How the US South caught up: A century of manufacturing productivity convergence
Economic historians have long debated whether lagging regions can catch up in productivity with industrial leaders. This column shows that, under the right conditions, such
Ripples presaging a financial tsunami
Loss of confidence in the US dollar’s reserve currency status could trigger a collapse of the US Treasury market and international financial fragmentation. This column
Gulf central banks cut key interest rates following Fed move
The Fed cut its rate by a quarter of a percentage point, in a move that won support from most of President Donald Trump’s central
Incomplete contracts and renegotiation in public procurement
Public procurement contracts worldwide often face high risks of cost overruns and project delays, raising questions about the scope for contract modifications. This column examines
Gold uptrend intact, but due for correction before topping $4,000 in 2026
Spot gold was trading around $3,680 per ounce on Tuesday after hitting a record $3,689.27 earlier in the session. Gold’s stellar rally to successive record
Saudi’s Bank AlJazira prices $500mln, non-call 5.5-year sukuk
The final orderbook is in excess of $1.65bln, excluding JLM interest. Saudi Arabia’s Bank AlJazira, rated A3 (stable) / A-(stable) by Moody’s and Fitch, has
Gold hovers near record high ahead of US inflation data
ANZ Group raised its year-end gold price forecast on Wednesday to $3,800 per ounce and expects prices to peak near $4,000 by next June. Gold
Investor memory and biased beliefs: Evidence from the field
Financial markets are volatile, and research attributes this to highly variable and often irrational investor beliefs. This column uses a large-scale survey of Chinese retail
European stocks fall, dollar steady, traders wait for Jackson Hole
Euro zone business activity expanded in August, PMIs show. European stock markets fell slightly in early trading on Thursday, hovering just below recent highs, as
How to update the EU Merger Guidelines
There is a growing push from certain quarters for the European Commission to weaken merger control in order to spur greater investment and innovation, higher
