Two-thirds of teenagers are still on social media platforms included in the ban, according to the eSafety commissioner Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast When the age assurance technology trial released its final report before Australia’s under-16s social media ban came into effect last year, its first finding was: ag...
Two-thirds of teenagers are still on social media platforms included in the ban, according to the eSafety commissioner Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast When the age assurance technology trial released its final report before Australia’s under-16s social media ban came into effect last year, its first finding was: age assurance can be done privately, efficiently and effectively. Four months since the ban came into effect, we can say that was – to paraphrase Yes Minister – a courageous statement. Continue reading...
Oil futures extended losses after President Donald Trump again signaled the potential end to the Iran war that’s roiled markets, even as the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed and more US troops arrived in the region. Brent oil futures fell below $100 a barrel for the first time in a week, while West Texas Intermediate was trading near $98 a barrel. Stock markets also jumped. Trump told repor...
Oil futures extended losses after President Donald Trump again signaled the potential end to the Iran war that’s roiled markets, even as the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed and more US troops arrived in the region. Brent oil futures fell below $100 a barrel for the first time in a week, while West Texas Intermediate was trading near $98 a barrel. Stock markets also jumped. Trump told reporters that the US could leave Iran within two to three weeks , and indicated an agreement with Tehran may be reached but wasn’t necessary for the war to end. The president will give an address to the nation at 9 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday to provide an update on Iran, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
Love Employee/iStock via Getty Images In 2025, emerging markets (EM) corporate credit delivered another solid year, with index returns of 8.7%. The asset class outperformed developed markets (DM) corporate credit across all ratings except CCCs, although it underperformed an exceptional year in EM sovereign debt. We highlight five themes we believe must be evaluated to better navigate the EM corpor...
Love Employee/iStock via Getty Images In 2025, emerging markets (EM) corporate credit delivered another solid year, with index returns of 8.7%. The asset class outperformed developed markets (DM) corporate credit across all ratings except CCCs, although it underperformed an exceptional year in EM sovereign debt. We highlight five themes we believe must be evaluated to better navigate the EM corporate debt universe in the coming year. Theme 1: The Commodities Opportunity Set in EM Corporate Debt The significant rally in metals, particularly precious, continues to grab headlines, while crude oil markets remain volatile as they price the uncertain impacts of geopolitical events. When we invest in commodity issuers, it is important to understand what our universe offers and how commodity prices actually affect a company’s credit quality and its bond valuations. The metals and mining sector accounts for 6% of the J.P. Morgan Corporate Emerging Market Bond Index (CEMBI) Broad Diversified (BD)[1]. This sector includes large-cap, integrated, multi-metal, and multi-mine issuers as well as smaller companies that are less diversified by product and asset base. One can get exposure to mature, world-class mining operations but also to growing businesses with smaller footprints. Parsing the sector by metal is nuanced as mines often market and bundle byproducts within their core operations. Metals and Mining Sector Breakdown in CEMBI BC Sources: J.P. Morgan CEMBI BD and William Blair, as of December 31, 2025. A breakdown of the oil and gas sector reveals a universe not purely driven by volatility in oil prices. Almost two-thirds of the 11% sector weight in the index can be classified as integrated oil companies. These are large issuers that operate across the hydrocarbon value chain, not only exploring and producing oil and natural gas but also transporting it, refining it, producing petrochemicals, and distributing fuels. Every step in this value chain balances the direct oil-pri...