Businesses around the world cut back on their overseas investments for the second straight year in 2017, a surprise development that suggests the globalization of economic activity may be slowing. Figures released by the United Nations Monday recorded a 16% drop in foreign direct investment to $1.52 trillion, largely reflecting a sharp fall in the acquisitions of U.S. and U.K. firms by foreign businesses. In a report published last year, the U.N. had expected to see a rise of 10%.

Source: Wall Street Journal January 22, 2018 16:52 UTC