Economics
Can monetary policy address U.S. long-term unemployment?
With Janet Yellen newly confirmed as Chairman of the Federal Reserve, investors are now parsing her testimony to gain insight on the future direction of interest rates. One particularly interesting piece
Spanish court ruling could hurt China-Spain trade
Spain’s High Court has issued arrest orders to detain former Chinese President Jiang Zemin, former premier Li Peng, and three others over charges brought by Tibetan human rights groups in Spain.
Yellen’s first statements chart clear path for Federal Reserve
The new Fed Chairwoman made clear to Congress that her Fed will focus on improving the labor market and being straightforward in its messaging. In her first major appearance since becoming
Panama Canal deadlock rattles shipping industry
The Panama Canal expansion is a project of huge dimensions, and the shipping industry tries to tailor ships to its prospective needs. The project recently came to a halt rattling
Pakistan seeks to privatize state-owned companies
Pakistan has begun work to privatize many of its state-owned industries, both to raise revenue and to secure loans from the IMF. Although opposition exists domestically, the government hopes privatization
Under-the-radar growth increases in southern Africa
Southern African countries will be rapidly growing emerging markets in the near future. The combination of growing political stability and an expanding middle class of consumers makes the region an
Is China’s era as the world’s factory coming to an end?
A Chinese economic slowdown is a growing fear. January’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI) of 50.5 seems to confirm such fears, as China’s manufacturing sector now comes dangerously close to not
Pressure mounts on Ghana’s government to address imbalances
Deteriorating twin deficits have put pressure on the government to adopt austerity measures. But risks of social unrest and reduced FDI may force authorities to moderate their rebalancing efforts. Although
US taper puts pressure on emerging markets
The Federal Reserve’s decision in January to continue reducing the pace of asset purchases has put emerging markets in a bind. At the end of January, the Federal Reserve decided
Why emerging markets are not collapsing
The recent rout of emerging markets prompt worries over a new emerging market crisis like those of the 1990s and early 2000s. While significant downside risks exist, differentiation is likely
