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Buffett’s Annual Letter 2024: Berkshire Hathaway’s Record Cash Pile, Japan Bets, and Tax Message

Warren Buffett’s latest annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders confirms that the Omaha-based conglomerate is sitting on a record-breaking USD 321.4 billion in cash and Treasury bills. Some investors might be unsettled by this growing war chest, but Buffett’s reassurance

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Global Banks’ Retreat from China: What Went Wrong?

Not so long ago, China was hailed as the next big frontier for Wall Street. The nation’s financial markets, once considered relatively untapped, were said to be worth a staggering US$67 trillion, drawing interest from global banks eager to capture

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Otaviano Canuto on Aging and the Immigration Conundrum: A Demographic Dilemma

Across the globe, populations are aging as declining fertility rates and increased longevity reshape demographic landscapes. While longer life expectancy is a testament to medical and public health advancements, the persistent decline in birth rates presents an economic challenge of

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Long Road to Autonomy: Will Self-Driving Cars Rule the Road?

Isn’t owning a car all about freedom and individuality? A surprising number of people seem more drawn by convenience and safety factors.  Consider a future where commuting is stress-free, traffic accidents are virtually a thing of the past, and mobility

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David Ogilvy, the Original Mad Man: The Man Who Sold Selling

He revolutionised advertising with intelligent, witty campaigns and a deep respect for the consumer. David Ogilvy, often called the “Father of Advertising”, redefined the industry with a sharp eye for creativity, a respect for the audience, and a talent for

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Could Elon Musk Revolutionise Social Media by Acquiring TikTok?

The U.S. operations of TikTok face an uncertain future as the Supreme Court prepares to rule on a potential ban by 19 January. The decision could force ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, to divest its U.S. business. Amid this tumult,

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Why Coffee and Chocolate Prices Are Heating Up in 2025

If you’re a fan of mocha lattes or indulgent chocolate treats, 2025 might be a challenging year for your wallet. Coffee and cocoa, the commodities behind these beloved staples, have dominated the markets as two of the fastest-rising commodities for

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Paolo Sironi, IBM: Mind the Gap Between Small-Medium Businesses and Their Banks

Financial services are adapting to better serve SMEs, but a gap remains between what banks offer and what these businesses truly need. Financial services are particularly susceptible to fluctuations in macroeconomic conditions, as starkly illustrated by the 2008 financial crisis

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Boutiques Bet Big on 2025: Talent Wars and the Push for Revenue

The investment banking sector is gearing up for what could be a transformative year in 2025. Following a year of buoyant markets and unexpected resilience in dealmaking, Wall Street firms, particularly boutiques, are positioning themselves for a high-stakes rebound. With

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Franchises: The Strategic Sweet Spot for Private Equity

Why private equity firms are betting big on the scalability and resilience of franchise models. Amid the turbulence of recent global economic events—from interest rate volatility to shifting investor sentiment in equity markets—a quieter yet significant trend has emerged in

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