Middle East IPO Activity Slows Amid Changing Investment Trends
Middle East IPOs have decreased by a third as the post-pandemic boom in the region's markets diminishes, reflecting a slowdown in new public offerings after a period of rapid growth.
Tag
Post Pandemic
All articles tagged with #post pandemic
Top Tech Jobs and Roles to Steer Clear Of
Tech job postings have decreased by 35% since early 2020, with a significant drop after the pandemic and ChatGPT's release, though demand for AI and machine learning roles remains high. Junior positions now require more experience, and certain roles like SAP are still profitable, reflecting shifts in the tech employment landscape.
'Moana 2' Set to Make Waves at Thanksgiving Box Office
Disney's "Moana 2" is expected to lead a strong Thanksgiving box office, potentially making it the best since the pandemic, with projections of $120-$150 million in the U.S. and Canada. It will be joined by "Wicked" and "Gladiator II," contributing to an anticipated $200 million-plus in ticket sales over the five-day holiday period. This could mark one of the highest-grossing Thanksgiving weekends in history, highlighting a significant recovery for the film industry post-pandemic.
Deadly Flesh-Eating Bacteria Spreads Rapidly in Japan
Japan has reported a record number of cases of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), a rare and dangerous infection caused by Group A strep bacteria. This rise mirrors trends in the U.S. and U.K., with experts attributing it partly to a post-pandemic rebound in bacterial and viral infections. However, the exact reasons for the surge remain unclear, prompting renewed focus on the behavior of Group A strep and the need for vigilant monitoring and research into potential vaccines.
"Harvard Expert's 5-3-1 Rule for Boosting Social Health and Reducing Loneliness"
Kasley Killam, author of "The Art and Science of Connection," developed the 5-3-1 rule to help manage social interactions and combat loneliness. The rule suggests spending time with five different people weekly, nurturing three close relationships, and aiming for one hour of meaningful social interaction daily. This guideline is intended to be flexible, helping individuals become more intentional about their social health, especially in a post-pandemic world where isolation is prevalent.
Summer Concert Sales Plummet Amid Cancellations and Cooling Demand
The post-pandemic surge in live music, driven by "revenge spending," is showing signs of slowing as major artists cancel tours and consumers balk at high ticket prices. The trend, dubbed "funflation," is cooling off with more artists touring and fans experiencing fatigue. Despite strong demand for top acts like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, overall ticket sales and resale prices are declining, indicating a return to pre-pandemic norms.
"Why Major Artists Are Canceling Tours and Struggling to Fill Venues"
Major artists like Jennifer Lopez and the Black Keys are canceling tours or switching to smaller venues due to a combination of high ticket prices, consumer spending fatigue, and an oversaturated market. While demand remains strong for top-tier acts like Taylor Swift, many fans are unwilling to pay high prices, leading to empty seats and financial impracticalities for some tours. Economic trends and industry consolidation have also made it harder for smaller venues to thrive, contributing to the cancellations.
"Bestselling Author Explores Connection in New Novel"
David Nicholls' new novel "You Are Here" explores themes of connection, loneliness, and missed opportunities through the story of two middle-aged characters, Michael and Marnie, who embark on a group hike across the English countryside. The book, inspired by Nicholls' own experiences with walking and solitude, aims to be both humorous and hopeful, reflecting on the challenges of social interaction in a post-pandemic world.
"Why Cruises Are the New Travel Trend"
The cruise industry is experiencing a significant surge in popularity, driven by first-time passengers, younger travelers, and new, larger ships with attractive amenities. Post-pandemic bookings have soared, with 27% of recent cruise passengers being newcomers. Millennials and Gen Z are the fastest-growing segments, drawn by all-inclusive packages and diverse destinations. Despite high costs, affluent travelers are willing to spend on premium cruise experiences, contributing to the industry's growth.
"D-FW Real Estate Market: Lessons from St. Louis's Downtown Crisis"
Downtown St. Louis faces a challenging office market as a 44-story tower, once valued at $205 million, recently sold for just $3.5 million. Meanwhile, downtown Dallas grapples with a 26.5% office vacancy rate, prompting corporate relocations to Uptown and a shift towards hybrid work models. The region's fastest-growing in-migration offers some hope, but large chunks of office space will require backfilling as major firms like Deloitte, Goldman Sachs, and Bank of America move to Uptown, leaving significant vacancies. Office conversions to hotel space and residential units are seen as a potential solution, but their success remains uncertain.
"Your Guide to the Hottest Broadway Shows and Live Performances This Spring in New York"
Broadway is set for a crowded spring season with 18 new productions scheduled to open in March and April, presenting a dizzying array of options for potential ticket buyers. While there is excitement about the abundance of choice, producers and investors are concerned about how these shows will fare in a post-pandemic theater era with audiences not back in full force, leading to industrywide anxiety about whether there will be enough ticket buyers to sustain all of these shows.
"Tech Industry Faces Unprecedented Wave of Layoffs in 2024"
Tech companies' recent job cuts feel different from those announced during the pandemic, with a sense of relief among workers as the post-pandemic themes of "rightsizing" and "removing layers of management" start to fade, signaling a shift away from the "year of efficiency."
China Implements Visa-Free Entry for Citizens of France, Germany, and Italy
China will temporarily exempt citizens of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia from needing visas to visit the country from December 1 to November 30 next year, in an effort to boost post-pandemic tourism. The move comes as China aims to revive its tourism sector and improve its global image after clashing with Western countries on various issues. The decision was welcomed by diplomats and is expected to facilitate travel and enhance people-to-people exchanges.
"Post-pandemic wage growth stagnates, reaching a 2-year low"
Wage growth in the US has hit a two-year low, indicating that the "big post-pandemic pay increases seem to be behind us." This slowdown in wage growth suggests that the rapid recovery in the labor market may be losing momentum, raising concerns about the strength of the economic recovery.
Visa's Profits Soar on Strong Travel Demand and Digital Payments
Visa reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter profit as consumers embraced post-pandemic travel, disregarding concerns about an economic slowdown. Visa's CFO noted a recovery in U.S. inbound travel and improving travel into Asia. Despite gloomy economic forecasts, consumer spending has remained steady, supporting payment volumes. Visa's payment volumes rose 9% in the quarter, with cross-border volumes excluding transactions within Europe surging 18%. The company expects consumer spending to remain resilient, driven by low unemployment levels and wage growth. Visa also increased its dividend and authorized a new share repurchase program.