonanza...
Episode 907: DeepSeek reflections from an AI company founder...
In this episode, I ask the founder and CEO of AI company BotsForThat, Daniel Lawrence, what he makes of the DeepSeek news and what it means for AI now and in the future...
Episode 906: DeepSeek deep thoughts 💭
In this episode, Gabby and I talk about DeepSeek - its story so far, the impact on AI, thoughts around it and what the future holds...
Episode 905: Why private credit is a big deal!
In this episode, I discuss with Legal Liz why private credit is such a big deal and why it really matters to the financial industry!
Episode 904: The Weekly Chat with Ralph
In this episode, Ralph and I talk about crypto/memecoins and the latest dramatic developments for energy...
Episode 903: Themes for 2025 (part two)
In this episode, Ralph and I look at three more themes to look out for in 2025...
Episode 902: Themes for 2025 (part one)
In this episode, Ralph and I look at the themes we identified last year and whether they worked out as we predicted. We also talk about two themes for this year as well! Part two comes tomorrow!
Episode 901: Why companies are leaving London...
In this episode, Legal Liz and I talk about why companies are leaving London for New York (or Frankfurt)...Legal Liz is a legal expert at a mystery investment bank 😁
Episode 900: The prospects for bitcoin and gold for 2025
Here's the first podcast of 2025! 2024 was a tricky year for me for various reasons, but the podcast is back again! Apologies for the absence. Anyway, in this episode, Charlie Morris, CIO of ByteTree Asset Management and I have a chat about bitcoin and gold. Do YOU think that both or either of these assets is moon-bound this year??
Please note that none of the content here constitutes advice!
Episode 899: Peter & Ralph's Weekly Chat (Week commencing September 9th 2024)
In this episode, Ralph and I talk about the latest in the US presidential race, why crypto may be a "store of value" and whether Australia's move to ban teenagers from social media is a good idea...
Episode 898: AI's effect on cybersecurity & industry consolidation...#WeAskWatson
In this episode, I talk to experts Richard Neale and Vlad Botic about AI's effect on cybersecurity and Thoma Bravo's acquisition of Darktrace...
For more info on Richard go here:
Richard Neale, CEH, ISO LI | LinkedIn
For more info on Vlad go here:
Vlad Botic | LinkedIn
Episode 897: What's with CrowdStrike?? #WeAskWatson
In this episode, I talk to Richard Neale, a cybersecurity expert, about what the deal is with CrowdStrike. There's a log of hysteria going on at the moment (understandably) so it's good to get an expert's perspective! You can find more out about Rich here:
Richard Neale, CEH, ISO LI | LinkedIn
Episode 896: Peter & Ralph's weekly chat (week commencing 15th July 2024)
In this episode, Ralph and I talk about the CrowdStrike disaster and the sunglasses love-triangle between EssilorLuxottica, Meta and Supreme...
Episode 895: More luxury woes vs Adidas's rebound...#WeAskWatson
In this episode, Duncan and I talk about Richemont playing into the downbeat luxury trend and why Adidas is rebounding while Nike isn't...
Episode 894: Hotel Chocolat vs EV hopes...#WeAskWatson
In this episode, Duncan and I look at what's next for Hotel Chocolat and hopes about EVs providing a boost for car sales...
Episode 893: Peter & Ralph's weekly chat (week commencing July 15th 2024)
In this episode, Ralph and I talk about Trump getting shot, Macron's self-imposed disaster and what lies ahead for the new labour government.
Episode 892: South China Sea vs VW buying into Rivian...#WeAskWatson
In this episode, Alina and I talk about some rather concerning developments in the South China Sea and why VW's deal with Rivian could help both sides...
Episode 891: Shein's IPO vs Frasers/THG/BNPL...#WeAskWatson
In this episode, Alina and I talk about the pros and cons of Shein's proposed IPO and why Frasers and THG getting together is a very clever idea...
Episode 890: More US tech restrictions vs Mission 2025...#WeAskWatson
In this episode, Alina and I talk about the US putting more tech restrictions on China and how the "Mission 2025" group is pushing back against the "greenlash"...
Episode 889: Review of 2024's themes so far with Peter & Ralph...
In this episode, Ralph and I revisit the themes we talked about at the beginning of this year (populism, near-shoring/deglobalisation, renewables/nuclear, AI profitability and corporate migration to the Middle East/India) and review developments until now.
Episode 888: the haves vs the have-nots...#WeAskWatson
In this episode, Duncan and I talk about why it doesn't feel like inflation is falling and how working at UK investment banks is getting VERY compelling (uncapped bonus, anyone??)...
Episode 887: Nvidia vs Warehouse rooftop solar panels...#WeAskWatson
In this episode, Duncan and I talk about Nvidia's triumph and the potential for solar panels on the rooftops - of warehouses!
Episode 886: Peter & Ralph's weekly chat (w/c June 10th 2024)
In this episode, Ralph and I react to the release of the prospectuses this week of the main parties and whether AI will kill creativity...
Episode 885: Nike vs highly paid lawyers...#WeAskWatson
In this episode, Duncan and I talk about what Nike needs to do to get itself back on track and thoughts about high salaries of newly-qualified lawyers (in some law firms)!
Episode 884: Peter & Ralph's weekly chat (w/c June 3rd 2024)
In this episode, Ralph and I discuss the upcoming election, AI in the world of finance and the positive prospects for IPOs...
Episode 883: Peter & Ralph's Weekly Chat (week commencing May 7th 2024)
In this episode, Ralph and I talk about "good news" for the UK and prospects for the UK's IPO pipeline...
Episode 881: EVs in Europe vs China…#WeAskWatson
In this episode, Duncan and I talk about the huge contrast between EV fortunes in Europe vs China and what a realistic future might look like for EVs…
Episode 882: Arm’s prospects vs IPO prospects for the London market…#WeAskWatson
In this episode, Duncan and I talk about how Arm could benefit properly from AI and why the London IPO drought could be over soon…
Episode 880: Lab space to save Canary Wharf vs Wayve’s exciting potential…#WeAskWatson
In this episode, Duncan and I talk about whether lab space is the answer to the Canary Wharf exodus and the exciting prospects for Wayve…
Episode 879: Peter & Ralph's Weekly Chat (week commencing 22nd April 2024)
In this episode, Ralph and I talk about the potential death of the diamond industry and "the curse of 35"!
Episode 878: Peter & Ralph's weekly chat (week commencing 15th April 2024)
In this episode, Ralph and I discuss Shell's threats to ditch its London listing and go stateside. We also chat about a more realistic future for EVs...
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