An extended period of benign funding conditions has changed corporate bond markets globally. This column shows how the investment grade segment has become dominated by the lowest-rated (BBB) issuers, and these issuers have become more leveraged over time. Given the large stock of BBB-rated bonds, even relatively low transition rates – downgrades from investment grade […]
Imagine living in a country where basic services are a luxury, the government is on the brink of collapse, and economic stability feels like a distant dream. This is the reality for almost one billion people in so called fragile and conflict-affected states—nations struggling to provide even the most fundamental necessities to their citizens, often […]
The clean energy transition is driving soaring demand for energy transition minerals (ETMs), such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and copper, which are essential for manufacturing solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, and electric vehicles. This unprecedented demand surge is opening new opportunities for mineral-rich developing countries, particularly in Africa, to attract foreign investment, create jobs and boost […]
