Barclays Investment Bank

The UK government is targeting a range of initiatives to stimulate economic #growth. Our Research analysts consider the impact these could have in three key sectors, and how they might help position the UK for growth: http://ms.spr.ly/6041qwvuS

👋 Meet Tim Hartzell, our Global Head of Portfolio Management and Wholesale Lending, who builds strong client relationships by focusing on listening, understanding goals, and delivering transparent, efficient solutions that create win-win outcomes.

This week we hosted our third annual ‘Barclays Inspires Gender Diversity’ dinner, bringing together corporate leaders and institutional investors to discuss the importance of promoting diversity in the workplace. Guests heard former Prime Minister of Denmark Helle Thorning-Schmidt share valuable insights from her broad-ranging expertise, including foreign policy, philanthropy and non-executive roles across sustainable energy, AI, technology and football ⚽. Speaking to Barclays’ Group Chief of Staff Anita Tanna, Helle spoke about the discrimination faced throughout her career and how she was able to turn it into something that helped her thrive and challenge the norms; matching micro-aggression with micro-feminism. Helle also spoke about the need for leaders to understand, challenge and change the ‘majority culture’ within their organisations, highlighting that it’s not enough to just open the door; leaders need to step out of their comfort zone and welcome those who may shock them and do things differently. When asked what advice she would give her younger self, Helle replied: “Pick your battles… but also don’t! It’s good to think you can change anything and fiercely try to change the status quo.” It was an inspiring event, full of networking and conversation.

⚡Every single AI calculation consumes power. Data centre electricity usage already exceeds hundreds of megawatts. But when AI is even more impressive, capable of making billions of billions of calculations a second, training just one AI model could require several gigawatts of power. How will big tech, utilities, and policymakers address this coming challenge? 🔗 Link to the new Impact Series report on AI’s energy needs in the comments.

Congratulations to Wiz on entering into a definitive agreement with Google to be acquired for $32 billion, in an all-cash transaction. Wiz will join Google Cloud, and this combination is expected to improve how cloud security is designed, operated and automated. We were proud to act as Financial Advisor to Wiz. 

We are pleased to announce that Kieran Whitty is joining Barclays as Co-Head of Healthcare Investment Banking for EMEA. With over 18 years of experience and a track record of success delivering solutions to corporates and sponsors, we are confident that his addition to the team will enhance our ability to help clients reach their goals. https://lnkd.in/erFrZtXt

While much investment has gone into protocols such as closing-price trading and executable streams, Fixed Income markets continue to rely heavily on RFQ (request for quote) protocols. A deeper look at Rates in our annual Fixed Income Market Structure Survey suggests there may be a growing shift towards more streaming-type execution underway. 🔗 Link in comments

DeepSeek exposed the possibility that #AI companies may not need to spend billions on powerful chips to handle complex calculations. Brad Rogoff and Ross Sandler debate whether there's been too much hype for the hyperscalers in the latest Flip Side episode. 🔗 Link in comments

Naohiko Baba, our Chief Japan Economist, spoke to CNBC about the effects of #tariffs on certain sectors of the Japanese economy and rising consumption's influence on the next rate decision from the #BoJ.

Global economic forces to 👀 for the week of 17 March, according to our Research team. 👇 ◾ As the US administration seems determined to impose high tariffs and 'detox' the domestic economy, US growth is set to slow sharply, with global spillovers. Our analysts adjust their assumptions by incorporating softer trajectories for activity and a bigger upsurge in inflation in the US. ◾ Effects from higher European investment will lag but could be significant, according to our analysts. They lower their euro growth area forecast for 2025 as activity is set to decelerate further given US tariffs on EA exports, and they expect the #ECB's depo rate to reach 1.5% by year-end. ◾Our Economics Research team revised its UK GDP outlook downward following weaker data and intensifying tariffs threats and uncertainty, signs of an easing labour market, and rising inflation expectations. The team expects the MPC to hold Bank Rate at 4.5%. ◾ In APAC, our analysts expect the #BoJ to keep its "on track" assessment of growth and inflation, but take time to gauge the effect of its January rate hike as well as tariffs and wages. China data suggest risk of prolonged deflationary pressures this year, while companies are holding back from hiring. They see US trade risks as two-sided. ◾ Labour indicators report healthy momentum in most of Latin America. However, this does not necessarily reflect economic strength. Link in comments for more insights.