Fintech PR
NORTH AMERICAN MANUFACTURERS BEGIN STOCKPILING TO BUFFER AGAINST TARIFFS WHILE ASIAN SUPPLIERS RECORD RENEWED GROWTH AS CHINESE MANUFACTURING REBOUNDS, DRIVEN BY STIMULUS AND EXPORTS: GEP GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN VOLATILITY INDEX
- Increased safety stockpiling reported by North American manufacturers, led by the U.S., as firms anticipate higher imported costs
- Asian factories’ purchasing of inputs rises at the fastest rate in three-and-a-half years as firms, particularly in China, ramp up production to meet stronger orders, reflecting domestic stimulus measures and advanced buying ahead of possible tariffs
- By contrast, Europe’s industrial recession worsens in November, in large part due to Germany’s deepening manufacturing downturn
CLARK, N.J., Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The GEP Global Supply Chain Volatility Index — a leading indicator tracking demand conditions, shortages, transportation costs, inventories and backlogs based on a monthly survey of 27,000 businesses — signaled the smallest level of spare capacity in global supply chains since June in November, as the index rose to -0.20, from -0.39 previously.
Driving this increase was Asia, as suppliers to the region reported stretched capacity for the first time since July. This was caused by a surge in procurement activity by manufacturers in the continent, and especially China, as new orders rebounded sharply. This could reflect greater production requirements stemming from domestic stimulus measures, as well as from international clients, who may be stockpiling to mitigate the risk of higher import costs under the Trump administration. Only India reported a greater rise in raw material purchases than China in November. Preparations to ramp up production further were evidenced by our data showing factory procurement activity across Asia rising at its fastest pace for three-and-a-half years.
Indeed, in North America, reports of safety stockpiling were at their most pronounced since July, highlighting how procurement managers have already implemented changes to their inventory strategies as a result of the incoming US administration’s public commitment to impose significant tariffs. Subsequently, a pickup in activity across North American supply chains resulted in fewer vendors with idle capacity. In fact, our index tracking the region’s supply chain activity hit a four-month high in November.
Meanwhile, in Europe, suppliers feeding this part of the world saw spare capacity rise further — a contrast to elsewhere — primarily because of the continent’s worsening industrial recession. Factories went deeper into retrenchment mode, according to our data, as demand for inputs from manufacturers here was its weakest since December 2023. Germany continues to be at the forefront of this prolonged and significant slowdown.
“In November, U.S. manufacturers, particularly in the consumer goods sector, increased their safety stocks to help blunt any immediate tariff increases,” said John Piatek, vice president, GEP. “In contrast, Chinese manufacturers are getting busier as a result of government stimulus and growth in exports, led by automotives and technology products. Strategically, many global companies have a wait-and-hope approach, while simultaneously planning to remake their global supply chains to respond to a tariff and trade war in 2025 and beyond.”
NOVEMBER 2024 KEY FINDINGS
- DEMAND: Demand for raw materials, commodities and components is rising after a sustained period of weakness. Although our tracker remains slightly below its long-term average, it picked up again in November. This was principally driven by Asia, as procurement activity surged due to companies, particularly in China, preparing to ramp up production to meet new orders from clients.
- INVENTORIES: The stockpiling indicator, which measures to what extent companies are building safety buffers into their inventories to mitigate against risks such as shortages or price rises, ticked higher in November. Most notable was a rise in safety stockpiling from manufacturers in both North America and Asia.
- MATERIAL SHORTAGES: The item shortages indicator continued to show robust global supply levels in November, with the frequency at which businesses reported poor availability remaining historically low.
- LABOR SHORTAGES: Reports of manufacturers’ backlogs rising due to staff shortages were at historically typical levels during November. Therefore, the data does not suggest that labor capacity is a limiting factor for goods producers.
- TRANSPORTATION: The transportation cost indicator remained anchored at its long-term average value in November.
