Greece is facing an internal political collapse if it decides to leave the Eurozone. Other European nations, especially France, Italy, and Spain are gearing up to undergo similar transformations themselves. This is especially relevant if a Greek populist party is successful in changing any essential terms on the bailout agreement.
A fall in consumer-held debt and a rise in job openings are prompting greater enthusiasm in a strengthening U.S. economy, emboldening small business owners and workers.
We are all victims to fluctuations commonly associated with minimum wage (MW) adjustments.
In America, incomes mainly suffer because of a destructive health care policy and high taxes, especially for individuals who have not educated themselves sufficiently or picked up a lucrative skill. New Jersey’s minimum wage recently increased by 13 cents to $8.38, which many people who understand business know will only damage small businesses.
Oil futures fell over 4% on Monday morning as worries mount that economic growth is slowing around the world.
In the U.S., WTI futures expiring in February fell over 4% to $46.41, while Brent futures fell 4.5% to below $48. Oil futures have fallen 20% in the past month, after WTI futures fell to less than $60, which many analysts said was unsustainably low.
Experts suggest that Australia’s 2015 economy will be at a critical stage. The country has been struggling consistently with the negative impact of a slowdown in mining development, declining commodity prices, and renewed fiscal restrictions. According to Goldman Sachs, Australia could be heading towards the perfect storm in 2015.
Although the end of 2014 was brimming with some positive articles about the improving state of the United States economy despite Obamacare, the Dept. of the Interior, and the EPA holding back millions of Americans from improving their lives, some experts remain skeptical about whether America has overcome all of its financial problems.
A higher employment rate in the United States is encouraging more aggressive growth expectations from economists, while global growth expects to lag.
Economists are becoming more aggressive in their GDP targets, with several investment banks raising growth forecasts after the Commerce Department announced GDP growth rose to 5% in the United States in the third quarter of 2015.
U.S. equities saw a fall and recovery amidst greater uncertainty about falling prices in Europe and in the U.S.
The S&P 500 saw three straight days of steep declines before reviving at the end of this week, leaving the index down nearly 1.3% for 2015. The tumult in prices caused the volatility index, or VIX, to peak near 23 before closing at 17.01 on Thursday afternoon. Treasuries also saw mixed movements, with the 10-year Treasury yield dipping below 2% on continued fears of disinflation, only to recover to 2.01% by the end of Thursday.
According to experts, the plunge in oil prices renews weaknesses within the already worrying global economy, which could shake up governments that depend largely on oil-based revenue. At the same time, reduced oil prices could provide benefits to consumers, giving individuals more money for other things and lowering corporate costs.
Recent economic data emerging from France has placed further amounts of pressure on the currently stagnating economy. The country appears to be somewhat under-performing, especially in the realm of industrial production, generating concerns in government officials and financial experts alike. What did they expect when they voted in a devoted socialist?
