More from Brent Jabbour
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China’s population problem: Aging people, fewer babies, ‘lying flat’ youth
At one point, China was so worried about its rapidly growing population that the Chinese Communist Party implemented notorious family-planning policies. But now its population has peaked, its workforce is aging and the party can’t convince its people to have more kids. In 2023, India will take the long-held title of the world’s largest population… -
Russia sanctions ‘weaponized’ US dollar and now countries want to move away
The latest swell of dedollarization really gained steam after the U.S. levied harsh financial sanctions against Russia for invading Ukraine. Russia, its allies and economic partners have gone as far as discussing creating a brand new currency to combat dollar dominance. As the current world reserve currency, the U.S. dollar is at the center of… -
The dollar is king but for how much longer? How reserve currencies fell.
The U.S. dollar has been the world’s dominant reserve currency for as long as most people alive can remember. Dedollarization talk in the past has never amounted to much, but with renewed calls to dedollarize, is king dollar about to lose its reign? I should say never is a very long time. I shouldn’t say… -
Could BRICS nations dethrone US dollar dominance with a new currency?
The U.S. dollar’s global dominance has been a sure thing for about a century. Now emerging economies are looking to dethrone it. Foreign ministers from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, nations known collectively as BRICS, have recently discussed using alternative currencies to challenge U.S. global influence. Representatives from the bloc gathered in Cape… -
Countries are souring on the US dollar. Is dedollarization really a risk?
Is the U.S. dollar really at risk of losing its reserve currency status? Dedollarization talks are heating up as more countries look to cut the U.S. dollar out of trade transactions. What would a move away from the U.S. dollar mean for the U.S. economy and what currency could replace it? Geopolitical strategist Peter Zeihan… -
Banks bear down on China’s growth but this bull is bucking the doom and gloom
After repeatedly churning out disappointing economic data, banks are slashing China’s growth outlook for 2023. Many economists now say the modest 5% growth target China set in March is now at risk, with JPMorgan Chase cutting its estimate to 4.8% and Barclays going down to 4.5%. The world’s second-largest economy cut two key policy rates… -
S&P drops ratings after Musk complains. Here are 5 recent blows to ESG.
ESG, the practice of rating companies based on environmental, social and corporate governance, has become a hot-button issue in recent years. With political pressure building, the movement is losing steam. Here are five of the latest blows to ESG in this week’s Five For Friday. 5: Don’t say ESG The term ESG alone is enough… -
How Mexican beer Modelo Especial shot to the top thanks to Bud Light boycott
When beer drinkers soured on Bud Light following a controversial promotion with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, it was clear Bud Light’s closest rivals — Coors Light and Miller Lite — would benefit. But before long, it was a Mexican lager on everyone’s lips. In the weeks following Bud Light’s dramatic decline, Constellation Brands’ Modelo Especial… -
Do presidential primary debates matter? Polls show they don’t change who leads
Eight candidates have qualified for the first Republican presidential primary debate Aug. 23 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Former Vice President Mike Pence became the latest to meet the requirements on Monday, Aug. 7. Other qualifiers include Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley and former President Donald Trump. To qualify,… -
They said boycotts rarely work. This is why Bud Light is different.
When conservatives first shunned America’s best-selling beer Bud Light following the brand’s promotional beer can made for transgender TikTok influencer Dylan Mulvaney, experts quickly pointed out across the media that boycotts rarely work. But week after week, Bud Light’s beer sales plunged compared with the year before. Less than two weeks into the controversy, Anheuser-Busch… -
Taco Bell sued for beefy false advertising, 5 companies settled suits
Taco Bell is facing a class action lawsuit claiming the fast food giant deceived customers about how much filling was in five menu items, including the Crunchwrap Supreme and Mexican Pizza. Attorneys bringing the lawsuit hope to get at least $5 million from the company for customers that bought the items at locations in New… -
‘Barbenheimer’ is a billion-dollar blast for box office but strikes loom large
It’s Barbie’s world now. The reigning queen of the box office has pulled in around $800 million globally through two weeks, while domestic totals topped more than a third of a billion dollars. But the box office magic doesn’t stop there. Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” had the best second weekend ever for an R-rated summer movie… -
Beware consensus over Fed nailing soft landing, former Fed adviser says
Driving down inflation without major job losses is a balancing act the Federal Reserve rarely nails. But hope for a “soft landing” is growing after this past week, as is the hype. History tells us it could be too good to be true. “We were having these same types of discussions in 2000 and again…