The BRICS bloc — comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and recently expanded members — is set to announce a new investment guarantee fund backed by the New Development Bank (NDB). The goal: lower financing costs and unlock private investment in developing countries.🔸 Modeled after the World Bank’s Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), the...
Despite market gyrations and U.S. trade policy uncertainty, hedge funds delivered positive results in the first half of 2025, according to a new report from Goldman Sachs and sources familiar with fund performance.📈 Key Highlights (H1 2025):Stock-picking hedge funds: +3% in June, +6% YTDSystematic equity funds: −0.68% in June, but still +11.91% YTDS&P 500 and...
Despite market gyrations and U.S. trade policy uncertainty, hedge funds delivered positive results in the first half of 2025, according to a new report from Goldman Sachs and sources familiar with fund performance.📈 Key Highlights (H1 2025):Stock-picking hedge funds: +3% in June, +6% YTDSystematic equity funds: −0.68% in June, but still +11.91% YTDS&P 500 and...
Foreign direct investment (FDI) into developing economies fell to $435 billion in 2023, the lowest level since 2005, according to the World Bank’s latest report. Advanced economies also saw weak inflows—just $336 billion, the lowest since 1996.This sharp drop signals more than just economic turbulence—it represents a serious threat to long-term development efforts, from job...
At the recent UN Ocean Conference in Nice, $10B in ocean investment commitments were announced—far below the $175B/year needed to protect marine ecosystems and build a sustainable blue economy.
Despite growing interest, unclear regulation remains a major barrier for private capital. As Oliver Withers (Standard Chartered) noted:
“The high seas don’t belong to any one sovereign. That presents a unique challenge.”
Only 50 countries have ratified the 2023 High Seas Treaty. The U.S. is notably absent. Lack of enforceable rules and robust data is holding back private investment, which remains dwarfed by public sector funding.
Francine Pickup (UNDP) said:
“Public finance isn’t enough. But private finance is even less. This sector is in its infancy.”
Between 2020–2025, ocean tech captured just 0.4% of $202B in climate-related investments. To fix this, we need:
Clear regulation (esp. on overfishing, mining, pollution)
Stronger policy incentives
Investable blue tech pipelines
As BNP Paribas’ Robert-Alexandre Poujade put it:
“We need a treaty with teeth and enforcement.”
There are signs of progress: 20+ countries backed a moratorium on deep-sea mining; new Marine Protected Areas were created. But real momentum requires action—not just pledges.
As Seychelles’ Minister Flavien Joubert said:
“The ocean has been the last area we pillage without thinking about tomorrow.”
Let’s change that—before it’s too late.
The Bank of Japan (BOJ) kept its short-term interest rate unchanged at 0.5% on Tuesday, while announcing it would slow the pace of bond purchase reductions starting next fiscal year. The move signals a measured and cautious approach to unwinding its long-standing monetary stimulus.While the decision was widely expected, it comes at a complex time...