Issue #2. II quarter 2024

Issue Highlights

Companies from developing countries outperform companies from the developed world by key financial performance indicators in almost all industries except software; the tense situation in the global logistics sector creates opportunities for Russia; telecom operators and IT companies are accelerating the development of artificial intelligence products; the global automotive industry and metallurgy are trying to protect themselves from Chinese exports of electric cars and steel; major oil and gas companies continue the wave of mergers and acquisitions and are increasingly demonstrating their commitment to achieving sustainable development goals.

The world's largest corporations demonstrated positive growth dynamics in Q1 2024 — Global Revenue and Profit Indices exceeded 50%. Companies from developing countries outperform corporations from developed world by key financial indicators in almost all industries, with the exception of software. Companies from developed countries managed to ensure revenue growth in general, but their performance with profit indices below 50% should be recognized as low.

Automotive industry

Tesla, the largest player in the global automotive industry, is cutting staff amid a slowdown in the transition to electric vehicles (EV); regulators' opposition to the global expansion of Chinese EVs has moved from concerns and investigations to the introduction of regulatory measures.

Iron and steel

In the global steel industry, protectionist trade measures are being intensively implemented against the strengthening Chinese exports; restructuring processes extending beyond Europe and beginning to manifest themselves in South Korea.

Transport and logistics

The transport and logistics sector is experiencing tensions due to the situation in the Red Sea. Sea carriers are addressing capacity shortages, while the Russian market is gaining new sources of growth, primarily in the transit segment.

Pharmaceuticals

In the pharmaceutical industry, companies are beginning to compete more actively in the treatment of oncological diseases, obesity and diabetes; some players are doing their best to maintain their leading positions in the segment of drugs of a certain therapeutic group after losing their patents.

Semiconductor industry

The U.S., Japan, China and South Korea are allocating funds to support companies in the semiconductor and components sector; the world’s largest players are initiating projects to build new production facilities in the European and Asian regions, either on their own or through partnerships.

Electronics and hardware

Electronics and hardware manufacturers are forcing the development of the artificial intelligence (AI) industry and reformatting value chains by shifting production from China to Southeast Asia and India.

Software

Companies in the IT software sector continue to enter strategic partnerships to develop, test and deploy new products with AI and cloud technologies. While some tech startups are raising funding, others are finding themselves acquired by the industry's largest players.

Platform business

Artificial intelligence is shaping the key trends in the platform business: while some players are introducing new AI features, others are focusing on security; almost all leading companies are investing in infrastructure development.

Telecommunications

The telecommunication sector is showing a highly intensive involvement in the development of AI-enabled products and solutions and is fostering cloud infrastructure in developing countries. The technological confrontation between the US and China has now affected telecom operators as well.

Oil and gas

Major oil and gas companies continue the wave of mergers and acquisitions, develop new fields, and participate in achieving sustainable development goals with completely different approaches.