Recent shocks have reshaped the global economy, and volatility is increasingly treated as a lasting feature of the operating environment. HSBC’s report, New Networks of Capital: The World Rewired (Apr 2026), explores how businesses and investors are responding—and how the international growth playbook is changing.

Three shifts stand out:

• Volatility is driving repositioning. 95% say volatility is now a feature of the operating environment. 72% expect moderate to significant repositioning over the next three years.
• International expansion remains a priority. Over the next five years, 93% plan to increase cross-border trade or investment.
• Growth is being rewired around regions and capability. Over the next five years, 91% expect cross-border activity to become more regional. 50% say access to technology and infrastructure is now as important as market growth and client demand in shaping international strategy.

See what 3,000 global leaders expect next—and what it could mean for your international business.