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Cyprus’ Banking Sector Drives Major Gains In Nonperforming Loan Recovery

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

November 15, 2024

A recent analysis from Morningstar DBRS Ratings highlights a positive trajectory for Cyprus’ nonperforming loan (NPL) market, outperforming initial expectations and showcasing resilience against broader economic pressures. According to the report, Cyprus’ NPL sector maintained a steady upward trend throughout 2024, aided by strong performance from key projects such as Hestia Financing, Titan Financing, and Capella Financing.

Key Findings on Cypriot NPL Transactions

The report underscores significant improvements in Cyprus’ NPL transactions, where projects Hestia, Titan, and Capella surpassed prior projections in terms of collections. Capella achieved a notable 5.8% increase in its annual collection rate (CCR), with Titan and Hestia also registering growth at 1.7% and 3.8%, respectively. These results reflect an improved outlook for Cyprus’ NPL market, despite some initial underperformance relative to business plans.

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The upgrades follow Cyprus’ ongoing progress in reducing its nonperforming loan ratios, particularly in the mortgage sector, which saw a reduction of 254 basis points (bps)—one of the most significant declines in Europe. DBRS attributes this improvement to proactive deleveraging strategies and the strengthened quality of collateral backing NPL portfolios.

Market Resilience Amid Economic Pressures

Even as the European Central Bank’s (ECB) stringent monetary policy added pressure, the Cypriot NPL market benefited from high demand for foreign labour and a more favourable interest rate environment, helping mitigate the adverse effects. This buoyancy in the real estate sector has encouraged rating agencies to upgrade their outlooks, switching Hestia and Capella’s trends from negative to positive.

The Morningstar DBRS commentary suggests that if these stabilization trends continue, Cyprus’ NPL sector could see further positive adjustments in credit ratings. However, the report does caution that certain projects, such as Titan Financing, face potential risks related to the relatively lower collateralization of senior securities, which could become problematic if collection rates fall short of expectations.

Outlook for Cyprus’ NPL Market

The Cypriot NPL market’s upward trajectory is an encouraging sign of recovery within a traditionally volatile sector. Analysts believe that continued strength in the country’s banking and real estate sectors will be crucial for sustaining these improvements while emphasizing the importance of monitoring collateral levels in individual projects.

The Decline Of Smartwatches: A Turning Point In The Wearable Tech Industry

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 13, 2025

For the first time in history, the smartwatch market is facing a significant downturn. Shipments are expected to drop by 7% in 2024, marking a major shift in a segment that has been growing steadily for over a decade. A report by Counterpoint reveals that while Apple still holds the top spot, its dominance is being challenged by a surge from Chinese brands like Huawei, Xiaomi, and BBK. Even as the overall market struggles, some companies are thriving.

The Big Picture: Why Smartwatches Are Slowing Down

Apple’s flagship products have long been the driving force in the smartwatch market, but even the tech giant is feeling the pressure. The company’s shipments are projected to fall by 19% this year, though it will remain the market leader. Meanwhile, brands from China are capitalizing on the shift, with Huawei showing an impressive 35% growth in sales, driven by the booming domestic market and a broad range of offerings, including smartwatches for kids.

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Xiaomi, too, is experiencing remarkable success, with a staggering 135% increase in sales. In contrast, Samsung is seeing more modest growth, up 3%, thanks to its latest Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra series.

While some companies are succeeding, the broader market is facing headwinds. The biggest factor behind the overall decline is the slowdown in India, where consumer demand for smartwatches has stagnated. The segment is suffering from a lack of innovation and fresh updates, leaving many consumers with little incentive to upgrade their devices. Add to that market saturation, and it’s clear why many users are content with their current models. The Chinese market, however, is bucking the trend, showing 6% growth in 2024.

A Glimpse Into The Future

Looking ahead, the smartwatch market may begin to recover in 2025, driven by the increasing integration of AI and advanced health monitoring tools. As these technologies evolve, the industry could see a resurgence in demand.

Huawei’s Remarkable Comeback

Huawei’s impressive performance in the smartwatch space signals a broader recovery for the company, which has been hit hard by US sanctions. Once the world’s largest smartphone maker, Huawei’s business was decimated when it lost access to advanced chips and Google’s Android operating system in 2019. But in China, Huawei has maintained its dominance, with its market share growing to 17% in 2024.

This resurgence was partly driven by the launch of the Mate 60 Pro, a smartphone featuring a 7-nanometer chip developed in China. Despite US sanctions, the device surprised many with its capabilities, a testament to China’s rising investment in domestic semiconductor production.

In February, Huawei also unveiled its Mate XT foldable smartphone, the world’s first device to fold in three directions. Running on HarmonyOS 4.2, Huawei’s proprietary operating system, the phone further demonstrates the company’s resilience and ability to innovate despite international challenges.

Huawei’s smartwatch offerings are also catching attention, particularly the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro, which launched in September of last year. With a premium titanium alloy design, a high-resolution AMOLED display, and impressive health tracking features, the GT 5 Pro has become a standout in the market, available to both Android and iOS users.

A Brief History Of The Smartwatch Revolution

The smartwatch market has had its fair share of milestones, but the real breakthrough came in 2012 with the Pebble, a Kickstarter-funded project that raised over $10 million. Pebble introduced the world to smartphone integration, app downloads, and long battery life, becoming the first truly mass-market smartwatch.

In 2013, Samsung entered the game with the Galaxy Gear, marking its first attempt at wearable tech. But it was Apple’s entry in 2014 that truly set the industry on fire. The Apple Watch’s sleek design, integration with iOS, and emphasis on health and fitness catapulted it to the top of the market, establishing a standard that many other brands would try to follow.

By 2021, the smartwatch industry had grown to over $30 billion in revenue, with annual growth reaching 20%. Yet now, it finds itself at a crossroads, with innovation stagnating and market saturation taking a toll.