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Imagine OpenAI bonds, Labubu everywhere

Could 2026 see these four market developments?

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    • Increasing the supply of Labubus would show whether the toy by Pop Mart is a passing fad, says the writer.
    • Increasing the supply of Labubus would show whether the toy by Pop Mart is a passing fad, says the writer. PHOTO: REUTERS

    Shuli Ren

    Published Mon, Jan 5, 2026 · 05:30 PM

    FROM an artificial intelligence (AI)-fuelled stock rally to China shaking off US tariff threats and earning a record trade surplus, 2025 was full of economic marvels.

    Don’t expect debates over innovation and economic disruptions to disappear in 2026. There are four surprising-but-not-improbable developments on my watch list that you might want to consider.

    OpenAI bonds

    If WeWork was able to issue corporate bonds before going public, why can’t OpenAI, a unicorn behemoth valued at US$500 billion?

    OpenAIPop MartNew World DevelopmentPrivate credit

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    Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney speaking at a press conference in Ottawa, on Aug 22, after trade talks with the US collapsed.

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