Articles
The New Gold Standard: Are Central Banks Anticipating a New Financial Order or Adopting Diversification Strategies?
With increasing economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, central banks around the world, especially BRICS nations, are increasingly adding gold to their reserves. QBR Editor Janani Anandan explores how this movement extends beyond mere diversification, signalling a growing dissatisfaction with U.S. dollar dominance and embracement of de-dollarization practices. However, a complete return to a gold standard faces various obstacles including production constraints, market volatility and global scale complexities. Anandan investigates the motivations and implications of such a shift towards gold, offering insights to retail investors and policymakers alike.
The True Price of Beauty: An Economic Analysis of the Big Beautiful Bill
Donald Trump’s second presidential term has been marked by slogans and spectacles. His self-proclaimed “Big, Beautiful Bill” (BBB) stands out not just for its name but its sweeping economic implications. The president is adamant about ”making America great again,” stating it would “make this country into a rocket ship. It's going to be really great.” But with beauty comes hefty price tags, which brings into question – how beautiful really is the big beautiful bill?
How Love Drives Literature: Romance for Mass Consumption
From rippling muscles to abstract illustrations, romance covers continue to dominate commercial and domestic bookshelves alike. In this article, QBR Editor Annabella Luo explores how the genre has won over generation after generation of new readers. Following the rise of influencers and short-form media, how can literature hold the attention of the public, and at what cost?
The Playbook Behind Trump’s Tariff Chaos
This article will explore the evolution of U.S. tariff policy and the current trade policy of President Trump during his second term. By tracing the development of tariffs from the founding of the United States through to Trump’s potential second-term plans, this piece aims to examine how tariffs have re-emerged as a tool for President Trump to address the economic and geopolitical challenges facing the U.S.
Dancing with a Black Swan: The Corporate Debt Illusion
In this editorial, Financial Markets Editor Udi Malhotra explores the fragile foundations of the global corporate debt market. Once fueled by cheap credit and easy refinancing, companies now face surging borrowing costs, looming maturities, and rising default risks. Malhotra highlights how shadow banking, private credit, and leveraged loans have created an echo of past crises, raising the question of whether corporate borrowing could spark the next Black Swan event. This piece urges readers to look beyond equities and government debt to recognize the systemic risks lurking in the shadows of corporate finance.
Neobanks, AI, and the End of Banking as We Know It
As the future of traditional financial services hangs in the balance, QBR Senior Editor Chanelle Cai explores how digital disruption, AI, and open banking regulations are transforming the industry. Her article examines the strategic crossroads facing both traditional banks and neobanks, arguing that banks must modernize legacy systems, embrace AI, and refocus on wallet share, while neobanks must diversify products, build customer trust, and scale strategically. Drawing on recent regulatory changes and shifting consumer behavior, Cai highlights the urgency for innovation to determine who will lead in a digital-first financial era.
He May Bring You Happiness… If You Can Find One: How Collectibles
Borrowing the psychological hooks straight out of a casino, blind box toys aren't your average plastic figurines. From Pop Mart's rebranding of The Monsters character, Labubu, which generates thousands on resale markets, to Sonny Angels appearing in workplaces, QBR Senior Editor Ninglee Weng explores how these toys thrive on scarcity and the addictive nature of not knowing what you will get. As the newest addition to the hype economy, can blind boxes remain a cultural obsession or become irrelevant as fast as they rose to fame?
The Business of Being Impressive: How LinkedIn Culture Shapes Student Identity and the Mental Cost of Success
Behind the “thrilled to announce” posts lies a quieter reality: imposter syndrome, social comparison, and the pressure to keep up. In this recent editorial, Health & Innovation Editor Isabella Peng critiques LinkedIn's growing influence in academic spaces and its role in shaping students' identities. With the ever-growing pressure on students to build a personal brand on LinkedIn, this article examines how the platform has turned career development into a source of anxiety affecting student well-being. Peng draws on insights from seasoned career coaches to explore ways to propel the academic space toward a more authentic career culture.
House of Cards: Canada’s Overreliance on Real Estate
Housing has long been seen as the cornerstone of financial success in Canada, but has that belief gone too far? QBR Editor Jack Ayala examines how government policy, corporate strategy, and cultural values have turned real estate into Canada’s primary engine of wealth. From rising inequality and missed opportunities for innovation, this article explores how an overreliance on housing has reshaped the economy and put everyday Canadians at risk.
Thinking Outside the Box: How the New York Times Crossword Changed the Game
In this article, Editor Amy Simcoe explains how the New York Times used daily puzzles as an innovative marketing strategy to broaden their engagement and drive new usership. Given that news sources are vying for their share in the attention economy, particularly against social media, this rollout gave the publication a leg-up against competitors. While this strategy allowed the NYT to bridge the gap between fun interactivity with their professional brand image, Simcoe explores how the Games app could set a precedent in blurring the lines between entertainment and news