Swiss Muses New Gold Rules as Rout Continues
Switzerland gears up for a national referendum on November 30th that may raise demand for the metal even as its price continues to crater on lukewarm investor demand.
Category: News Desk
Interest Rates Spike in Russia as the Economy is Slammed by Sanctions
The Bank of Russia has been seeing a lot of economic trouble over the recent months. Not so long ago, the bank announced that the benchmark interest rate had been raised from 8% to 9.5% in an attempt to rein in potential inflation.
The inflation rate is currently above 8% and still rising, which signifies a serious economic issue within the country, especially when combined with the continuing decline of the ruble. The currency within Russia is trading at standards that are historically low against other major countries.
Despite Free Trade Agreements, U.S. Exports Fall
The U.S. government’s budget deficit fell to its lowest level since 2008 as the trade deficit rose due to weaker demand for U.S. products abroad and Federal cost-cutting at home.
Swedish Economy Continues to do OK Despite the Global Slowdown
Recent evidence suggests that the economy in Sweden will continue to pick up the pace throughout 2014 and 2015. In the second quarter, Sweden’s GDP grew by approximately 0.7%, significantly more than the 0.3% that had been predicted by analysts earlier in the year. Experts believe that the Swedish economy will see a serious recovery during 2015; however there are comments that the risk of slowing global growth could eventually have an impact.
U.S. Manufacturing Surge Offsets Europe Deflation Threat
Both U.S. manufacturing and economic activity expanded in October at a much faster rate than economists expected, while a slowdown in Europe hints at an uneven global recovery.
Optimism Slays Bears on Japan Cash, Cheap Gas
Stocks surged late last week as Japan surprised markets with a new bout of quantitative easing and low oil prices brought cheaper gas to more American pumps.
Cuban Economy Stagnates, Prompting Calls for Further Reforms
Some of the well-respected economists in Cuba have begun to question the core of the command economy that is being run with Soviet-style formation. Are they not about 50 years too late on this one?
The Bay Area has some Bright News Despite Still Combating Past Issues
For the first time since the tragic attacks of 9/11, all three of the employment hubs within Bay Area: the San Francisco metro area, the East Bay and the South Bay, have established themselves as million-job economies. These fresh statistics have begun to banish the pain of the Great Recession, and suggest that the Bay Area may be in the midst of a significant employment boom.
The Week in Review: U.S. GDP Rises 3.5% amid Low Interest Rates, Europe Bank Failures
The United States saw 3.5% GDP growth in the third quarter of 2014 while the Federal Reserve expects low bond yields to remain for the foreseeable future. In Europe, growth has come to a standstill, with second quarter GDP growth stagnant throughout the Eurozone and negative GDP growth in Germany and Italy dragging down the entire continent.
Germany’s Economy Continues to Fall and Growth Prospects Weaken
Over the past few years, Germany has risen to the top of the Eurozone as a shining example amidst a sea of economic weakness. However, it seems that now the country is beginning to experience some serious trouble within its economy which is not surprising since this is the country that told Wal-Mart to raise its prices. Recently, Germany was forced to cut its growth outlook estimation, and the amount of investor confidence in the region has fallen to its lowest level in over two years.
