Economy

Delegates are gathering at the King Abdulaziz Conference Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the eighth iteration of the Future Investment Initiative (FII), a key economic forum central to the kingdom's Vision 2030 strategy to modernize and diversify the economy. This year's event will see an influx of financiers, entrepreneurs and investors, all eager to engage with Saudi Arabia's ambitious economic plans. In previous editions the FII has characterized itself as a mine of financing opportunities. However, this year fund managers express a more cautious outlook. As the kingdom tightens regulations for both local and foreign investors, it grapples with…

The landscape of Chinese companies seeking initial public offerings (IPOs) in the United States and Hong Kong is showing promising signs of recovery, as analysts predict a surge in listings next year. This optimism is fueled by several successful public offerings this year outside mainland China, which have renewed investor confidence in profitable exits. On October 25, 2024, Chinese autonomous driving company WeRide made its debut on the Nasdaq, with shares rising nearly 6.8% on its first day of trading. Earlier this month, another player in the autonomous vehicle space, Pony.ai, submitted its application to list on the Nasdaq, reflecting…

Ray Dalio, the founder of Bridgewater Associates, shared his insights on the current state of American politics and economics during his appearance at the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on October 30, 2024. His remarks focused on the deep divisions between the Democratic and Republican Parties, implications of the growing national deficit, and strategies for investors navigating these turbulent waters. Dalio expressed his concerns about the polarization of US politics, saying it has reached a point where the differences between the two major parties appear increasingly irreconcilable. “Both candidates worry me,” Dalio noted in an interview with CNBC.…

On June 9, 2024, Russia's central bank raised its key interest rate by 200 basis points to 21% in response to sharp increases in consumer prices and ongoing inflation risks. This decision follows a previous rate hike in September, which brought the rate to 19%. The move exceeded analysts' expectations of a 100 basis point increase, marking the highest rate since early 2003. The last comparable rate was in February 2022, soon after Russia's invasion of Ukraine , when the rate was increased to stabilize the markets. Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina acknowledged the possibility of further rate hikes, discussing…