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Oil Prices Start The Week Lower Amid Uncertainty Over Trump’s Policies

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 20, 2025

Oil prices have opened the week on a downward note, as the market shifts focus to the incoming US President, Donald Trump. One of his first anticipated actions in office is the potential easing of sanctions imposed on Russia by his predecessor, Joe Biden.

Key Market Developments

Brent crude futures dropped by 0.28%, trading at $80.56 per barrel.
US light crude remained relatively steady, losing just 2 cents in the previous session, now sitting at $77.88 per barrel.
Despite the drop, both benchmarks posted a 1% increase last Friday, marking a fourth consecutive week of gains. This followed sanctions targeting Russian oil giants Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegaz, actions that disrupted the Russian oil industry, potentially cutting supplies by 700,000 barrels per day.

These sanctions have sent Moscow’s major customers, notably China and India, on the hunt for alternative oil sources, driving up delivery prices significantly.

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The Focus Shifts To Trump’s Inauguration

The market’s attention is now squarely on Trump’s inauguration, with speculation about what immediate decisions he may make. Analysts expect Trump to announce moves designed to stimulate the economy, such as lifting the moratorium on licenses for US liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, a step aimed at bolstering US energy exports and market influence.

Market Outlook: Uncertainty Looms

While recent sanctions on Russia have put pressure on global oil supplies, particularly impacting the flow of nearly 1 million barrels per day, analysts from ANZ suggest that the recent price hikes may be temporary. Trump’s pledges to swiftly end the Russia-Ukraine conflict could lead to the easing of some sanctions, potentially stabilizing the oil market and softening prices shortly. The direction Trump takes on this issue will be crucial in determining the future of both global energy supplies and oil prices.

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.