Breaking down billions
No time to read the new U.S. legislation’s 2,700 pages? Here’s a high-level breakdown. Click through for details on the newly authorized spending.
To read the article, see “The US Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: Breaking it down,” November 12, 2021.
Semiconductors bring back the sizzle
The semiconductor sector’s profits are climbing, both absolutely and relative to other industries, and show no signs of slowing. The sector saw aggregate profits escalate from USD 3.5 billion in 2000–04 to $49.3 billion 2016–20. In future, we estimate that semiconductors could be the world’s third-most profitable industry.
To read the article, see “Value creation: How can the semiconductor industry keep outperforming?,” October 15, 2021.
Crazy for crypto but allergic to risk?
For the risk-averse, stablecoins—multiple private, stabilized cryptocurrencies—are a less volatile form of digital currency. Stablecoins gained steam during the first half of 2021, with nearly USD 3 trillion traded on exchanges.
To read the article, see “CBDC and stablecoins: Early coexistence on an uncertain road,” October 11, 2021.
Women see broken rungs on the asset-management ladder
Women have a tough time getting a foothold on the corporate ladder in financial services overall but particularly in the asset-management sector. There, the representation of women—and especially women of colour—declines at every position after entry level and has the lowest amount of representation in the C-suite.
To read the article, see “Closing the gender and race gaps in North American financial services,” October 21, 2021.