Each week Frontier Strategy Group’s global team shares their view on key media stories, and what the implications are for businesses that operate in emerging markets. For more information about how to contact our analysts, send us an email.

Mark McNamee on “When Will Consumer Demand recover in Russia”

“Based on my most recent research trip to Moscow, FMCG companies continue to wait for recovering consumer demand and are hopeful improvements will be seen by the end of the year. We are still several months away from stronger consumer spending but some signs of life have reappeared.”

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Josef Jelinek on “China’s Downgrade Could Lead to a Mountain of Debt”

“China’s use of fiscal stimulus to maintain growth rates above the economy’s potential will continue to worsen its debt-to-GDP ratio. The issue China faces, both with setting economic growth rates and its deleveraging campaign, is keep growth too high and policy too loose and you worsen the leverage issue, but set rates too low and tighten too quickly and you hazard spurring systemic risks.”

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Dalia Naguib on “Rouhani’s Second Term: Will the Ambiguities for Doing Business in Iran Persist?”

“For MNCs, Rouhani’s re-election does not necessarily reflect a step forward in alleviating the concerns of MNCs considering engaging in commercial activity with Iran. The risks associated with financial transactions and US non-nuclear sanctions are likely to persist.”

Link to article | Read More of Dalia’s Commentary | Have a Question for Dalia?

Joel Whitaker on “FSG on the Ground Insights: Buenos Aires”

“Our team was in Argentina to learn when business leaders and officials expect the economic rebound to kick in. Here is my 3-minute video summary of what we heard.”

Link to Youtube |Read More of Joel’s Commentary | Have a Question for Joel?

Antonio Martinez on “Dumped by Trump, Remaining TPP Nations Vow to Forge Ahead”

“A revival of the Trans-Pacific Partnership would help cement many of the gains multinationals expected to receive from the multilateral trade agreement, and may open the door over the next decade for a US entry into the agreement if political conditions change sufficiently.”

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Alec Lee on “Brazil Mobilizes Troops for Anti-Terror Protests”

“Brazil’s last president, Dilma Rousseff, also called on the military to protect government buildings during protests in 2013. The move should be read as a sign of growing pressure against the government, but by no means as a move toward anything more sinister. “

Link to article |Read More of Alec’s Commentary | Have a Question for Alec?