... advantageous: for example, strategists who believe that a severe confrontation with Pakistan would finally sever India from Russia and compel it to cooperate more closely with the U.S. and NATO. Nonetheless, open war is not in the interest of any responsible global leaders, as it carries too many risks. Thus, it is more about geopolitical rivals potentially exploiting an existing crisis for their own interests rather than deliberately provoking it. For instance, if India weakens, China would benefit; if Pakistan experiences international isolation,...

... are currently valued at over $1 billion (their total valuation approaches $2.7 trillion), with about 100 of them founded since 2023. Additionally, over 1300 AI startups have valuations of no less than $100 million. Although experts caution about the risks of overheating, investor appetite for AI projects has not yet weakened. The IPO Market Revives: The “Window” for Exits is Open The global IPO market has noticeably revived after a long pause and continues to gain momentum. A new wave of IPOs was initiated in Hong Kong: several major technology companies have successfully gone public in recent weeks, collectively raising billions ...

... energy complex (FEC) as of August 14, 2025, demonstrate contradictory trends. Geopolitical tensions remain high: Washington is intensifying sanctions pressure and hinting at measures against China following recent steps against India. At the same time, global oil prices are relatively stable at mid-$60 per barrel, reflecting a fragile balance between risks and OPEC+ efforts. In Russia, exchange prices for fuel are hitting new records despite an export ban and existing subsidies, prompting the government to prepare emergency measures to stabilize the domestic market. Meanwhile, Europe is rapidly filling ...

... and stock price fluctuations can be severe. For a mid-term horizon, stocks should be regarded more as a complementary element of the portfolio. Foreign Stocks and ETFs. Investing in foreign markets (through brokers or funds) provides access to larger global economies. For example, the historical average yield of the S&P 500 (USA) is approximately 10% per annum (in dollars) over the long term. The advantage is broader sector diversification. The downside is currency risk: fluctuations in the exchange rate of the dollar/euro against the ruble can either enhance or diminish ruble returns. In recent years, the depreciation of the ruble (or dollar appreciation) has boosted yields in rubles from foreign stocks. Over a ...

... stringent measures against Russia. These might include immediate maximum tariffs on Russian goods and secondary sanctions against buyers of Russian energy resources. The prospect of such actions keeps market participants on edge, considering the potential risks to global oil and petroleum product supply chains. Thus, at the global level, two opposing trends are currently interwoven: the de-escalation of trade conflicts between major economies on one hand, and the escalation of geopolitical rhetoric on the other....