Global ETF News Older than One Year
The Fiscal Consequences of Shrinking Populations
October 26, 2015--Summary: This Staff Discussion Note looks at the stark fiscal challenges posed by the decline and aging of populations between now and 2100. It finds that without reforms, pensions and health spending would rise to 25 percent of GDP by end-century in more developed countries (and 16 percent of GDP in less developed countries), with potentially dire fiscal consequences.
Given the uncertainty underlying the population projections and associated large fiscal risks, a multi-pronged approach will be required. This could include entitlement reform-starting now but at a gradual pace; policies that affect demographics and labor markets; and better tax systems and more efficient public expenditure.
Source: IMF
Global Population Ageing: The 21st Century's Formative Market Opportunity
October 26, 2015--New white paper from World Economic Forum Global Agenda Council on Ageing calls businesses to embrace ageing as a powerful market driver
How 21st Century Longevity Can Create Markets and Drive Economic Growth examines the market dynamics created by a 60+ age demographic, whose numbers will reach 2 billion by 2050
Paper introduces age-friendly business principles to guide workplace and workforce alignment to current demographic realities
An ageing global population is bringing to the fore dramatic economic opportunities, as well as powerful arguments for healthy and active ageing. A new white paper from the World Economic Forum's Global Agenda Council on Ageing examines how this powerful market driver is shaping the 21st century. The paper also officially launches the council's Guiding Principles for Age-Friendly Businesses, to help align workplaces and workforces with current age demographic realities.
view the How 21st-Century Longevity Can Create Markets and Drive Economic Growth
Source: World Economic Forum
Fight Against Global Illicit Economy Turns Dark as Size and Growth Remain Unknown
October 26, 2015--The value of the global illicit economy is regularly placed at over $1 trillion. However, data is often out of date, sometimes by more than 10 years.
This lack of information, and lack of coordination in fighting it, has encouraged illicit trade to proliferate, according to a new paper by the World Economic Forum Global Agenda Council on the Illicit Economy
Technology offers many solutions to tackling crime, but poses challenges too. Other best practices include harmonization of databases and better global coordination across agencies.
view the State of the Illicit Economy-Briefing Papers
Source: WEF (World Economic Forum)
Smart beta: 2015 global survey findings from asset owners
October 26, 2015--The results are in for the FTSE Russell 2015 Smart Beta Survey. In 2015 a follow-up to the well-received 2014 survey was conducted to better understand the progression in perceptions and adoption of smart beta globally.
This comprehensive analysis provides greater detail and insight into the growing interested in and adoption of smart beta among asset owners.
Source: Russell
WEF-Millennials Rate Social and Economic Inequality as Top Challenge Globally and Locally
October 25, 2015--Millennials see inequality as the greatest challenge both in their home cities and the world at large
With responses from 125 countries and 285 cities, the Global Shapers Annual Survey 2015 is one of the most geographically diverse surveys of millennials
The respondents are members of the World Economic Forum's Global Shapers Community.
A survey of over 1,000 young people aged between 20 and 30 from around the globe finds that millennials rate social and economic inequality as the top challenge the world faces globally and locally. Asked what sectors will drive growth in their cities in the short term, technology, tourism and government were the top answers. On the question of what they look for in a job, the opportunity to make a difference in society dominated the survey, with 65% of respondents selecting this choice. Ninety-one per cent of respondents indicated that they would be willing to relocate to advance their careers.
view the Global Shapers Annual Survey 2015
Source: World Economic Forum (WEF)
Nasdaq buys Secondmarket as hot companies stay private longer
October 22, 2015--Trading behemoth Nasdaq Inc., is betting that investors' growing interest in privately held companies, like Uber and Airbnb, is more than a passing fad.
Nasdaq's private market unit, which lets people buy and sell shares of privately held companies, has acquired SecondMarket, which does the same thing, the companies announced on Thursday.
Source: USA Today
World Bank Revises Down Forecasts for Oil Prices, Other Key Commodities in 2015 and 2016
October 20, 2015--In its latest commodity update, the World Bank is lowering its 2015 forecast for crude oil prices from $57 per barrel in its July report to $52 per barrel. The revised forecast reflects a further slowing in global economic performance, high current oil inventories, and expectations that Iranian oil exports will rise after the lifting of international sanctions, according to the Bank's new Commodity Markets Outlook, a quarterly update on the state of the international commodity markets.
The Bank's Energy Price Index tumbled 17 percent in the third quarter of 2015 from the previous three-month period, led by a renewed plunge in oil prices prompted by expectations of slower global growth, particularly in China and other emerging markets, abundant supplies, and prospects of higher Iranian exports next year. Energy prices are expected to average 43 percent lower in 2015 than in 2014. For commodities excluding energy, the World Bank reports a 5 percent decline in prices in Q3, and forecasts.
view the World Bank Commodity Markets Outlook-Understanding El Niño
Source: World Bank
Behind the UK-China-EU menage a trois
October 20, 2015--"Let's stick together and make a golden decade for both our countries," said UK Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne.
Indeed, the "Osborne Doctrine" preceded President Xi Jinping's UK state visit in September, when the Chancellor visited China and announced the British governmen'’s intention to make the UK China's "best partner in the West."
Source: euobserver.com
Liquidity Rules Make Liquid Assets Less Liquid
October 20, 2015--New liquidity requirements are turning banks into hoarders, according to analysis by Interactive Data Corp.
Research by the data provider found that banks are stockpiling high-quality, liquid assets to comply with new bank liquidity risk-management rules passed after the financial crisis.
Source: Wall Street Journal
Challenges ahead for Islamic finance as crude prices drop
October 20, 2015--The fast-growing Islamic finance industry is facing headwinds from the oil price plunge amid rapid regulatory changes, and lack of integration, Standard and Poor's Ratings Services said on Monday.
"We think Islamic finance growth will drop to single digits in 2016 from between 10 per cent and 15 per cent over the past decade," S&P said in a report. The ratings agency said that such rapid growth had seen the Islamic finance industry exceed an estimated $2 trillion in value.
Source: khaleejtimes.com
