When you see Blackrock owning part of a company, rather than looking for some intricate conspiracy, know that when retail buys iShares index funds, the proceeds go to buying underlying company shares. Blackrock doesn't own everything out there, its acting on behalf of customers.
The reality of Europe’s fears about Trump depends more on us than him, writes @jensstoltenberg in the @FT.
“We should thus not despair but act. Trump’s return challenges us to step up and prove that we are true partners rather than free riders.”
https://t.co/PLf4VtINN4
🇪🇺 Largest contraction in bank loans to euro area corporates in over two years. Adding to the evidence that monetary policy transmission is working, and that the ECB should not tighten further.
BREAKING:
Lithuania, with its 2.8 mln inhabitants, just defeated the U.S. (332 mln) in the World Cup of basketball.
Meanwhile, European players dominate the NBA.
Is Europe taking over the world of basketball?
🇱🇹
A demographic crisis is unfolding in Russia. Over the past three years, the country has lost about 2 million people more than usual: as a result of war, disease and mass exodus - The Economist.
The life expectancy of Russian men at the age of 15 has fallen by almost five years, to the same level as in Haiti.
The number of Russians born in April 2022 was no more than during the months of Nazi occupation.
In addition, many men of military age have died or left the country, so there are now at least 10 million more women than men.
The war is not the only or main cause of these troubles, but it deepened them. According to Western estimates, 175,000-200,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded over the past year (Russia's own figures are below).
Somewhere between 500,000 and 1 million mostly young, educated people fled abroad to avoid the meat grinder.
In fact, the losses in the war are further burdening the already declining sick population.
Perhaps Russia is entering a fatal cycle of demographic decline.
https://t.co/1GgiXbl5fI