Category: Economy

Economy, Growth, US
Colin Henderson

Civilised societies depend on institutions. The more complex the society, the more vital those institutions. Institutions provide stability, predictability and security. Companies, schools, universities, and courts are all institutions. But the most important institutions are those of the state. This is why Donald Trump’s assault on what his supporters misleadingly call “the deep state” is so dangerous. Some of them think the state should be servile to the whims of the great leader. Others think it should be at the service of the wealthy. Both sides agree that its ability to meet the needs of the wider public is of … Continue reading

Canada, Economy

‘Breakdown Nation’: Ruchir Sharma on what went wrong with Canada and how to fix it

Colin Henderson

Veteran global investor on American exceptionalism, the future of globalization and how Canada became a breakdown nation Published Jan 30, 2025  •  Last updated 3 days ago  •  12 minute read As a veteran global investor, Ruchir Sharma has built a career out of identifying the next winners in emerging markets. But even superstar economies can crumble into “breakdown nations” — a label Sharma recently bestowed on Canada. Sharma is chairman of the investment firm Rockefeller International, founder and chief investment officer of Breakout Capital, a contributing editor to the Financial Times and the author of several books, including “What Went Wrong with Capitalism.” In this Q&A … Continue reading ‘Breakdown Nation’: Ruchir Sharma on what went wrong with Canada and how to fix it

Economy1 Comment

Jeff Bezos’ Space Ambitions Take Flight as New Rocket Blasts Off

Colin Henderson

After years of delays, the billionaire’s Blue Origin space company launched its New Glenn rocket early Thursday Micah MaidenbergJan. 16, 2025 at 2:17 am “All of the things we want to do in the future rely on New Glenn,” Bezos said in a recent interview.  New Glenn measures more than 320 feet tall. It is designed to conduct regular flights using reusable boosters, lofting commercial and national-security satellites into orbit. The rocket eventually is meant to launch astronaut crews. It is also years behind schedule. Blue Origin had intended to have New Glenn readyyears ago but struggled with technical and production … Continue reading Jeff Bezos’ Space Ambitions Take Flight as New Rocket Blasts Off

Economy

The Costs of Falling Fertility

Colin Henderson

John Authers Bloomberg Falling fertility is a problem across the developed world. Unlike many other risks, demographic changes can be predicted with some certainty; sliding birth rates translate directly into smaller populations ahead. That is a good thing in many ways. Two hundred years ago, the Malthusian fear was of population growth so rapid that it outstripped natural resources. But there are other ways in which it’s a serious problem, which could also create opportunities for those who offer solutions. And so the McKinsey Global Institute offers a new report on “confronting the consequences of a new demographic reality.” As it sounds, … Continue reading The Costs of Falling Fertility

Economy1 Comment

Two million people are expected to leave in Canada’s immigration reset

Colin Henderson

Two million people are expected to leave the country in Canada’s immigration reset. What if they don’t? Economists and lawyers warn that Ottawa’s goal to curb population growth in such a short time will create chaos and confusion in a system already on the edge Author of the article: Naimul Karim Published Dec 19, 2024  •  Last updated 4 days ago  •  10 minute read 167 Comments Article content Despite moving to Canada from India in 2018 as an international student and receiving a work permit upon graduating two years later, Dinesh* lives in Ontario today as a visitor even though that was obviously not … Continue reading Two million people are expected to leave in Canada’s immigration reset

Economy1 Comment

Election Live Updates: Trump Empowers Musk and Ramaswamy to Overhaul Federal Government

Colin Henderson

Among a blizzard of announcements on Tuesday, the president-elect said he had chosen Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, two of his most prominent wealthy backers, to lead what is being called the Department of Government Efficiency. Get notifications for updates on this story. Pinned Updated Nov. 12, 2024, 10:10 p.m. ET30 minutes ago Michael D. Shear and Eric Lipton Here are the latest developments. President-elect Donald J. Trump is turning to two of his most prominent wealthy backers, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, to overhaul the federal government, saying on Tuesday that they would lead what he called the Department of Government Efficiency. Calling … Continue reading Election Live Updates: Trump Empowers Musk and Ramaswamy to Overhaul Federal Government

Canada, Economy

Financial planning in Canada is a mess

Colin Henderson

This from the Financial Post confirms planning is not co-ordinated at all and hardly considers black swan events. Financial Post FP Posthaste Nov 01, 2024 The third quarter has been a real thorn in the side of the Bank of Canada when it comes to trying to pin down gross domestic product, and the latest data is only causing policymakers more grief. In the central bank’s October Monetary Policy Report (MPR), it forecasted third-quarter GDP of 1.5 per cent, a big drop from its 2.8 per cent estimate in July. After the GDP data release on Thursday, the central bank’s … Continue reading Financial planning in Canada is a mess

africa, Economy

On The Payments Ecosystem And Africa:

Colin Henderson

On The Payments Ecosystem And Africa: ‘That’s Disruption, That’s Power, That’s Inclusion’ RAGHU MALHOTRA (PHOTOS BY AJEESH LOTUS) Published 3 days ago https://www.forbesafrica.com/ceo-strategies/2024/10/16/ceo-strategies-thats-disruption-thats-power-thats-inclusion/ By Renuka Methil With Mastercard for almost a quarter of a century now, is well-versed with the digital payments and financial services landscape. As the president of global enterprise growth, he divides his time between Dubai and London. Here, he imparts some of the learnings from his vast stints in the African continent, and what he thinks the future holds. Growth outlook for Africa If you [look at] macroeconomics, it’s no longer one or two countries driving the continent’s … Continue reading On The Payments Ecosystem And Africa:

Business Models, Economy

Chief executives at major Canadian companies are looking to mergers and acquisitions for growth, according to a recent survey from KPMG International Ltd.

Colin Henderson

Its annual CEO outlook said 41 per cent of Canadian CEOs are likely to make an acquisition that would significantly impact their operations. Only nine per cent are unlikely to make an acquisition at all. Nine in 10 chief executives of large corporations have a high to moderate desire to acquire when the timeline is broadened to three years, and 40 per cent are mulling major deals. A similar survey of small and midsized businesses (SMBs) said just 34 per cent of them are looking at acquisitions. “As the cost of capital eases, investors and corporates are becoming more confident about … Continue reading Chief executives at major Canadian companies are looking to mergers and acquisitions for growth, according to a recent survey from KPMG International Ltd.

AI, Business Models, Economics, Economy

Population shrinkage and the challenge to mitigate impacts on growth

Colin Henderson

Follow up to the NY Times piece ” Can the Government get people to have more babies?” See link at Population 2050. Population 2050 The previous post describes the political backdrop to the shrinkage in population overtaking the large western economies. Why should countries care about shrinking populations at a time of climate change, increasing risk of nuclear catastrophe and the prospect of artificial intelligence taking over jobs? At a global level, there is no shortage of people. But drastically low birthrates can lead to problems in individual countries. At first glance population in times of fewer jobs, climate change and geopolitical turmoil … Continue reading Population shrinkage and the challenge to mitigate impacts on growth