Slow food for thought

Insights and research on global events shaping the markets

The city of Birmingham, the second largest in England after London, has announced to its residents that it can no longer meet its financial obligations. What are the causes and consequences? Birmingham has always been at the heart of the UK's growth, from its role in the Industrial Revolution as a manufacturing powerhouse to its current importance as a centre for finance, education and culture. Its diverse population, rich heritage and strategic location have made it a magnet for business, tourism and investment. However, the recent financial crisis has cast a shadow over its illustrious history, raising questions about its future and the wider implications for other UK cities.

The world, and the markets, have done better than survive one of the most resounding bank failures in history. But at what price? Fifteen years ago, a monument to global finance collapsed, leaving behind a gap of more than $600 billion. On the night of 14 September 2008, Washington decided to let go of the Lehman Brothers investment bank. And what Wall Street feared the most became reality: a major bank went bankrupt, plunging the financial markets and the global economy into an immense unknown.

Nvidia has become the must-have name when it comes to investing into the artificial intelligence theme. But there are other options to consider. Including vigilance...

The tug-of-war between Grayscale and the SEC over the conversion of the famous Bitcoin Trust into an Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) continues to rock the cryptocurrency world.

How do different generations perceive the world of investment and savings? As technology and society evolve, each generation approaches the world of investing in a different way. Baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, were influenced by events such as the post-war boom and the great recession. Generation X, born between 1965 and 1980, were forced to switch from traditional banking to online banking platforms. Millennials, born between 1981 and 1996, are influenced by the digital age and favour instant information and sustainable investments. Generation Z, born between 1997 and 2012, is even more digitally driven, demanding constant connectivity and instant access to (cheap) information.

The two "sister republics" (the United States and Switzerland) have in turn drawn inspiration from each other's constitutions. A mimicry that has no place when it comes to fiscal responsibility and indebtedness.

Mattel's Barbie influencer marketing campaign is a huge success. Here are 7 lessons to ponder.

AI, lifelong learning, hybrid work, Gig Economy, well-being, ESG, etc. Here are 10 key themes that are shaking up the daily lives of employees and companies alike.

An opportunity or a threat? The US Treasuries market presents both challenges and opportunities for investors. Focusing on the belly of the yield curve offers attractive entry points with historically high real yields.

|

08/08/2023

At the end of last month, OpenAI’s founder Sam Altman launched Worldcoin (WLD), a new cryptocurrency with an identity verification system based on the human iris. His ambition: to make the global economy more accessible.

1 2 3 4 5

Straight from the Desk

Syz the moment

Live feeds, charts, breaking stories, all day long.

Thinking out loud

Sign up for our weekly email highlighting the most popular posts.

Follow us

Thinking out loud

Investing with intelligence

Our latest research, commentary and market outlooks