North America
The Volcker Rule depends on regulator cooperation
Over three years in the making, a key piece of the Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act reaches completion and limits proprietary trading by US banks. Yet,
Fed mulls taper, possible changes in guidance
A strong December U.S. jobs report has fueled speculation on the possibility of a taper of asset purchases in December or January. However, job numbers are not clear-cut for a
Could Puerto Rico default?
Puerto Rico is about to follow in the footsteps of Detroit, with few options left but declaring bankruptcy. With U.S. retirement funds relying on Puerto Rican bonds in portfolios, the
TPP delayed as US auto makers push for currency clause
As the year’s end deadline for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) deal nears, US lawmakers press to include a provision on currency manipulation – in part to support US automakers. Including
Why US business cannot afford to ignore unbalanced politics
The US government shutdown revealed that big business may have responsibilities to a functioning political system. After a three-week debacle, the greatest loser is neither a political party nor the
Why you should cherish Yellen’s academic background
A look at new Fed chair Janet Yellen’s academic background offers interesting insights into Obama’s pick for America’s top financial position. Robin Harding summarized the situation that Janet Yellen, President Obama’s
Taking the debt ceiling to the brink
With the House of Representatives having passed a bill Wednesday night putting an end to the government shutdown, let’s take a look at the factors that contributed to the political
Why the US Shutdown May Actually Mean Bigger Government
It sounds like the kind of lofty thought experiment that academics would ponder: What happens if the U.S. government shuts down? The event is full of paradoxes. On the one
US Shutdown Warm-up to Debt Ceiling Negotiations?
The Economist gave a blistering verdict on the political impasse in Congress today: “Once a stalwart of good governance, America looks like a rodeo clown”. How has it come to
Debate Over U.S. Natural Gas Exports Heats Up
The consequences of the shale gas and oil energy revolution in the United States have had a great impact on the U.S. industry and economy. The benefits are by now
