L04 ( Finance Iceberg )
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The Rise of the Living Dead: Understanding Zombie Companies
Key Takeaway: When too many unprofitable firms stay afloat, they sap capital, suppress innovation, and undermine economic resilience. In the decades since Japan’s “Lost Decade,” economists have warned of zombie companies—firms that earn just enough to pay interest but never generate enough profit to reduce debt or invest in growth. These corporate “living dead” persist thanks to… Continue reading
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Chapwood Index: The Unvarnished Measure of Inflation
When Edwin “Ed” Butowsky launched the Chapwood Index in 2014, he set out to shatter a comforting illusion: that official inflation metrics genuinely reflect the pain at the pump, the bite of the grocery bill, or the sticker shock at your favourite café. Instead, the Chapwood Index lays bare the unglamorous truth—a city-by-city tally of what Americans actually pay, unadjusted,… Continue reading
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Marcus Licinius Crassus: Rome’s First Tycoon and the Price of Ambition
Imagine a man so wealthy that he could finance legions from his own coffers—only to lose everything in a single desert battle. This was Marcus Licinius Crassus (115–53 BC), the undisputed richest man in Rome, whose life wove together ruthless finance, ruthless politics, and a tragic military gamble that reshaped the ancient world.wikipedia From Humble… Continue reading
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Debt’s Dark Deal: The Confessions of an Economic Hit Man
When Panamanian leader Omar Torrijos toured the gleaming new power plants and highways that crisscrossed his nation in the 1970s, he believed they were the seeds of prosperity. Instead, he had stepped into the web of an “economic hit man,” operatives who spin grand visions of development, only to ensnare nations in a cycle of… Continue reading
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Demystifying the “World Economic Forum (Davos)”
Main Takeaway:The World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos represents the world’s most exclusive gathering of power and influence—where approximately 3,000 global leaders converge to shape economic, political and social agendas. For India, Davos 2025 marked a watershed moment, showcasing the nation as a key architect of sustainable global growth while positioning itself as the voice of the Global South. 1.… Continue reading
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Unraveling “The City of London”
The City of London—a 1.1 square mile financial district generating £109 billion annually—stands as the world’s oldest continuous municipal government and one of its most influential financial centers. Its unique governance structure, ancient privileges, and modern financial prowess offer crucial insights for India’s own ambitions to build GIFT City and Mumbai as global financial hubs.… Continue reading