Global Economic Prospects-Global Economy Faces Trade-Related Headwinds
you are currently viewing::Global Economic Prospects-Global Economy Faces Trade-Related HeadwindsJune 14, 2025--The global economy is facing substantial headwinds, emanating largely from an increase in trade tensions and heightened global policy uncertainty. Global cooperation is needed to restore a more stable global trade environment and scale up support for vulnerable countries, including those in fragile and conflict situations. Domestic policy action is also critical to contain inflation risks and strengthen fiscal resilience. To unlock job creation and long-term growth, reforms should focus on raising institutional quality, attracting private investment, and strengthening human capital and labor markets. International discord-about trade, in particular-has upended many of the policy certainties that-helped shrink extreme poverty and expand prosperity after the end of World War II. This year alone, our forecasts indicate the upheaval will slice nearly half a percentage point off the global GDP growth rate that had been expected at the start of the year, cutting it to 2.3 percent. That's the weakest performance in 17 years, outside of outright global recessions. By 2027, global GDP growth is expected to average just 2.5 percent in the 2020s-the slowest pace of any decade since the 1960s. Source: worldbank.org |
February 27, 2026--New data published by the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE), the global industry group for exchanges and CCPs, shows markets rebounded in the second half of 2025. IPO activity remained robust over the year, pointing to sustained demand for public listings against a challenging global backdrop.
Global equity market capitalisation increased 18.5% compared to the end of 2024, amounting to USD 151.94 trillion, with double-digit growth in every region.
February 26, 2026--Global debt climbed to $348 trillion by the end of 2025, the highest on record, per the Institute of International Finance.
Government borrowing accounted for over $10 trillion of the increase, led by the United States, China, and the euro area.
Emerging markets saw debt ratios rise above 235% of GDP, while advanced economies saw a slight decline in debt-to-GDP ratios.
February 26, 2026--ETFGI reported today that assets invested in the actively managed ETFs industry globally reached a new record of US$2.04 trillion at the end of January. During January the actively managed ETFs industry globally gathered record monthly net inflows of US$76.43 billion, according to ETFGI's January 2026 Active ETF industry landscape insights report, an annual paid-for research subscription service.
February 26, 2026--Assets invested in the ETFs industry globally reached a new record of US$20.64 trillion at the end of January. During January, the ETFs industry globally gathered net inflows of US$150.41 billion, according to ETFGI's January 2026 Global ETFs and ETPs industry landscape insights report, the monthly report which is part of ETFGI's an annual paid-for research subscription service.
February 18, 2026--Diversification has become harder since 2020 as stocks and bonds tend to move in tandem during sharp selloffs, adding to financial stability concerns
Spreading investments across asset classes can reduce risk and smooth returns. The classic diversification between stocks and bonds worked historically because they moved in opposite directions.
February 11, 2026--China, Poland, and Türkiye were the largest gold buyers among central banks between 2020 and 2025.
Gold prices surged more than 230% over the period, fueling one of the strongest official-sector buying waves in decades.
A smaller group of countries reduced holdings, highlighting divergent reserve strategies.
January 25, 2026--The European Union accounted for 18.8% of all U.S. trade in the first 10 months of 2025, valued at $883.3 billion .
China ranks as America's fourth-largest trading partner, with U.S. imports declining 26.7%, given rising tensions.
U.S. bilateral trade reached $4.7 trillion between January and October 2025, in a volatile year for trade policy.
January 22, 2026--ETFGI reports Actively Managed ETFs Hit Record US$1.92Tr as 2025 Marks Highest‑Ever Inflows and 69th Consecutive Month of Growth.
January 22, 2026--ETFGI reports Actively Managed ETFs Hit Record US$1.92Tr as 2025 Marks Highest-Ever Inflows and 69th Consecutive Month of Growth. During December the actively managed ETFs industry globally gathered net inflows of US$56.23 billion, bringing 2025 net inflows to a record US$637.47 billion, according to ETFGI's December 2025 Active ETF industry landscape insights report, an annual paid-for research subscription service.
January 19, 2026-But risks are rising, including from the concentration of tech investment and the negative effects of trade disruptions, which may build over time
Global economic growth continues to show notable resilience despite significant US-led trade disruptions and heightened uncertainty.