REGIONAL SUPPLY CHAIN VOLATILITY
- NORTH AMERICA: Index went up to -0.36, from -0.72, its highest level since July, signaling the smallest amount of slack in the region’s supply chains in four months. Stockpiling activity ticked higher in North America in November.
- EUROPE: Index fell to -0.72, from -0.52, close to its lowest level year-to-date, signaling a worsening of the continent’s industrial recession.
- U.K.: Index ticked up to -0.12, from -0.40. However, input demand at U.K. factories worsened in November, indicating spillover effects from weakness in mainland Europe.
- ASIA: Index rose to a four-month high of 0.15, from -0.20. Crucially, the index signaled stretched capacity for the first time since the summer as a surge in procurement activity, particularly in China, squeezed vendors.
For more information, visit www.gep.com/volatility.
Note: Full historical data dating back to January 2005 is available for subscription. Please contact [email protected].
The next release of the GEP Global Supply Chain Volatility Index will be 8 a.m. ET, Jan. 13, 2025.
About the GEP Global Supply Chain Volatility Index
The GEP Global Supply Chain Volatility Index is produced by S&P Global and GEP. It is derived from S&P Global’s PMI® surveys, sent to companies in over 40 countries, totaling around 27,000 companies. The headline figure is a weighted sum of six sub-indices derived from PMI data, PMI Comments Trackers and PMI Commodity Price & Supply Indicators compiled by S&P Global.
- A value above 0 indicates that supply chain capacity is being stretched and supply chain volatility is increasing. The further above 0, the greater the extent to which capacity is being stretched.
- A value below 0 indicates that supply chain capacity is being underutilized, reducing supply chain volatility. The further below 0, the greater the extent to which capacity is being underutilized.
A Supply Chain Volatility Index is also published at a regional level for Europe, Asia, North America and the U.K. For more information about the methodology, click here.
About GEP
GEP® delivers AI-powered procurement and supply chain solutions that help global enterprises become more agile and resilient, operate more efficiently and effectively, gain competitive advantage, boost profitability and increase shareholder value. Fresh thinking, innovative products, unrivaled domain expertise, smart, passionate people — this is how GEP SOFTWARE™, GEP STRATEGY™ and GEP MANAGED SERVICES™ together deliver procurement and supply chain solutions of unprecedented scale, power and effectiveness. Our customers are the world’s best companies, including more than 1,000 Fortune 500 and Global 2000 industry leaders who rely on GEP to meet ambitious strategic, financial and operational goals. A leader in multiple Gartner Magic Quadrants, GEP’s cloud-native software and digital business platforms consistently win awards and recognition from industry analysts, research firms and media outlets, including Gartner, Forrester, IDC, ISG, and Spend Matters. GEP is also regularly ranked a top procurement and supply chain consulting and strategy firm, and a leading managed services provider by ALM, Everest Group, NelsonHall, IDC, ISG and HFS, among others. Headquartered in Clark, New Jersey, GEP has offices and operations centers across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. To learn more, visit www.gep.com.
About S&P Global
S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI) S&P Global provides essential intelligence. We enable governments, businesses and individuals with the right data, expertise and connected technology so that they can make decisions with conviction. From helping our customers assess new investments to guiding them through ESG and energy transition across supply chains, we unlock new opportunities, solve challenges and accelerate progress for the world. We are widely sought after by many of the world’s leading organizations to provide credit ratings, benchmarks, analytics and workflow solutions in the global capital, commodity and automotive markets. With every one of our offerings, we help the world’s leading organizations plan for tomorrow, today.
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– Approval positions the FinTech as a leader in crypto-asset innovation and compliance in the EU, allowing it to expand its transformative digital-native payments platform and enter new markets –
AMSTERDAM, Dec. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — ZBD, the innovative payments company at the forefront of digital economies, today announced it has become the first company to receive approval for the new European Union (EU) crypto-asset service provider license under MiCAR (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation). This landmark achievement represents a major milestone both in crypto-asset regulation in the EU and in ZBD’s journey to build a digital-native payments platform on top of the Bitcoin Lightning Network.
The Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) has approved ZBD’s license application under MiCAR, and will issue its license when MiCAR takes effect on 30th December 2024. MiCAR is a new regulatory framework that all crypto-asset service providers in the EU must comply with. Securing a license under MiCAR allows ZBD to expand its capabilities by offering a wide range of services including crypto-asset custody, administration, transfers, and—crucially—fiat-to-crypto and crypto-to-fiat exchange. It also demonstrates a strict adherence to the highest standards of compliance and consumer protection for ZBD’s EU users.
While many companies, including the world’s largest exchanges, are struggling to navigate MiCAR’s stringent requirements, ZBD’s comprehensive and proactive approach to compliance has positioned it to lead the way in crypto-asset innovation and better serve customers across the EU. MiCAR therefore presents a unique opportunity for ZBD as it begins its expansion into the EU market after establishing a strong presence in the US.
“Being the first to have received MiCAR license approval is a major leap forward for us,” says Marca Wosoba, COO of ZBD. “We’ve built a culture where compliance is at the forefront of what we do, and we see it as an enabler for new functionality, not a blocker. MiCAR gave us an opportunity to obtain licensing across all of the EU and facilitate our expansion in the region.”
This milestone aligns with ZBD’s broader vision to build digital-native payments infrastructure for the gaming and entertainment industries. Unlike traditional FinTech companies, which typically start with a fiat-first model and then add on crypto functionality, ZBD flips the script—building on Bitcoin’s Lightning Network to enable fast, low-cost, and globally scalable payments. This flexibility allows the company to find product market-fit in the gaming space, serving use cases that are simply not possible with traditional finance, such as instant reward payouts with no minimums – gamers can earn money playing games and cash out as soon as they’ve earned even a fraction of a cent.
“Having already built a stable revenue-generating business gives us a great entry point to expand what we do and move towards our vision of building a payments company that can instantly move money in any currency,” added Wosoba. “It’s not about being a crypto or Bitcoin business, it’s about being a digital-native payments business that happens to use Bitcoin on the Lightning Network as a core technology in our internal tech stack.”
ZBD took a proactive and strategic approach in anticipation of the new regulation, submitting its MiCAR registration application at the earliest opportunity. Its strong, collaborative relationship with The Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM), which was the first in the EU to accept and process applications, was also instrumental in achieving this significant milestone.
The license under MiCAR primes ZBD to launch more complex payment products built around Bitcoin, as well as grow rapidly in the EU in 2025. It also brings ZBD one step closer to achieving its ambitious vision as a transformative digital-native payments company. Following its ethos of building crypto-first and then adding complementary fiat functionality, the company is also in the final stages of receiving an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license, which will complement the range of services ZBD can offer under MiCAR, by also granting it license to perform a wide range of fiat payments services in the EU.
About ZBD
ZBD is a leader in payments innovation, pushing the boundaries of how we move money across the internet. Within gaming, ZBD has made a name for itself by powering instant real-money rewards for partners ranging from Square Enix to 1047 Games. Beyond gaming, ZBD enables unique payments-based use cases across interactive entertainment and adjacent industries. Whether it’s streaming money alongside audio in podcasting apps like Fountain, or implementing instant revenue sharing for each ad impression for adtech innovators like Slice and AdInMo, ZBD makes money move online as seamlessly as information.
To learn more, visit https://zbd.gg/
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ZUG, Switzerland, Dec. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Bivial AG is proud to announce the successful completion of its rebranding from Klarpay AG. This transformation represents a major milestone in the company’s journey, aligning its identity with its vision to become a global leader in comprehensive financial solutions for digital businesses.
The name ” Bivial ” encapsulates the company’s commitment to enabling seamless multidirectional financial flows, a core principle that has guided its evolution. This new identity underscores the company’s dedication to innovation and trust while expanding its capabilities.
