Member Views

The Precarious Global Debt Picture

A critical issue policymakers need to address urgently is the amount of debt plaguing the UK, the US and the global economy, and the impact the growing status of China as creditor to both the west and the developing world will have on that. 

Many Companies Pay Nothing in Taxes - The Public Has a Right to Know How they Pull it Off

Corporations are increasingly recognizing the importance of being responsive not just to their shareholders but also to the interests of stakeholders, such as customers, employees and their communities.

Chief Economist's Note: COVID-19 Could Herald a New Era of European Divergence

A resurgence in COVID-19 infections has led to additional measures being announced across Europe in the past two weeks to contain the pandemic.

Mind the Gap

Latin America’s Covid-19 crisis demands a more ambitious response from governments and the international community.

Covid-19 ESG Part 2: Taking a Stab at Excess Mortality

Pollution, governance and geolocation data for a blunt stab at COVID-19 vulnerability

Wirecard is a Wake-up Call on Regulatory Weakness

There is no room for apathy where regulators are involved; we need an investigation into Wirecard, however embarrassing and painful it may be.

The Role Model: Kathy Matsui, Goldman Sachs

Japan’s banking system is a tough place to work for ambitious women. But Kathy Matsui shows it is possible to rise to the top.

Send Bond Covenants into Battle Against Climate Change

Four powerful men leading the largest technology companies in the world sat before Congress last month for a six-hour grilling on how they chased and protected their dominance.

Mounting Prospects for an Unprecedented Emerging Market Debt Crisis

As the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the global economy, it seems that this unfolding health and social crisis will be with us until we have both an effective treatment and a vaccine.

Beware the Government Debt-to-GDP Ratio

Government debt levels around the world are rising fast as governments run up large budget deficits because of the pandemic-induced recession. In judging the level of government debt, and how much of a potential problem it might be storing up for the future, a universally cited metric is the nominal government debt-to-GDP ratio, the amount of government debt expressed as a percentage of gross domestic product. 

Quoting government debt levels as a percentage of GDP is misleading.