Opinion

  Global bond markets trade on variables such as currency valuations, global fund flows, inflation expectations and monetary policy that can determine the level of interest-rate differentials. Recently these differentials have widened dramatically, specifically in developed markets such as Japan, the UK and Germany, relative to the US. There are multiple theories about why these differentials exist and how they …

  I’ve always thought that the fastest way to get flying cars would be to spread rumors that China built one first. Well, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority just announced that they have a Chinese-made flying car, and intend to put flying taxis in service this summer. Meanwhile, we’re still anticipating the flying cars promised by Uber Inc., Airbus Group …

  Forget Donald Trump. Long before the White House began trafficking in alternative facts, Venezuela’s government had cornered the market in magical thinking. You say gross economic mismanagement is wrecking the economy? Nonsense, volleyed President Nicolas Maduro, the disappearance of goods like food and medicine is the work of unscrupulous profiteers. The continent’s largest oil producer can’t keep the lights …

  By all means, let’s have a carbon tax. It’s the best way to deal with global climate change. It would require Republicans and Democrats to compromise — a good thing — and would provide revenues for a government that desperately needs more revenue. Fine. But let’s not pretend that a carbon tax is a panacea for either climate change …

  Clients come first. In investment banking, a world where dealmakers spend years (or even decades) cultivating relationships with company executives, that mantra rings loud and clear. Bankers advising on mergers and acquisitions have historically tied their fates to that of clients, generally pocketing the bulk of their fees only when a deal crosses the finish line. It’s an outcome …

  To recap a few anarchic days in Donald Trump’s Washington: At least six agencies are investigating Trump’s ties to Russia. The president is deriding the spies. The spies are keeping secrets from the president. The White House is mulling a purge. Everyone is leaking to the news media. And no one has any answers. If there’s one certainty in …

  US Vice President Mike Pence assured European allies that Washington strongly supports NATO. Pence said the US would be unwavering in its commitment to trans-Atlantic institution. President Donald Trump rattled European allies by branding NATO ‘obsolete’ in one of his interviews before the inauguration. European countries along Russian border grew uncomfortable after Trump suggested that sanctions imposed after Russia’s …

  It’s been more than three months since Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi went on television to tell his people that 86 percent of their currency would be worthless in a few hours. Since then, his government has scrambled to find justification for such an unprecedented and draconian decision — one justification after another, as it happens. First, the goal …

  Packaged-food investors, you’re out of luck … for now. Speculation about 3G Capital’s next target has been bubbling since the private equity firm orchestrated the merger of Kraft Foods Group Inc. and H.J. Heinz in 2015. We finally know what it’s chosen: Unilever on Friday confirmed Kraft Heinz Co. had offered $143 billion to acquire the European consumer goods …

  Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg’s manifesto, penned clearly in response to accusations leveled at the social network in the wake of the bitter US election campaign, is a scary, dystopian document. It shows that Facebook — launched, in Zuckerberg’s own words five years ago, to “extend people’s capacity to build and maintain relationships” — is turning into something of an …