BUSINESS
Soaring Spac redemptions signal their fall from favour
The average redemption rate during the third quarter was 52.4 per cent, according to data provider Dealogic, significantly up from the first three months of the year
TRENDS
When obstacles become opportunities to work better, writes Tim Harford
A shock can prompt us to find new and better ways to live our lives, both individually and collectively, writes Tim Harford.
BUSINESS
More Federal Reserve officials see first interest rate rise in 2022
Nine officials on the FOMC now expect a US rate increase next year, up from seven officials in June
BUSINESS
Gentle Jay does it again
Is the Fed chair a master communicator, who has signalled his intentions so clearly that when he states them explicitly, the market takes it easy?
BUSINESS
Evergrande and the end of China’s ‘build, build, build’ model
The debt mountain of Evergrande underlines both the speed at which corporate fortunes can swing and the deep flaws in China’s growth template
BUSINESS
China’s property slowdown sends chill through the economy
The debt crisis at Evergrande is symptomatic of the Chinese government’s precarious position
BUSINESS
LinkedIn may be the nerdiest social network — but its strategy is working
In the past three years, LinkedIn has added about 200 million new users. Its annual revenues have nearly doubled to $10 billion
BUSINESS
Robots have entered a new phase — and Cathie Wood’s Ark is betting on it
The CEO has staked her faith in Japan’s ability to lead a tech-centric global industrial revolution
BUSINESS
Unpublished ECB inflation estimate raises prospect of earlier rate rise
The internal forecast is likely to intensify debate about how quickly major central banks will reverse the massive stimulus to counter the pandemic
BUSINESS
Investor activism cannot fix Unilever’s trust deficit
Investor confidence has taken a hit by the CEO’s penchant for purpose rather than profit, along with a badly botched-up sales warning
BUSINESS
Cryptocurrency: Rise of decentralised finance sparks ‘dirty money’ fears
Regulators are worried about the secrecy of the crypto trade — in which coins are controlled by the holder of a “private key”
BUSINESS
Global house prices rise at fastest pace since 2005, report says
The average annual price change across 55 countries rose to 9.2 per cent in the 12 months to June, according to property consultancy Knight Frank
BUSINESS
Beijing to break up Ant’s Alipay and force creation of separate loans app
The Chinese government is seen to end Big Tech’s monopoly power that comes from their control of data
BUSINESS
The ECB has secured a taper without a tantrum
The European central bank’s decision to slow its purchase of assets gives something to everyone
BUSINESS
Michael Holding: ‘I didn’t worry about who was at the crease’
The West Indian former cricketer’s voice resonates with a greying but dedicated viewership who prefers the longer game’s slowly unfurling narratives
BUSINESS
NFT mania is sign of a land grab for the online ‘metaverse’
New NFT marketplaces are popping up, from established crypto companies to those who dominate online shopping in Japan and China
BUSINESS
Top Fed official pushes for quick ‘taper’ despite weak US jobs growth
James Bullard, president of the St Louis Fed, has dismissed concerns the labour market recovery was faltering
BUSINESS
China and Big Tech: Xi’s blueprint for a digital dictatorship
By controlling a huge volume of data, Beijing is conducting a grand experiment in 21st century authoritarian governance
BUSINESS
The Chinese control revolution: the Maoist echoes of Xi’s power play
The Chinese leader is extending the party’s dominance over civil society. The flurry of activity has many of the hallmarks of a new political era
BUSINESS
The downside of the economics of self-reliance
If a coming investment push is inward-looking, it might substitute global trade rather than complement it
BUSINESS
Has US corporate profitability peaked?
Mentions of ‘inflation’ or ‘shortage’ in S&P 500 earnings transcripts this quarter hit the highest level since at least 2010
BUSINESS
Tim Harford writes: The power of putting yourself in someone else’s shoes
Companies can come up with better product designs if they devote more time to watching people trying to follow their instructions
BUSINESS
China’s changing role in the world economy
There are signs that China’s recovery is losing momentum
BUSINESS
Investors eye emerging market upswing after China shock
Emerging stock markets such as Brazil, India, Turkey or South Africa have trailed significantly behind developed markets
