Country Report
Beijing’s Balancing Act: Growth vs. Reform
The question this year for investors in China is whether the government will continue moving toward a free-market economy—or keep grabbing the wheel.
Economics, Policy & Regulation
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Capital Raising & Corporate Finance
Can Colombia Count On A Peace Dividend?
<strong>Trends | Peace Deals</strong><br />
Low oil prices are widening Colombia’s current-account deficit, dampening the confidence of foreign investors and dragging down the economy.
Economics, Policy & Regulation
Catalan Leader Amps Up Independence Call
<strong>Spain:</strong> Legislators in Catalonia elected Carles Puigdemont, who has been pushing for independence for the big Spanish region for years, as president on January 10.
Capital Raising & Corporate Finance
Commodity Prices Deal Mozambique A Blow
Mining and gas reserves made Mozambique a darling among foreign investors—until last year. Now the government needs to diversify.
Capital Raising & Corporate Finance
EC Orders Belgium To Recoup Money Lost In Illegal Tax Breaks
<strong>Trends | Taxation</strong><br />
As part of a crackdown on generous tax incentives across the European Union, in January the European Commission (EC) demanded Belgium claw back €700 million ($762 million) in tax breaks from at least 35 European firms.
Economics, Policy & Regulation
Editor’s Letter: Fundamentals And Contagion
The new year started with unusually negative intensity and uncertainty in the financial markets and the global economy.
Capital Raising & Corporate Finance
Female CEOs Outperform, But Glass Ceiling Remains
<strong>Management | Corporate Governance</strong><br />
Despite various initiatives to get more women into the executive pipeline, the number of US corporations with a female CEO remains stuck in the low double digits.
Economics, Policy & Regulation
Gordhan Gets His Turn To Heal South Africa’s Woes
<strong>South Africa: </strong>After burning through two Finance ministers in 18 months—with the second having held the job for less than a week—South Africa’s president, Jacob Zuma, moved in mid-December to restore a measure of stability to the post.
Country Report
Has Italy Turned A Corner?
The foundations for economic recovery have been laid by Matteo Renzi’s government, which is tackling fundamental issues at the heart of Italy’s problems. But he has yet to work his magic on public spending.
Economics, Policy & Regulation
Looser Rules May Spur Japanese Fintech Revolution
Japan’s Financial Services Agency is preparing legislation allowing the government to relax restrictions on fintech investment, promising a technological jolt to one of the world’s biggest financial markets.
Capital Raising & Corporate Finance
New Accounting Standard Shines Light On Leased Assets
<strong>Trends | Financial Accounting</strong><br />
A new international accounting standard that came into effect at the beginning of 2016 is already transforming how companies around the world think about their balance sheets.
Capital Raising & Corporate Finance
Risks That Keep CROs Awake At Night
<strong>Management | Risk Management</strong><br />
Cyberattacks, safety concerns, climate change, regulatory demands, declining oil prices, less demand from China, a crumbling and volatile stock market: There is no lack of risks in doing business, and at the start of 2016, they are ever- present for corporations small and large.