If you want a peek at the future, try looking at Japan. It’s a sobering exercise. Here’s how economist Timothy Taylor, managing editor of Journal of Economic Perspectives, describes country’s outlook: “[Japan] is facing a situation of a declining population and workforce, and the share of the population that is elderly is on the rise. [This is] driving up government ...

In China, debt takes many shapes – on the books, off the books, or buried deep within the financial system. Now, debt can even be considered equity. In a bid to boost the economy, China announced it would allow local governments to borrow more to fund infrastructure investment. As part of this push, it will let municipalities use the proceeds ...

At first glance, it looks like dealmaking is booming in the US and dead in Europe. Contrast United Technologies Corp.’s blockbuster tie-up with fellow defense contractor Raytheon Co. and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV’s decision to pull out of talks with Renault SA. The reality is more that transactions are getting harder everywhere as protectionism mixes with trustbusters and awkward shareholders. ...