Visual Capitalist

2022-02-24 23:00:00 The Top 10 Biggest Companies in Russia

From 1922–1991, the Soviet Union (USSR) was not only the world’s largest country, but also one of its most populated, influential, and powerful.

Today, modern Russia still holds all of those distinctions. Though no longer a designated superpower, the Russian Federation has recovered from the fall of the Soviet Union and has become the world’s 11th-largest economy.

Even after being expelled from the G7 over its annexation of Crimea, Russia’s membership as one of the principal emerging economies in BRICS (alongside Brazil, India, China, and South Africa), the G20, and the United Nations Security Council solidifies its important position in the modern world.

What industries and companies drive the modern Russian state? Here we put the spotlight on the top 10 biggest companies in Russia, using data from Companies Market Cap.

Read details below, and share your thoughts on what other companies or industries do you associate with Russia? Open / Comment

2022-02-24 22:00:02 Banned from Twitter & Facebook, but not from Telegram (yet)

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2022-02-23 23:00:00 Visualizing China’s Dominance in Rare Earth Metals

From smartphones and electric vehicles to x-rays and guided-missiles, several modern technologies wouldn’t be what they are without rare earth metals. Also known as rare earth elements or simply “rare earths”, this group of 17 elements is critical to a number of wide-ranging industries.

Although deposits of rare earth metals exist all over the world, the majority of both mining and refining occurs in China. The above graphic from CSIS China Power Project tracks China’s exports of rare earth metals in 2019, providing a glimpse of the country’s dominating presence in the global supply chain.

Read details below, and share your thoughts on China's dominance in rare Earth metals Open / Comment

2022-02-22 23:00:00 Four Reasons to Watch UK Equities

Over the past several years, UK equities have traded at a relative discount compared to other developed markets. This was largely due to ongoing Brexit negotiations, where uncertainty around trade deals and other legislation created significant headwinds.

Fast forward to today, and much of the uncertainty has passed. Does this mean it’s time to invest in the UK?

Read details below, and share your thoughts Open / Comment

2022-02-21 23:00:00 The Top 10 Semiconductor Companies by Market Share

Semiconductors are an essential component of the microchips that power virtually every modern electronic device. As the objects around us get “smarter” and demand for electronics grows around the world, the demand for semiconductors will continue to skyrocket.

So, which companies currently make these chips, and where are they located?

The today's infographic breaks down the top 10 semiconductor companies by country and market share.

Read details below, and share your thoughts on the semiconductor's market situation Open / Comment

2022-02-20 23:00:00 All the World’s Carbon Emissions in One Chart

Two degrees Celsius may not seem like much, but on our planet, it could be the difference between thriving life and a disastrous climate.

Over two centuries of burning fossil fuels have added up, and global decision-makers and business leaders are focusing in on carbon emissions as a key issue.

Read details below, and share your thoughts on the world's future in overheating environment Open / Comment

2022-02-19 23:00:00 The World’s Most Powerful Reserve Currencies

When we think of network effects, we’re usually thinking of them in the context of technology and Metcalfe’s Law.

Metcalfe’s Law states that the more users that a network has, the more valuable it is to those users. It’s a powerful idea that is exploited by companies like LinkedIn, Airbnb, or Uber — all companies that provide a more beneficial service as their networks gain more nodes.

But network effects don’t apply just to technology and related fields.

In the financial sector, for example, stock exchanges grow in utility when they have more buyers, sellers, and volume. Likewise, in international finance, a currency can become increasingly entrenched when it’s accepted, used, and trusted all over the world.When we think of network effects, we’re usually thinking of them in the context of technology and Metcalfe’s Law.

Metcalfe’s Law states that the more users that a network has, the more valuable it is to those users. It’s a powerful idea that is exploited by companies like LinkedIn, Airbnb, or Uber — all companies that provide a more beneficial service as their networks gain more nodes.

But network effects don’t apply just to technology and related fields.

In the financial sector, for example, stock exchanges grow in utility when they have more buyers, sellers, and volume. Likewise, in international finance, a currency can become increasingly entrenched when it’s accepted, used, and trusted all over the world.

Read details below, and share in the comments your thoughts on the next possible No.1 reserve currency Open / Comment

2022-02-18 23:00:00 Buy the Dip, Buy the Rise, or Follow a Plan: Which Had the Best Return?

As performance trends come and go, investors may wonder whether they should adjust their portfolios accordingly. When prices drop, should they buy the dip in anticipation of prices going back up? Conversely, when prices rise, should they buy the rise in case the climb continues?

In this Markets in a Minute from New York Life Investments, we compare these scenarios with following a financial plan to see which one has delivered better returns.

Read details below, and share in the comments which investment strategy do you follow Open / Comment

2022-02-17 23:00:00 Map: Language Difficulty Ranking For English Speakers

Learning a new language as an adult is big undertaking – so if you want the best value for your time, choose wisely.

For most people, there are no time constraints on becoming fluent in another language, but for the Foreign Service Institute – the U.S. government’s main provider of foreign affairs training – quantifying the “learn time” of various languages is vital. American diplomats, for example, need to become proficient in the official language of their posting country, and it helps immensely to know how long that might take.

The FSI organizes languages into five broad categories based on how different each language and culture is to the United States.

Read details below, and share in the comments your thoughts on which languages you think are difficult to learn Open / Comment

2022-02-17 22:00:02 Gender reveal like this Yes or no? Open / Comment