The debate over index concentration The meteoric rise of US mega-cap technology stocks over the past 15 years or so has led to an extraordinary level of index concentration. The combined weight of the five largest stocks in the MSCI World Index has surged from around 6% in 2015 to 20% today, while
Recessions: Causes and government interventions In most countries, most of the time, the economy expands, propelled by population growth and productivity improvements. However, from time to time, the economy enters recession. Recessions have many negative consequences for households, businesses, and markets. There is no single definition of a recession. A recession is often
Mastering trade finance: Credit, negotiations, & risk International trade creates risk for trading parties relating to uncertainty over the timing of payments between exporters and importers. For instance, an exporter often has a cash flow shortfall when it provides trade credit to an importer. This is because payment is not received until some
Nonferrous metals: Indispensable business materials A nonferrous metal is an alloy or metal that does not contain an appreciable amount of iron in its chemical composition. There are many metals that fall into this definition, but only a few of these metals are traded on exchanges. We can split these traded nonferrous
What are green bonds? As interest in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues has grown, the market for green bonds and other green assets has expanded rapidly. Today, this market includes a wide range of green debt instruments and new asset types are emerging regularly. However, a lack of universal global standards for
CBDC momentum slows The development of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) has been a priority for central banks across the globe over the last few years. Recently, however, momentum has stalled. Apart from China’s digital yuan, CBDCs across major economies are yet to be launched, with some at more advanced stages of development
Toward a “new normal” for bonds? Global bonds markets appear to be in a state of structural volatility. While inflationary pressures and fiscal concerns are the most oft-cited factors, the apparent failure of the markets to adapt their expectations could be just as significant. In September 2024, the Fed embarked
The Trade Life Cycle: 5 Key Stages For many, a trade simply refers to the moment that two counterparties engage in a transaction, such as the exchange of cash for a bond in a securities trade or the exchange of two currencies in an FX trade. In reality, for a trade to take place,
What is corporate governance? Corporate governance is concerned with optimizing and improving how companies are managed and monitored, with the goal of benefiting all stakeholders and minimizing downside risks. Shareholders, the board of directors, management, employees, and other stakeholders all have a role to play in ensuring that companies adhere to the highest
What is operational risk? Unlike most other industries, banks earn income by taking risks, primarily by accepting exposures to credit and market risk. Banks are, however, exposed to a range of other risks. Operational risk, for instance, can be found in all banking products, activities, processes, and systems. The Basel Committee on Banking
