Credit default swaps: Analysis and policies
Credit default swap spreads have become critical benchmarks for credit risk assessment. A recent report from the European Systemic Risk Board, however, uncovers a range
From tariffs to trade flows: Diversion effects and China’s exports to the EU
High US tariffs on imports from China in the first half of 2025 led to concerns about a large-scale redirection of Chinese exports to the
Beyond tariffs: A better approach to green industrial policy
Governments impose tariffs to protect domestic clean-energy industries and accelerate decarbonisation, but tariffs can increase the costs of deploying clean technologies. This column analyses the
Bonds bonanza: Region’s issuers front-load deals amid rising uncertainty
Iran is one among many global uncertainties that could cause spreads to widen sharply. Saudi Arabia and the UAE led a wave of regional entities
Gold pares losses from index rebalancing, steadies ahead of US jobs data
U.S. gold futures for February delivery firmed 0.4% to $4,477.70. Gold prices pared early losses on Friday, as investors weighed geopolitical against the ongoing rebalancing
Stocks bide time before jobs report, tariff ruling
Brent futures rose 0.8% to $62.49 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude advanced 0.8% to $58.25. Asian stocks drifted lower and the
Gold falls as commodity index rebalancing sparks selling pressure
Spot gold fell 0.6% to $4,428.06 per ounce, as of 1115 GMT. U.S. gold futures for February delivery fell 0.6% to $4,436.30. Gold prices fell
Beyond just IT: cybersecurity as a foundation for economic growth
A cyberattack against Morocco’s National Social Security Fund, which resulted in the leakage of the personal and financial details of nearly two million people; a cyber heist of US$ 1.5 billion in Ethereum, from the
When agri-food prices rise, who bears the cost?
During a visit to El Salvador, we met María Alexandra Tamanique, a maize farmer in La Libertad. She told us about the difficult decision she
Global M&A deals hit $4.8bn on strong tech and AI deals
Technology M&A, powered by AI-related deals, was in the vanguard of the year’s surge in merger activity. A potent rebound in global M&A is on
