Investment bank Goldman Sachs is on track to advise on an estimated 34% of the $3.8 trillion in global M&A deals so far in 2025 , up from 28% in 2024. While this highlights the bank’s strength, it also raises questions about concentration in financial advisory services, regulatory oversight, and market structure. Market Snapshot According to data from LSEG, Goldman’s share of announced global M&A value in 2025 is approximately 34%, the highest since 2001. Despite the high adv

The recent electoral shifts in Germany have rattled investor confidence across Europe, sparking a surge in sovereign bond yields at a time when growth remains fragile and fiscal flexibility is constrained. With Europe’s largest economy at a crossroads, the implications for liquidity, policy and investor flows are significant. Institutional Risk as Government Formation Lags Following the parliamentary election held on 23 February 2025, the new governing coalition has faced dif

Recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveal that the UK unemployment rate rose to 5.0% for the three months to September, the highest level since early 2021. This deterioration in the labour market has strengthened expectations that the Bank of England (BoE) will move to reduce interest rates in December. Labour Market Softening: Key Indicators Payroll figures indicate a decline of 32,000 jobs in both September and October, marking the largest two-month d

Emerging market currencies are navigating a tricky backdrop as global central banks continue moving in different directions, forcing capital flows and foreign exchange dynamics to shift in unexpected ways. Diverging Monetary Paths, Diverging FX Responses While some advanced economy central banks are hinting at rate cuts or holding steady rates due to soft growth, many emerging market central banks either remain on hold or are still in a tightening phase, driven by inflation r

Global markets are showing renewed calm as U.S. lawmakers move closer to resolving the record long government shutdown , a breakthrough that has lifted investor confidence and reduced one of the key political risks weighing on sentiment. After weeks of stalemate, Senate leaders from both parties  have reached the outline of a temporary funding compromise designed to reopen federal operations and extend government spending for several months. Negotiations remain delicate, but

Analysts at Morgan Stanley are raising serious red flags about mounting corporate tax risks in France , warning that recent amendments to the French budget bill could reshape the investment calculus for large multinationals operating in the country. Budget Bill Proposals Spark Concern Late last month, France introduced a series of tax-related proposals as part of its budget for next year, including: A corporate tax surcharge  for large firms. A new tax aimed at the imbalance

The Eurozone economy expanded at its strongest pace in more than two years , driven by an unexpected surge in the services sector and improved consumer sentiment, according to new PMI and GDP data released this week. The rebound offers rare optimism for the region, which has struggled with stagnation and inflation pressures since 2022. Services Take the Lead The bloc’s services PMI climbed sharply, marking its fourth consecutive month of expansion. Tourism, hospitality, and p

Trade friction between Washington and Brussels is heating up once again, this time over green subsidies and electric vehicle imports , reviving concerns about a potential transatlantic economic rift just as both sides face slowing growth. Background: From Cooperation to Competition Initially aligned on clean energy goals, the U.S. and EU are now at odds over what European officials describe as “protectionist distortions”  in the American Inflation Reduction Act legislation th

The European Union has officially passed its long awaited Artificial Intelligence Act , marking the world’s most comprehensive legal framework for regulating AI technology to date. The legislation introduces tiered risk classifications , transparency mandates, and heavy compliance obligations for developers and corporations deploying AI across critical sectors from healthcare to finance and public services. A Global Benchmark After more than three years of negotiation, the AI

U.S. manufacturing has now contracted for an eighth consecutive month , with the latest survey showing worsened new orders and delayed supplier deliveries. At the same time, the ongoing U.S. government shutdown has stopped many key economic data releases, forcing global supply chain managers and investors into information limbo . Together, these two developments are raising alarms across global trade flows and industrial production chains. Key Dynamics The slump in U.S. manuf

The European Union has announced plans to tighten controls on exports of critical semiconductor and advanced-material technologies to China, marking a significant escalation in the high technology trade war. The measures target not just final products but also components and manufacturing equipment that feed China’s chip fabrication ambitions. Why it matters Europe is home to some of the world’s leading equipment-makers and material suppliers in the chip supply chain. Limitin

Markets entered midweek trading in a mixed mood following the Federal Reserve’s decision to cut rates slightly while warning that future policy moves are not guaranteed . Chair Jerome Powell’s tone was measured less about stimulus, more about stability. The announcement effectively signaled that the Fed wants to ease financial conditions  without reigniting inflation fears. Investors welcomed the relief but quickly recognized the subtext: the central bank still sees risk on b

Asian and global markets rallied early this week after reports confirmed that U.S. and Chinese trade officials  met in Malaysia and agreed to resume formal negotiations at a trilateral summit in South Korea  later this week. Investors reacted immediately, with the Nikkei 225  climbing nearly 1.8%  and KOSPI  up over 2% , led by semiconductor and industrial exporters. Futures in Europe and the U.S. followed suit as traders priced in a potential easing of trade tensions and sup

Today, the European Union announced that it would press ahead with a digital services tax targeting large U.S. tech firms unless the Organisation for Economic Co operation and Development (OECD) multilateral pact is finalized in the next six weeks. The move has stirred market concern around global tax policy drift and technology sector headwinds. What happened The European Commission stated that the existing transitional arrangements will expire, and unilateral action may com

On October 27, 2025, markets rallied sharply on signs that Donald Trump and Xi Jinping may soon formalize a trade deal after senior officials from the U.S. and China reportedly settled a “very substantial framework” ahead of a summit. What happened Negotiators in Malaysia indicated progress on key issues including rare earth export controls, tariff relief and agricultural commitments. The talk of a leadership meeting later this week triggered equity, commodity and currency mo

In a significant policy move, the U.S. administration has signalled it may take direct equity stakes in key companies  within critical-technology sectors (quantum computing, semiconductors, rare earths) as a strategic tool in its competition with China. These aren’t simple grants or subsidies they represent a shift toward partial ownership, which may change governance, capital flow dynamics and valuation frameworks for affected companies. Why this is a market-mover Stocks in

In a notable policy pivot, the Donald Trump administration is reportedly preparing to take equity stakes  in several U.S. technology firms operating in “strategic” sectors such as quantum computing and semiconductors for the explicit purpose of countering competition from China and bolstering domestic industrial strength. What the initiative involves According to multiple reports, companies including IonQ, Rigetti Computing and D‑Wave Quantum are in discussions with U.S. regu

The global corporate world is grappling with the fallout from heavy US tariffs, which as of October 2025 have already cost companies more than $35 billion  in reported burdens. Yet, the mood is shifting, executives report that conditions are beginning to clarify, thanks in part to newer trade deals and greater visibility. Details worth noting The $35 bn figure includes large firms, e.g., Toyota estimates ~$9.5 bn alone in cost impacts. Industries most impacted include consume

The credit-rating agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P) downgraded France’s sovereign rating from AA to A+, citing mounting political instability rather than just fiscal deterioration. Key Takeaways The downgrade followed repeated government changes six prime ministers since 2022 and parliamentary gridlock. Forecasted deficits of ~5.3% in 2026 and debt rising to ~121% of GDP by 2028 undermined confidence in the government’s fiscal plan. Implications & Risks Investors in French gover

Introduction Former President Donald Trump shared a cartoon image on social media showing himself firing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome...