79% of global executives describe international tax environment as “uncertain” 82% experienced tax authority challenges to their transfer pricing over the past three years Greatest impact of global tax reform to be felt in fundamental transfer pricing rules Accelerated upheaval across the international tax landscape spurred by tax reforms across the world as well as initiatives such as the OECD’s digitalization effort have led to unprecedented uncertainty among global tax executives. This is according to the EY Transfer Pricing and International Tax Survey 2019, which surveyed more than 700 senior tax and transfer pricing executives representing the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific.

China and India lead emerging markets with 87% adoption Netherlands, UK and Ireland lead developed economies, buoyed by open banking in Europe Global SME FinTech adoption at 25%, China leads with 61% followed by the US (23%) FinTech adoption rates rose to an average of 64% this year according to EY Global FinTech Adoption Index 2019. Emerging markets are leading the way with both China and India at 87%. Close behind are Russia and South Africa, both with 82% adoption. Among developed markets, the Netherlands (73%), the UK (71%) and Ireland (71%) lead in adoption, reflecting in part the development of open banking in Europe.

E-commerce growth as a whole across the European region remains strong. It is slowing slightly in more mature markets such as the United Kingdom, France and Germany. However, a number of smaller markets present compelling opportunities. Of the 18 European countries we examined, 10 are projected to enjoy double-digit e-commerce market expansion between now and 2021, with the Czech Republic (16 percent), Italy (14 percent) and Spain (13.5 percent) ranking highest for predicted growth, J.P.Morgan write in their 2019 Global Payments Trends Report - European Overview publication.

Global IPO activity continues to slow despite unicorns coming to market Technology, health care and industrials were the most active sectors in H1 2019 Mega IPOs and robust IPO pipelines across all regions will bolster future activity Praha, 9 July 2019 – The trend of unicorn IPOs coming to market and pushing their proceeds to historic levels continued in Q2 2019 despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and trade tensions, resulting in 507 IPOs in H1 2019, raising total proceeds of US$71.9b. While deal numbers were down 28% from H1 2018, first-day returns on the main markets were up 15.4% on average and post-IPO performance increased 28.4%. Technology, health care and industrials saw the largest share of IPOs in H1 2019, together accounting for 266 IPOs (52% of global IPOs by deal numbers) and raising US$47.8b altogether (66% of global proceeds). By proceeds, technology was the strongest sector with US$29.3b raised (41% of global proceeds). These and other findings were published today in the EY quarterly report, Global IPO trends: Q2 2019.