Markets Archives - Page 453 of 782

Concern Grows Over Indonesia’s Recent Growth Slowdown

Put in a comparative, historical perspective, Indonesia’s economic growth performance has been relatively strong. Yet the recent slowdown in growth is a cause for concern.

It is estimated that the Indonesian economy will only grow 4.7 percent in 2015 and 5.1 percent next year, far below China and India — and even below Vietnam and the Philippines. In addition, the significant drop in total factor productivity growth following the Asian financial crisis has yet to recover, unlike in Thailand and Malaysia.

OECD Report: India Biggest Exporter of Doctors and Nurses to Europe

A recent study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has made some interesting findings about the pedigrees of doctors and nurses in Europe. As it turns out, a great number of these medical professionals came from India. In fact, India has been identified as the largest exporter of doctors and nurses to Europe.

Vietnam’s Economy Performs Better than Expected in 2015

Vietnam’s economy grew at its fastest pace in five years due to such factors as record foreign investment and strong domestic demand, according to AFP. The government recorded 6.68 percent expansion for the year, surpassing expectations of 6.2 percent. The World Bank also predicts that the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) could add up to 8 percent to Vietnam’s GDP over the next 20 years.

South Korea Wants It Easy to be Green

Recent headlines on the South Korean economy announced that the country’s GDP grew faster during July–September 2015 than it had over the past five years. However, there is a more important story beyond the fluctuations in regularly reported macroeconomic data that needs telling.

South Korea is quickly rising as a world leader in the creation, development and export of renewable energy technologies — widely viewed by analysts as strategic growth industries of the future.

It’s Time for Sri Lanka to Focus on the Economy

The direction of Sri Lanka’s post-civil war socio-political and economic development took a pivotal turn in 2015 with the election of a new president in January and, seven months later, a new government to parliament.

Chinese Economy Likely to Decelerate Further in the Fourth Quarter, Albeit Moderately

China grew at 7% year-on-year in the first and the second quarter and 6.9% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2015. This is its weakest quarterly economic performance since first quarter of 2009 according to official data, growth is likely to decelerate further – albeit moderately – in the fourth quarter (i.e. GDP growth will probably be a bit lower than 6.9% year-on-year in the fourth quarter). Consequently, annual GDP growth will be lower than the official target of 7% in 2015.

Rising Oil, Spending Bolster U.S. Stocks

After a sharp decline at the beginning of the week, stocks surged strongly as rising oil prices and higher consumer spending indicate improvements for parts of the U.S. economy. Inventories of U.S. crude fell, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

A new study shows that crude inventories fell by 5.9 million barrels in the week ending December 18th, which constituted a far greater move than analysts had expected, as many predicted total inventories to see a small rise from the prior week.

Oil Prices Spike

A History not Discussed without Controversy

In October 2015, the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival cancelled the launch of three books containing testimonies collected from survivors of Indonesia’s worst political genocide of the 20th century. Why is discussing history so controversial in Indonesia?

U.S. Economy Slows in Q3 despite Lower Energy Costs

Real GDP rose 2 percent in the third quarter, after rising 3.9 percent in the second quarter, a sharp deceleration that analysts expected despite lower energy costs that have failed to stimulate personal consumption. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the growth in GDP was partly due to a better-than-expected environment for investment, as inventories fell less than feared.

China Straddles Menacing Superpower and Economic Saviour

The Janus-faced nature of Xi Jinping’s China was again on show in 2015. In September, a dour-looking Xi reviewed soldiers and ballistic missiles at a military parade in Beijing to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Victory Day, which marks China’s victory over Japanese aggression in World War II. A month later, a grinning Xi rode beside Queen Elizabeth in the royal carriage as Prime Minister David Cameron talked up Chinese investment in the United Kingdom.