Data Perspective

Analytics & Research

The objective of this research project is to provide fundamental information and analysis on topics in different areas of interest and geographic location. The focus will be on data that help explain the influencing factors of an issue connected with information and research that outline the background story of the topic. The aim is to present facts and knowledge that help grasp the full extend of news that are often only outlined in a couple of lines.

The rise of Power-to-X and its limitations due to renewable energy capacity

In the aftermath of the Paris Climate Agreement, many governments have announced to significantly cut their greenhouse gas emissions. Today, in a world where renewable energies play a more important role than ever, politicians and business leaders are looking into various carbon-free energy sources and carriers to guarantee a smooth energy transition. Power-to-X has emerged as a promising technology, producing green hydrogen and e-fuels that could replace other fossil fuels. This article will analyze a recently published atlas by the Fraunhofer Institute for Energy, Economics and Energy System Technology that shows the potential production capacities of power-to-X and evaluate challenges posed by the availability of renewable energy capacity.

The valuation of the "Big Four" professional sports leagues

Professional sports in North America is a puck battle on the ice or a big catch on the field. But on the business side it is a large money-making machine for the team owners. Over the last decades, teams in the "Big Four" sports leagues have seen a significant increase in their value and revenue generated throughout the season. Even though trends are similar, value developments vary between the leagues that rest on the teams' sources of revenue. This article analyses the drivers behind this trend with data from the yearly Forbes rankings and additional information that evaluate the importance of different revenue sources.

Free trade in Africa: Chances and challenges of the AfCFTA

Fall 2024

The African Continental Free Trade Agreement presents a significant step forward for intra-African economic integration. Thus far, trade among African economies was fragmented and dominated by regional trade agreements that established different levels of integration. The rules and policies of the AfCFTA constitute a framework that accounts for those issues and requires less encompassing reforms by its member states. This article will highlight the challenges and opportunities along the implementation process of the free trade agreement.

Is Latin America shifting to the left? A look at current politics

Winter 2024

In September 2022, Chilean voters rejected a new constitution that would have been amongst the most progressive set of laws in the world. This was a setback for president Boric, a former student leader and important figure of the civil unrests in 2019. However, this result cannot hide that the political left seems to be on the rise in Latin America. In late October, voters in Brazil brought former president Lula da Silva from the Workers' Party back to power. This article will take a closer look at the rise of left-wing politics in Latin America and assess similarities and differences of the platforms.

Taking a closer look at the U.S.' core index for inflation

Spring 2025

No other topic has dominated the economic debate in 2022 as much as inflation. Starting with pandemic supply crunch in 2021 and the following energy crisis caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, more and more areas of our public life were affected by rising prices. The volatility of energy prices that have an affect on other basic products such as food, has turned the focus to a core index of inflation that is supposed to be less volatile. This article will examine the product groups of that index and analyze what is driving current trends.