Will subsidy reductions kill the solar photovoltaics industry?

Despite the economic downturn, continuing raw material supply limitations and high prices, the solar photovoltaics industry enjoyed very strong growth in 2007. Although subsidy changes in key markets could curtail this upward trend, it is more likely that manufacturing efficiencies, among other factors, will more than offset the proposed subsidy reductions without a major impact on profit margins.

Published By Datamonitor

Will border violence hurt offshore outsourcing into Mexico?

Drug-related violence in communities on the US/Mexican border has received significant media attention in recent weeks, and could potentially cause concern among outsourcers and their clients with contact center deployments in Mexico. However, Datamonitor believes that serious investors need to look at the long-term value that can be derived from this established national market.

Published By Datamonitor

Why investment banks are of utmost importance to wealth managers

Recent issues have brought investment banking into the spotlight and have led some large global wealth managers to redefine the focus of their businesses. In the post financial crisis environment the reputation of investment banking has been shattered, but wealth managers simply cannot justify closing investment banking operations.

Published By Datamonitor

Why do organizations not make more of industrial networks?

Many manufacturers use programmable logic controllers, or PLCs, to control and manage production equipment. These PLCs are traditionally not connected to the corporate IT network, or even the responsibility of the IT department. While it would make sense to open up industrial networks and make available data contained within production control systems, security issues must first be addressed.

Published By Datamonitor

What does Doha mean for European utilities?

As nations tiptoe toward a meaningful agreement, unwilling to make sacrifices before others commit, we can look at the Doha climate talks and assess what, if anything, has been achieved. A new Datamonitor report lays out a clear and thorough analysis of climate policies from Kyoto to the recent talks in Doha, and considers what the likely impacts will be for European utilities.

Published By Datamonitor

What conclusions can be drawn from the net inflows at Credit Suisse Private Banking?

Credit Suisse has announced strong net inflows within its private wealth management unit. In Q1 2012, net inflows from wealth management clients reached CHF5.8bn, up 45.0% on Q4 2011. The origins of the new assets highlight a number of characteristics that define the global wealth management industry in 2012.

Published By Datamonitor

Wet cooking sauces: top flavors in new products

Published By Datamonitor

Western oil majors are feeling the pinch from national companies

As recent figures indicate, major Western oil companies such as Royal Dutch Shell, BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, and TOTAL are increasingly losing ground to a new breed of competitors. With many of the most lucrative hydrocarbon reserves situated in emerging nations and jealously guarded by national oil and gas companies, could this signal the end for Western domination of the oil industry?

Published By Datamonitor

Wells Fargo branches: less is more

Wells Fargo is launching a smaller mini-branch format that will allow it to operate in areas where normally sized branches are unviable. Reducing branch size will result in significantly lower operating costs. This means that banks can continue to keep branches - still a vital acquisition tool - despite the continuing migration of customers to digital channels.

Published By Datamonitor

Web 2.0 holds promises and threats for online banking

Web 2.0 technologies represent a means through which retail banks can more accurately serve the modern consumer. As such, many banks appreciate the benefits that such technologies could bring to their online offerings, such as a new, more customizable and interactive internet experience. However, they remain cautious about implementing the technology due to perceived security implications.

Published By Datamonitor