From conflict to innovation, our midyear issue takes stock of the turbulent few months thus far while anticipating the opportunities and challenges still ahead.
The midyear point is a time I look forward to most: winter’s chill is behind us, spring is in full swing, and the seasonal summer lull is just around the corner. It’s a perfect time to take stock of where we’ve been and to reflect on what’s to come.
It’s been an eventful year so far—the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, the outbreak of war in the Middle East, and border clashes between India and Pakistan, to name just a few.
Innovation and the Second-Half Slate
Like a fulcrum, the midyear point offers a chance to look ahead as well. There’s plenty to get excited about: Elon Musk’s SpaceX is poised to be the biggest initial public offering in history; the World Cup lands in North America; the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement is up for renewal; and an old friend, El Niño, is expected to make an appearance.
With so much to consider, what are financial services professionals doing to insulate their businesses for the rest of the year? In our cover story, Deborah Ritchie examines how chief financial officers are positioning their firms for the second half as the war in the Middle East continues.
World Cup fans will appreciate our Global Salon Q&A with sports finance expert Laurie Pinto, who handicaps the real game: following the money.
Our newest contributor, Rocco Pendola, an American living in Spain, gives us a firsthand look at one of the European Union’s best-performing economies.
And Charles Wallace dives deep into the murky waters of private credit default rates.
Of course, the keystone is our triple-award package: Innovators, Innovations, and Innovation Labs. Congratulations to the winners, and special thanks to everyone who entered.
We believe we’ve loaded our midyear issue with plenty to contemplate and much to look forward to, as fast-moving events continue to reshape the global status quo.
This article appears in the June 2026 issue of Global Finance Magazine.
