Breakingviews
French far right can make hay if Fillon shines
LONDON (Reuters Breakingviews) - In a year of global political upheaval, France has delivered its own mini upset. Francois Fillon, a former prime minister, unexpectedly topped the first round of the opposition centre-right’s presidential primaries on Nov. 20. If the unabashed economic reformer is anointed his party’s candidate for the 2017 election, far-right leader Marine Le Pen stands to benefit.
China can't dodge Asia trade leadership role
HONG KONG (Reuters Breakingviews) - Asian leaders, dismayed by American disarray on free trade, are warming up to "China-led" alternatives to the U.S.-led Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). But Beijing says it doesn't want a leadership role forging the new pacts necessary to reinvigorate regional trade. It is understandable why China would want to duck the reputational damage TPP's failure is inflicting on the United States, but the world's second largest economy is in a leadership position now wh
Trump's four phases will guide next four years
NEW YORK (Reuters Breakingviews) - The reality-TV star is upending the global order in real time. As CEOs, world leaders and investors try to interpret what's in store, a new Breakingviews e-book chronicles Trump the businessman, candidate, populist and president-elect. Who he surrounds himself with is paramount.
UK watchdog turns screw on besieged fund managers
LONDON (Reuters Breakingviews) - Britain is turning the screw on embattled asset managers. The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority has criticised weak competition and proposed remedies that could lower earnings and pay. Given the rapid growth of cheaper passive investments, it’s a knock the sector didn’t want but probably needs.
Bank of Japan gets serious on yield-curve control
The Bank of Japan has put its "yield-curve control" plan into practice. On Nov. 17 the central bank offered to buy shorter-dated bonds in unlimited amounts, the first time it has wielded the tools it introduced two months ago. This episode hasn't cost the BOJ anything, because the bank offered below-market prices that nobody took up. Even so, it shows how the revamped framework aims to shield Japan from rising global yields.
Viewsroom: Should Facebook root out fake news?
NEW YORK (Reuters Breakingviews) - The social network is under fire for allowing erroneous and downright misleading media reports on its platform that may have swayed the U.S. presidential election. Meanwhile, Canada and Mexico prepare for a Donald Trump presidency. And Warren Buffett eats his words on airlines. Listen to the podcast: http://bit.ly/2g10lTl
Harvard's business dean faces own ethical dilemma
HONG KONG (Reuters Breakingviews) - Harvard Business School's dean faces his own moral dilemma. Nitin Nohria essentially wrote the book on ethics and leadership. But he also sits on the board of Tata Sons, the Indian conglomerate at the centre of a corporate governance scandal. The link risks damaging the brand of one of the world's top business schools by suggesting its leaders don't practise the values they charge a fortune to teach.
Europe's anti-austerity swerve faces uphill climb
LONDON (Reuters Breakingviews) - Europe's anti-austerity swerve faces an uphill climb. The European Commission wants euro zone countries to boost spending by 0.5 percent of GDP next year. It's a belated attempt to head off Trump-style anti-establishment revolts on the continent. To make a difference, however, wealthy countries would have to help struggling ones.
Evercore's two chairmen are an enviable problem
NEW YORK (Reuters Breakingviews) - Evercore's two chairmen are an enviable problem. Wooing former Goldman Sachs partner John Weinberg is a coup for the $2.9 billion advisory firm. Making him executive chairman, though, muddies governance and creates top-heavy management.
Saudi's women are its untapped economic resource
LONDON (Reuters Breakingviews) - Saudi Arabia has untapped resources beyond oil. Its women are very slowly wresting freedoms in a society dominated by men, religion and petrol. The kingdom can do as much for its economy by helping more of them enter the workforce as it would if it were able to immediately and sustainably boost the price of a barrel of crude by a couple of dollars.
About Breakingviews
Reuters Breakingviews is the world's leading source of agenda-setting financial insight. The company was founded in 1999 as Breakingviews.com and was acquired by Thomson Reuters in 2009, becoming the Reuters brand for financial commentary. Every day, we comment on the big financial stories as they break. Our expert analysis is provided by a global team of correspondents based in New York, Washington, Chicago, London, Paris, Madrid, Hong Kong, Beijing and Singapore. For the full commentary and analysis service from breakingviews.com, including regular emails containing the latest views, contact sales@breakingviews.com. All opinions expressed are those of the authors.