November 10, 2017— Saudi Arabia is planning an IPO for 5% of ARAMCO, the state-owned oil company, for 2018 or 2019. With an estimated value ranging from $50-$100 billion, the IPO would be the largest-ever IPO. The proceeds are slated to fund a capital increase in Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund. New York
October 17, 2017—Japan holds general elections on October 22. Polls suggest Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will secure its current large majority of seats. Abe’s personal popularity has sagged due to family and cabinet scandals. Nevertheless, voters welcome an improving local economy and support his plans to strengthen the armed forces
October 16, 2017— On Thursday, the European Union (EU) and UK concluded their fifth round of Brexit negotiations. At this point—sixteen months since the Brexit referendum vote—six months since the invocation of Article 50 (to formally start the two-year clock for Brexit negotiations)—and several rounds deep into negotiations—one would think the two sides would have
