Author: Charlotte

Introduction The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been the primary source of public information in agriculture for over 150 years. Many agricultural market participants and analysts share a common belief that USDA forecasts function as a benchmark for other private and public forecasts, which is not surprising given the classic public goods problem of private underinvestment in information and the critical role that public information plays in coordinating the beliefs of market participants. Public interest in this topic has further increased with the surge in communications technology, computing power, storage, and remote sensing in the last two decades,…

WHA Industrial Development International (SG) Pte. Ltd., a Thailand-based industrial estate developer, has proposed a $105 million industrial park covering about 400 hectares in the central city of Danang, targeting high-tech industries, electronics, engineering, logistics and other sectors. Danang People’s Committee Chairman Nguyen Manh Hung on Wednesday met with Pajongwit Pongsivapai, CEO of WHA Industrial Development, and a delegation visiting the city to study investment opportunities. At the meeting, the WHA executives reported on their research and investment proposals in Danang, with a focus on the construction and operation of infrastructure at the proposed WHA Danang Industrial Park. Danang City…

India’s mutual fund industry continued to attract strong investor participation in August 2026, with equity mutual funds recording their 66th consecutive month of positive inflows, even as debt funds saw a sharp reversal from July’s exceptionally high inflows. The industry’s net AUM rose 1.5% month-on-month to ₹87.08 lakh crore in August, from ₹85.76 lakh crore in July, according to AMFI data. Average AUM stood at ₹88.31 lakh crore during the month. While equity flows strengthened, debt-oriented mutual fund categories recorded net outflows of ₹8,711 crore in August, compared with massive net inflows of ₹1.88 lakh crore in July. According to Morningstar Investment…

Americans who have been grappling with the higher cost of living over the last few years now face another issue: trouble in the US bond market that could mean elevated costs are here to stay.US government bonds – known as treasuries – are supposed to be the most stable type of investment vehicle. But investor concerns over issues including rising inflation, the continuing war with Iran, and the US’s record national debt have shaken the market and slowed demand for US treasury bonds.Loans for homes, cars and credit cards, along with money businesses borrow to keep things running, could get…

Many mutual fund investors believe that a concentrated portfolio would help them to earn better returns. They believe many mutual fund schemes offer average returns because they have an extremely large diversified portfolio. Such investors may consider investing in focused mutual fund schemes.According to Sebi norms, focused equity mutual fund schemes must invest in a portfolio of maximum 30 stocks. These schemes have no other restrictions when it comes to investing- like flexi cap schemes they can invest in any market capitalisations and sectors. If that investment strategy appeals to you, you can get to know more about focused equity…

What ADIA changed ADIA, a roughly $1 trillion sovereign wealth investor, widened its target band for private equity to 15%-20% of the overall portfolio from 12%-17% a year ago. It also increased the allocation range for financial alternatives – an area in which it already ranks among the largest supporters of hedge funds – to 7%-12% from 5%-10%. Those updates appear in its 2025 annual review published Thursday. Why ADIA is shifting allocations The review flagged a clear rebound in deal exits in 2025, noting global exit value climbed above $1 trillion, a threshold last reached in 2021. It also…

This blog was originally published as a Director’s blog in June 2021 – by Professor Dale Sanders FRS. The mission of the John Innes Centre has twin scientific aims – to generate knowledge of plants and microbes through innovative research and to apply this knowledge to benefit agriculture, the environment, and human health and well-being. We are perhaps best known for our fundamental discoveries, but it is our mixed economy that I think makes the John Innes Centre such a special place. When I took up the role of Director 11 years ago, this mixed economy was a key part…

Southern California’s commercial real estate landscape is as dynamic and competitive as any in the nation, shaped by soaring skylines, mixed-use innovations and transformative infrastructure developments. At the heart of this movement are the executives whose vision and leadership drive deals, shape communities and define markets.In this section, we profile several of the region’s most influential commercial real estate leaders, exploring their biographies, business philosophies and the standout achievements that have earned them distinction across Los Angeles and Orange Counties and beyond.From bold urban developers to institutional investment veterans, these executives are shaping the built environment – one landmark project,…

London, United Kingdom — Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the way people interact with technology, while blockchain continues to reshape how digital assets and financial applications are built. At the intersection of these two industries, a new approach to automated trading is gaining attention through FET Earn, an AI-focused decentralized trading system associated with London-based technology professional John Finser.The idea behind FET Earn comes from a simple but increasingly important question: can artificial intelligence do more than analyze information and instead become an active part of a decentralized trading system?John Finser’s work in the AI and blockchain space has contributed…

Why inflation will shape the coming electoral cyclesBy Phyllis PapadavidThe coming electoral cycles will be dominated by uncomfortable macroeconomic arithmetic. The cost-of-living crisis and the ongoing global inflation shock continue to be exacerbated by regional conflicts – including escalating tensions around Iran that threaten to turn into a war of attrition, driving oil prices to multi-week highs. In the US, 71% of surveyed voters indicated dissatisfaction with the handling of the cost-of-living crisis. President Trump has offered US$5,000 to every American adult if the Republican Party wins the November midterm elections. Geopolitics has left voters attuned to the acute loss…