With the rebrand complete, Bivial AG is poised to enhance its services beyond its established expertise in cross-border corporate payments. The company is actively working to broaden its portfolio with a range of financial and treasury solutions tailored to meet the needs of modern online businesses. This strategic shift underscores Bivial’s commitment to becoming a one-stop financial partner for its clients.
“The transition to Bivial reflects not just a change in name but an expansion with purpose,” said Martynas Bieliauskas, CEO of Bivial AG. “Our clients can expect the same innovative and reliable service they’ve always trusted, now complemented by a broader suite of offerings designed to support their growth in an interconnected world.”
As part of its growth strategy, Bivial is seeking to extend its regulatory footprint. Building on its existing regulatory framework under the Swiss Federal Banking Act Art 1b, the company has initiated processes to secure additional regulatory approvals in Switzerland.
Bivial’s rebrand signals a bold vision for the future of business finance. By integrating new technologies, expanding its regulatory reach, and broadening its offerings, the company is uniquely positioned to lead the way in financial services.
For more information about Bivial AG, visit www.bivial.ch.
About Bivial AG.
Bivial AG, formerly Klarpay AG, is a deposit-taking financial institution authorised and regulated by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) under the Swiss Federal Banking Act, Article 1b, offering modern Swiss accounts and cross-border payment solutions for digital businesses. Headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, Bivial AG specialises in offering online businesses access to multi-currency IBAN accounts, global payment acceptance, and digital disbursement solutions. As the first Swiss-licensed fintech company to work exclusively with e-commerce, digital entrepreneurs, and social media influencers, Bivial seeks to empower digital businesses through borderless, scalable, bespoke business accounts and payment solutions.
CONTACT: [email protected], + 41 41 552 0093
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Fintech PR
FXCess CFD Broker Brings PMAM to the Market, Sets New Standards in the World of Trading Platforms
HAMILTON, Bermuda, Dec. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — In a step towards empowering traders who manage multiple accounts, FXCess CFD broker has introduced PMAM, its innovative Personal Multi-Account Manager platform. PMAM is built on an intuitive interface and seamlessly integrates with MetaTrader 4 for easy multi-account management. The new platform gives users advanced money management tools and consolidates account handling into one cohesive solution that simplifies complex trading for FXCess clients.
“We have launched PMAM to prioritize efficiency and simplicity for clients,” a spokesperson for FXCess shared. “This platform is built with convenience in mind, offering a powerful suite of tools for seamless account management. PMAM allows users to manage multiple accounts from one master account interface, freeing them from having to switch between accounts and giving them access to everything they need in one place. This launch marks another step in our commitment to delivering innovation for our clients.”
PMAM’s Unique Features
PMAM offers traders dynamic functionality tailored for professionals and account managers alike. The allocation methods on the platform are flexible, which lets the traders allocate trades across multiple accounts using Lot Allocation, Percent Allocation, and Proportional by Balance Allocation among others. These methods enable users to control trade volume and equity allocation per account, giving them a level of precision and customizability. Alongside its versatile allocation options, PMAM features one-click trading, real-time monitoring, and detailed activity reports.
“At FXCess, our aim is to keep improving our trading ecosystem continually,” the spokesperson for FXCess added. “The introduction of PMAM is a key part of this initiative, reflecting our dedication to improving user experience and offering advanced solutions for traders and managers alike.”
About FXCess
FXCess CFD Broker supports its clients with a variety of trading options and valuable tools. Clients have access to hundreds of assets and can diversify across six asset classes, including forex, commodities, indices, and Futures. The firm also provides tight spreads, bonuses, and a range of trading accounts to improve the trading experience. Through constant enhancements, FXCess CFD broker ensures that clients have everything they need to thrive in today’s trading environment.
All trading involves risk. It is possible to lose all your capital.
FXCess is a trade name of Notesco Int Limited; a company incorporated in Anguilla with registration number A000001800 and registered address The Valley, AI2640, Cosely Drive, 1338, AI.
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