The restaurant industry faced significant turbulence in 2024, marking a year of closures and decreased patronage for many chains. Economic factors, primarily persistent inflation, led consumers to tighten their wallets, causing a notable decline in dining out. People sought value in their meals, resulting in subdued spending at restaurants. According to insights from Black Box
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In a significant display of recovery, Macau’s casino revenues have surged, recording an impressive 23.9% increase in 2024, bringing the total to 226.8 billion patacas (approximately $28.35 billion). While this growth is commendable, it still falls short of pre-pandemic figures, which reached 292.5 billion patacas in 2019. The sharp increase was announced by the Gaming
The looming threat of a port workers strike scheduled for January 15 could send ripples across economic landscapes. The potential grievance, rooted in contentious issues surrounding automation in port operations, may lead to significant disruptions in supply chains. As a result, the economy could face monumental impacts, estimated to be approximately $3.1 billion per day.
Goldman Sachs, one of the leading financial institutions, recently shared their perspectives regarding critical questions that will shape the U.S. economic outlook for 2025. In this forecast, they cover a range of topics, from GDP growth to inflation trends. One of the most intriguing aspects of Goldman Sachs’ predictions is their optimistic GDP growth forecast,
The early hours of January 1, 2025, marked a significant turning point in the energy landscape of Europe, particularly concerning the transit of Russian natural gas through Ukraine. As the critical transit agreement expired, Russia’s longstanding gas supply routes experienced an abrupt halt. This development symbolizes not merely a logistical disruption but also a culmination
In a dramatic shift within the global landscape of sovereign wealth funds, Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Investment Company emerged as a powerhouse in 2024, claiming about 20% of the staggering $136.1 billion spent by sovereign wealth funds worldwide. This marks a significant advancement for Mubadala as it outpaced the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF), which
Broadway’s holiday season brought an unexpected mix of triumph and turmoil this year, presenting a vivid illustration of the unpredictable nature of live theater. While many productions basked in the glow of record-breaking weeks, one notable revival faced an unusual setback that dimmed its festive spirit. The week ending December 29 was incredibly fruitful for
As 2024 draws to a close, the housing market presents a bittersweet picture: while there is an increase in the number of homes available for sale, many of these listings are stagnant, sitting on the market for much longer durations than typical. This situation poses challenges for both buyers and sellers, revealing a market that
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently faced a precarious situation as he attempted to secure the passage of his government’s 2025 budget while recovering from prostate surgery. Defying his doctors’ advice, Netanyahu left his hospital bed to personally appeal to coalition partners who were threatening to disrupt the process. This determination highlights not only his
In a turbulent stock market, Intel finds itself in the spotlight, albeit for the wrong reasons. The tech giant’s stock experienced a modest bounce of approximately 1.2% during midday trading. However, this slight upturn belies a much grimmer reality: Intel’s share price has plummeted over 60% throughout 2024, potentially marking its most disastrous year in