Coronavirus

Wuhan virus will shape China’s smart city vision

24 Jan 2020

The metropolis of 11 mln is under quarantine. Big investments in healthcare, AI and even surveillance led by the $50 bln Hikvision and other giants could help curb future contagion risk. That might compensate for less tractable problems: human error and institutional weakness.

China virus scare leaves bling giants exposed

21 Jan 2020

A deadly virus erupted ahead of the key Lunar New Year festival. Compared to the 2003 SARS crisis, the damage to luxury stocks looks modest. Yet Chinese shoppers now make up a third of the $310 bln market for high-end goods. If the disease spreads, the overall hit will be worse.

China’s viral immune system open to economic pox

21 Jan 2020

A bungled swine flu cover-up doubled pork prices last year, taxing the poor. Now a human virus is panicking citizens before the start of what’s usually a $150 bln holiday spending boom. President Xi’s anti-corruption campaign has made officials less venal, not more credible.

Corona Capital: NYSE e-trading, Blue Apron bubbles

19 Mar 2020

Concise views on the pandemic’s corporate and financial fallout: Media and porn giveaways as astute corporate strategy; telephone companies merit a valuation bump as network traffic surges; and a South African motor fuel group hopes to raise $2 bln even as stock markets plunge.

Corona Capital, March 18: Elizabeth Warren

18 Mar 2020

Breakingviews has launched a daily column covering pandemic-related insights that you might have missed. Throughout the day, we’ll bring you shorter-than-usual views with the same financial savvy on companies, economies and capital markets during this important unfolding story.

Corona Capital, March 17: Boeing, AB InBev, Retail

17 Mar 2020

Breakingviews has launched a daily column covering pandemic-related insights that you might have missed. Throughout the day, we’ll bring you shorter-than-usual views with the same financial savvy on companies, economies and capital markets during this important unfolding story.

New SARS-like virus tests plague of patent trolls

31 May 2013

A deadly affliction first found in Saudi Arabia has led to squabbles over whether the quest for IP rights has impeded discovery and treatments. The case stretches the law far beyond the smartphone wars. When the stakes are this high, though, greed often plays a lesser role.