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...
So far in 2025, the hedge fund industry is showing a clear divide: systematic trend-following funds are struggling amid erratic market reversals, while discretionary macro funds are capitalizing on volatility.
📉 Trend funds, reliant on algorithms to follow market momentum, are down over 11% YTD, with major players like Systematica, Transtrend, and Aspect Capital facing losses up to 18.5%. Frequent policy shocks—such as those triggered by Trump-era decisions—have disrupted trends before these models could adapt.
📈 In contrast, discretionary macro funds, which actively shift positions based on evolving market signals, are up nearly 7% on average. Notable performances include:
EDL Capital: +24%
Rokos Capital: +9.5%
Brevan Howard Alpha: +4.32%
Some diversified firms, like Man Group and AQR, have offset trend losses with multi-strategy fund gains.
🔍 Takeaway: In today’s highly volatile landscape, flexibility and discretion matter more than ever. While trend strategies serve a defensive role, nimble macro funds are proving more resilient and adaptive.