Of Interest
you are currently viewing:The World's Oldest Bond Just Celebrated Its 400th Birthday And Still Pays an 13.64 Euro Annual YieldDecember 16, 2024--On December 10,1624, a Dutch water authority issued a bond to fund repairs for a critical dike breach. Four centuries later,that bond is still alive,making it the oldest bond in the world. This perpetual bond, issued by Hoogheemraadschap Lekdijk Bovendams, continues to pay interest, reminding us of the enduring power of financial innovation. The 400th-anniversary celebration saw representatives of the bond's current owner, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), receive an interest payment of €299.42 in Utrecht, Netherlands. Despite the modest annual yield of €13.64, the bond is a testament to the Dutch mastery of financial systems, which played a pivotal role in shaping modern markets. The Origins of the World's Oldest Bond In 1624, the Netherlands faced a devastating dike breach along the River Lek, threatening Amsterdam and surrounding areas. To fund the necessary repairs, Hoogheemraadschap Lekdijk Bovendams issued more than 50 perpetual bonds, raising 23, 000 Carolus guilders. Source: thecapitalist.com |
Infographic-Ranked: The World's Largest Stock Markets
May 26, 2026--U.S.-listed companies are worth more than $75 trillion combined.
America's stock market is larger than the next nine biggest markets combined.
China and Japan are the only other countries with stock markets above $8 trillion.
Analyst on China's spent rocket stages: "Things only continue to get worse"
May 26, 2026--Spent upper stages are the most dangerous kind of space debris.
Up until a decade ago, China had never launched as many as 20 orbital rockets a year. But beginning in 2022, the Asian country launched 64 rockets and last year reached a record total of 93, marking it as the second-most productive space power in the world.
Idle Cash Could Leave over $130,000 on the Table by Retirement, Finds PensionBee
May 19, 2026-New PensionBee analysis reveals the long-term cost of keeping excess cash "safe"
PensionBee, a leading online retirement provider, has published a new analysis of the long-term cost of holding excess cash in high-yield savings accounts (HYSAs) and Certificates of Deposit (CDs) instead of tax-advantaged retirement accounts.
FINRA Announces Review of Higher-Risk Structured Products
May 19, 2026-Consistent with its mission of investor protection, FINRA announced today that it will review firm practices regarding higher-risk structured products, specifically non-principal protected "worst-of" structured notes.
The review will examine how firms supervise concentrations in these products, including how they comply with Regulation Best Interest and FINRA rules when their registered representatives recommend these products to investors.
The Fastest Growing Space Economy Sectors by 2035
May 1, 2026-Key Takeaways
Supply chain and transportation is the fastest-growing sector in the space economy, adding C$445 billion by 2035.
Food, defense, and consumer industries are major growth drivers as they adopt space-enabled technologies.
The state of women's health in numbers
May 1, 2026-The women's health gap means women spend 25% more of their lives in poor health or with disabilities than men, resulting in a loss of 75 million years of life globally.
Addressing this disparity presents a significant economic opportunity, with the potential to boost the global economy by at least $1 trillion annually by 2040.
The World Economic Forum is working to close the women's health gap through initiatives like the Global Alliance for Women's Health.
Fiscal Policy under Pressure: High Debt, Rising Risks
April 15, 2026-Global public debt rose to just under 94 percent of GDP in 2025 and is set to reach 100 percent by 2029- one year earlier than projected in April 2025. This accumulation is driven largely by the world's major economies. Public finances are under strain from mounting spending pressures-on social needs- defense- and strategic autonomy-and rising interest burdens.
War in the Middle East Challenges Global Financial Stability
April 14, 2026-Markets have been broadly orderly so far—but financial stability risks are elevated
Global financial markets entered 2026 from a position of strength. Asset prices rose across major markets- volatility was subdued- and financial conditions were easy by historical standards. That benign backdrop has now been tested by the war in the Middle East.
Global Financial Markets Confront the War in the Middle East and Amplification Risks
April 14, 2026-The April 2026 Global Financial Stability Report assesses elevated financial stability risks amid the war in the Middle East, highlighting how multiple amplification channels could test resilience-and why decisive policy action is needed to safeguard global stability
Global financial stability risks are elevated.
Energy Shock and Uncertainty Slow Growth in East Asia and Pacific
April 8, 2026--Robust support needed for people and firms, deeper reforms for jobs and growth.
Growth in the East Asia and Pacific (EAP) region is slowing in 2026 due to external shocks, says the World Bank Group's EAP Economic Update released today.
