Global Investing

Milestones | Tibet
Amid a general slowdown in the Chinese economy, Tibet has emerged as the fastest-growing province in the country.

with Michael and Yoel Zaoui, Zaoui & Co

Trends | US Dollar/Mergers & Acquisitions
The US dollar has climbed some 25% since June to its highest level in the past 12 years, which could have a significant impact on one of America’s biggest economic drivers: foreign direct investment.

Asia has become the world’s most dynamic region since the development bank first launched. But 1.6 billion Asians still cannot access basic services.

Consumer Products Sector
The region’s largest retailers continue to expand, as do multinational companies, in this growing markets.          

Capital Markets | Foreign Exchange
The strong dollar has beaten down emerging markets currencies ahead of prospective Federal Reserve rate increases, but the fallout for developing economies will vary widely.

FDI & Economic Development Update | Asia
Inbound FDI was down globally last year, but the lion’s share went to Asia.

Dear Reader
Deflation is one of the worst fears of central bankers and economists worldwide, but the risk it engenders isn’t always clearly defined.

Mergers & Acquisitions | Management
Amid the merger frenzy of 2014, a startling number of bids were killed. 2014 may have seen heady times for corporate acquirers, but it was also the year of the rebuffed suitor.

Country Report | Bangladesh
Bangladeshi economic growth has been strong and relatively stable. But the country has a number of business climate challenges that must be addressed before it can reach its full potential as an investment magnet.

Trends | Credit Ratings
More than six years after the housing market crashed—dragging the world economy and stock markets down with it—Standard & Poor’s settled in early February with the Securities and Exchange Commission for its alleged part in triggering the meltdown. The price was relatively cheap, as these things go: $1.4 billion with no admission of wrongdoing.

Management | Foreign Direct Investment
FDI volumes are declining globally, as some national governments take a stronger stance against foreign ownership of their companies and land.
 

Capital Markets | Fixed-Income Strategy
Investors lined up recently to pay for the privilege of lending money to Finland.

Capital Markets | Equity Capital Raising
Burgundy vineyard Domaine Chanzy expects to be the first company to conduct an initial public offering using crowdfunding, which enables companies to raise money from members of the public, typically via the Internet.
 

Cover Story
The decline in eurozone prices is the most dramatic example of deflationary pressures afflicting the globe. All eyes are now on European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi and his efforts to reverse that trend.

Milestones | China
New legislation will lower the regulatory hurdles for foreign companies entering the Chinese market, but it is restricted to particular industries.

Capital Markets | Stock Markets
The Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) will soon have direct competition from an alternative equity-trading platform, also to be located in the heart of Toronto’s financial district, known as Bay Street.

Milestones | Venezuela
Venezuela’s introduction of a marginal free-floating currency system that will freely trade the US dollar and the bolivar seems unlikely to enlarge the country’s foreign exchange reserves or stem its growing external debt.

Capital Markets | Q&A
Axel Merk is president and chief investment officer of Merk Investments, manager of the Merk Funds.
 

Management | Shareholder Activism
A battle is heating up ahead of the DuPont’s annual shareholders meeting, planned for April.