Pessimism prevails in Europe. The continent has been hit by high energy costs and slow or even negative economic growth. The population is not business-minded and politicians and the public are risk-averse. Regulation and bureaucracy are crippling entrepreneurship, certainly when compared to areas of bustling economic activity in the US, parts of the Middle-East and Asia. And y ...

Although nuclear reactors tend to receive a lot of public resistance, they still have an important role in the current society. As of July 2023, 407 reactors were operated in 32 countries, producing 2.546 terawatt hours of electricity, which is about 10 percent of the global power consumption. In the past two decades, 99 startups were established from which 49 in China, which h ...

Food retail and the case for AholdDelhaize "People always need to eat," said Bill McCanless, a former CEO of the food retailer Delhaize America (now part of AholdDelhaize), in an interview around the turn of the century. His statement, though seemingly obvious, underscores a perpetual market for supermarket operators. The frequency of restaurant visits and other forms of eatin ...

Continuing our journey through the renewable energy landscape of 2023, this week we delve into the strides made in wind power, following our recent exploration of solar power advancements. With the latest preliminary data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), we gain further insights into the achievements of wind energy sector, highlighting key trends and accomplishments ...

Rainforests, the lush green giants of our planet, not only harbor unparalleled biodiversity but also serve as vital natural carbon sinks. This article delves into the process by which rainforests act as colossal carbon absorbers, the critical role of three major rainforest regions, and the alarming consequences of deforestation on global carbon emissions.   How do rainforests ...

Long-term trends in tech investments In the world of technology investments, it is essential to underline the long-term structural growth. Tech companies are often in a constant state of innovation and development, which means that their true potential sometimes only becomes clear over longer periods. This is similar to navigating a long sea voyage: temporary storms can slow p ...

Taiwan's stock market performed strong in 2023 Despite geopolitical tensions throughout 2023 and tense elections at the start of 2024, the Taiwanese stock market -as measured by the MSCI Taiwan Index- had a splendid year in 2023. Taiwan equities delivered a 31% return, primarily driven by the technology sector (73% of the Index). It was the best performing Asian market last ye ...

Countries worldwide are actively reducing their emissions to combat climate change. This involves changes in policies and laws regarding sustainability across various sectors, requiring additional efforts and, inevitably, extra funding to meet new standards. This situation raises a natural question: Should developing countries be held to the same environmental standards? It's n ...

In financial markets, the Initial Public Offering (IPO) market stands as a barometer of economic vitality and investor sentiment. An IPO marks the transition of a privately held company into a publicly traded entity, opening its doors to a broader investor base and entering a new chapter of growth and visibility. As companies embark on the IPO journey, the market's response be ...

This week, Belgium witnessed a picturesque winter scene with its first snowfall. As temperatures are likely to rise in the following weeks, it marks a beautiful end of a two-week cold snap. This cold snap had its roots in the fascinating and complex dynamics of the polar vortex. To grasp this concept, let's delve into some essential meteorological concepts. During the northern ...