In response to China’s decision to halt plastic scrap imports, some waste management companies in the West are going high tech.
Fundamental Thinking
The perspectives of Harding Loevner’s sector and industry analysts on a range of investment topics.
A Bitter Pill: Why Big Pharma’s Era of Big Profits May Be Expiring
Pharmaceutical companies, pressured by buyers to lower drug prices, find their high profit margins threatened.
Why Subscription Revenue Is Lifting the Enterprise Software Industry—And Investor Expectations
Selling software as a service instead of a product has been a boon for enterprise software companies. But will their growth translate to high profits?
A Prescription for Growth? Why Pharma Companies Are Testing New Tactics to Refill Their Drug Pipelines
Many pharmaceutical companies are shifting away from large acquisitions, instead opting to buy smaller firms with riskier, earlier-stage drug candidates. Others are experimenting with new strategies altogether.
Faster Fashion: Why Being Quick to Market Matters More Now for Apparel Companies
To regain market share lost to nimble competitors, established footwear and apparel brands are taking steps to accelerate design, production, and sales.
Are Biosimilars the Next Big Growth Opportunity for the Pharmaceutical Industry?
As top-selling biologics begin to lose patent protection, some drug makers are investing heavily to meet anticipated demand for biosimilars. Yet the high cost and complexity of these new drugs pose a risk to expected profits.
The New Retail: Why the Future of Shopping Will Be a Story of Bits and Bricks
In-store apps and “digitized” brick-and-mortar stores point to a future where online and offline shopping is highly integrated.
Why Battling Bugs Is a Booming Business, and May Be Getting Bigger
Climate change and other global trends could lead to more encounters with pests—and rising demand for pest control services.
A Runway to Growth for Airport Services Companies
Fixed-base operators that run a network of locations are likely to achieve higher-than-average earnings growth in the fragmented FBO industry.
Laser Technology Continues to Burn New Ground
Greater precision and speed, combined with lower energy requirements, give lasers a meaningful advantage over other manufacturing tools—and a long growth trajectory for laser equipment companies.
The Ramadan Effect: How Islam’s Holy Month Impacts Businesses
Unlike Christmas, Diwali, or Chinese New Year, Ramadan shifts about 11 days earlier each year and is not confined to a single season—or financial quarter.
Online Marketplaces for Loans Are Growing Rapidly. Should Banks Be Worried?
Peer-to-peer lending platforms have flourished in a period of steady economic growth, but their popularity with lenders may decline during the next downturn.