The Wall Street Journal

Analysis of Trends

1. Insulin Giant Aims to Unlock Elusive Obesity-Drug Market

Novo Nordisk is among one of the few organizations that are licensed to develop a medication that combats obesity. The company announced that it is banking on its obesity drugs to be the key to profitability in the medical industry. The manufacturer, who makes insulin for diabetic patients, is in the process of developing a drug that beats obesity (Roland, 2020). The majority of medics, however, advocate for life-style adjustments as opposed to the use of drugs to combat excessive weight loss. The drug has gained popularity with some employers who include it in their customized medical plans for employees. Regardless of the small number of employers who have taken it up, sales in excess of $1,000 in the first month of the launch are indicative of possible success.

2. Plant-Based Meat Makers Compete on Price

The meatless industry is one of the fastest developing industries globally due to the rising demand for reduced meat intake. The rise of plant-based alternatives to meat is increasingly being purchased, and their potential to rival meat is growing. Very soon, there will be a likelihood that they will be priced below the price of meat. The uptake of the alternatives will translate to reduced spending on meat and increased economic productivity for various homesteads (Bunge & Haddon, 2020).

3. Coronavirus Selloff Reveals the Hidden Mechanics of Financial Markets

Coronavirus Selloff Reveals the Hidden Mechanics of Financial Markets

Continued fear of the implications of the Corona Virus has had a significant impact on stock markets globally. Brands such as Apple, which have outsourced manufacturing in China, were among the hardest hit with failure to meet deadlines interfering with stocks. The realization that the virus has the capability to spread beyond China further caused widespread panic with stocks of different companies performing poorly. The instability in the stock process is, however, expected to normalize with the threat of the virus being controlled significantly across various markets. Gold and Yen have disappointed investors in the market by performing against expectations (Bird, 2020). Panic sell-offs realized reduced margins with the stocks they sold off gaining following increased investor confidence.

4. S. Ports Likely to See Slump in Cargo Volume From Coronavirus

The Corona Virus threat has seen a slump in business for China. The majority of exports to the USA has reduced significantly with the bulk of work in the ports hitting all-time lows. Containers shipping companies have canceled sailings to the USA in the first quarter of the year, representing a decline in revenue and a threat to job opportunities. Businesses that rely on imports from China have also suffered reduced trading activities with Hong Kong and China, which contribute to 63% and 58% of cargo to the USA. The decline in trading activities at the port will have a resulting decline in business activities across different sectors of the economy. This is because the port is a major employer, both directly and indirectly (Paris, 2020).

5. Two Chinese Nationals Indicted in Alleged North Korean Bitcoin Hack

The continued insecurity in the Bitcoin trade has attracted the attention of regulators who are calling for the removal of anonymity associated with the trade. This is after two Chinese nationals infiltrated the system and stole over $250millon in 2018. The hackers managed to clean $100million of the stolen funds. The popularity associated with Bitcoin attracted increased attention to the trade with stakeholders calling for improved measures to control the transfer of Bitcoins. Current legislations of Bitcoin are not sufficient to handle the risks associated with the trade and transfer of Bitcoins (Viswanatha, Talley, & Volz, 2020).

So What Analysis

1. Obesity is one of the major cardiovascular complications in modern history. This involves having excessive body fat and exposes the individual to a host of diseases, among them heart complications, blood pressure, and in some cases, cancer. The majority of the people who are diagnoses with obesity are advised to reduce their weight and make adjustments to their diet. Getting a drug that combats obesity will be a major breakthrough in the industry.
2. Consumption of meat in excessive volumes has been identified as a major contributor to ailments such as diabetes, cancer, and other health problems. This is because meat has a high level of unsaturated fats, which increase the cholesterol levels in our body. Increased exposure to meat consumption will increase the risk of heart diseases and expose consumers to a variety of complications and ailments. Developing a plant-based alternative will serve to reduce the overall exposure and risk of processed meat while retaining the same taste.
3. The widespread panic over the implications of Corona Virus has seen a decline in stocks of companies that have trade activities in China. These companies have performed poorly on various stock markets, and it is a good time to invest in stocks. This is because the threat of the Corona Virus is significantly controlled in different markets. The Chinese economy will resume operations soon, and it will improve its performance in the market. Investors who manage to buy now when the stock prices are low stand to benefit from the readjustment of prices once the market resumes operations and efficiency.
4. The ports offer importers access to different goods from overseas markets and are a source of employment for locals. The decline in imports to Los Angeles and Long Beach will result in significant loss of employment among businesses in the locations. It will also lead to reduced shifts for workers at the port. Traders who import from China and Hongkong will seek alternative markets that offer similar commodities as an alternative. The reduced opportunities for workers at the port will also lead to restructurings to meet the increased operating costs and reduced revenue. This trend will see increased growth of new markets in search of opportunities in the USA with the decline of Chinese exports opening up new opportunities.
5. Investor confidence in trading Bitcoin is an issue of concern due to the increase in insecurity associated with the trade. Due to the lack of traceability in the trade, investors have lost money in purchasing Bitcoins. The continued trend Bitcoin hack has eroded the security associated with the monetary alternative. The trend may result in reduced cryptocurrency purchases for fear associated with the trade. The increased insecurity in cryptocurrency will further see increased demand from investors looking to have measures implemented to improve trade. There have been significant losses in the cryptocurrency trade with hackers managing to infiltrate systems and steal millions of dollars from unsuspecting investors.

Bibliography

Roland, D. (2020, March 3). Insulin Giant Aims to Unlock Elusive Obesity-Drug Market. From The Wall Street Journal: https://www.wsj.com/articles/insulin-giant-aims-to-unlock-elusive-obesity-drug-market-11583231402?mod=business_lead_pos5

Bunge, J., & Haddon, H. (2020, March 3). Plant-Based Meat Makers Compete on Price. From The Wall Street Journal: https://www.wsj.com/articles/plant-based-meat-makers-compete-on-price-11583233200?mod=business_lead_pos7

Bird, M. (2020, March 2). Coronavirus Selloff Reveals the Hidden Mechanics of Financial Markets. From The Wall Street Journal: https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-selloff-reveals-the-hidden-mechanics-of-financial-markets-11583237903

Paris, C. (2020, March 3). U.S. Ports Likely to See Slump in Cargo Volume From Coronavirus. From THe Wall Street Journal: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-ports-likely-to-see-slump-in-cargo-volume-from-coronavirus-11583274643?mod=business_featst_pos3

Viswanatha, A., Talley, I., & Volz, D. (2020, March 3). Two Chinese Nationals Indicted in Alleged North Korean Bitcoin Hack. From The Wall Street Journal: https://www.wsj.com/articles/two-chinese-nationals-indicted-in-alleged-north-korean-bitcoin-hack-11583170682?mod=world_major_1_pos1