Key Highlights
•
A study of U.S. stock portfolios finds that a simple, decades-old volatility forecasting model (EWMA) performs as well as or better than more complex modern models for daily and weekly investment decisions. This means investors and fund managers can achieve strong, cost-effective results without overcomplicating their strategies.
Source →
•
When countries face new U.S. tariffs, the most beneficial response is to sign new trade agreements with other partners, rather than retaliating with their own tariffs or subsidizing domestic industries. This strategy leads to higher real income for the responding countries and the world by expanding trade while reducing economic distortions.
Source →
•
In Africa, poverty is directly linked to receiving lower-quality healthcare at government hospitals, affecting factors like drug availability, staff presence, and wait times. This finding highlights that improving healthcare delivery is as crucial as boosting incomes for the well-being of the continent’s poorest populations.
Source →
•
Splitting a local government district into smaller ones in Indonesia reduced economic growth in the short term, as the new, smaller governments spent more on administration without improving public services or reducing corruption. This shows that creating more local governments can hurt economic efficiency if the new units lack scale and capacity.
Source →
•
New historical data reveals that regional GDP per person within China varied significantly from 1080 to 1850, with important implications for the global “Great Divergence” debate about when the West pulled ahead economically. This long-term perspective helps economists better understand the roots of modern global inequality.
Source →
Stay curious. Stay informed — with
Science Briefing.
Always double check the original article for accuracy.
