Finance

Notable quotes from finance and markets speakers at the Reuters Next conference

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on December 3, 2025

2 min read

· Last updated: January 20, 2026

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Dec 3 (Reuters) - Reuters is hosting the two-day Reuters Next conference in New York on Wednesday and Thursday, bringing together more than 700 international business leaders and policymakers to

Notable Finance Quotes from Reuters Next Conference

Dec 3 (Reuters) - Reuters is hosting the two-day Reuters Next conference in New York on Wednesday and Thursday, bringing together more than 700 international business leaders and policymakers to examine the biggest issues facing society, business and the world.

Following are some notable quotes from speakers in the finance and markets sessions of the conference. 

MICHAL KATZ, MIZUHO AMERICAS HEAD OF INVESTMENT AND CORPORATE BANKING 

"AI is still in the early innings of its evolution, and obviously valuations have been stretched just given the dollars going into capex and companies wanting a stake in the game. We have seen risks arise over potential overbuild, concentration among certain off-takers, and questions about whether returns will materialize. But it’s early days—the story of AI is still being written. Winners have yet to be defined"

UMESH SUBRAMANIAN, CITADEL CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER

"We try to make sure that AI doesn't go into the land of prediction. It goes into the land of seeing today clearly."

BRENDAN COUGHLIN, PRESIDENT OF CITIZENS FINANCIAL GROUP

"The industry is ripe for further consolidation and a lot of this tech discussion we've had is going to favor folks with more scale. There's been some M&A in 2025. There's a lot of discussion around that heating up. I think you know (by) December 31, 2026, there will be less deals than people imagine."

View the live broadcast of the World Stage here and read full coverage here.

(Compiled by Pritam Biswas and Ateev Bhandari in Bengaluru; Editing by Matthew Lewis)

Key Takeaways

  • AI is in early stages with evolving valuations.
  • AI should focus on clarity, not prediction.
  • Financial industry poised for consolidation.
  • Tech advancements favor larger scale operations.
  • Future M&A activity may be less than expected.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is AI?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines programmed to think and learn. It is used in various applications, including finance, to analyze data and make decisions.
What is M&A?
Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) are transactions in which the ownership of companies, other business organizations, or their operating units are transferred or combined. They are common strategies for growth in the finance sector.
What are valuations?
Valuations are estimates of the worth of an asset or company. They are crucial in investment decisions, mergers, and acquisitions, providing insights into financial performance and market position.
What is consolidation in finance?
Consolidation in finance refers to the process of combining multiple companies or assets into a single entity. This is often done to improve efficiency, reduce competition, or increase market share.
What is capex?
Capital Expenditure (capex) refers to funds used by a company to acquire, upgrade, and maintain physical assets such as property, buildings, or equipment. It is a key indicator of a company's investment in its future.

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