China’s targeted growth of 7.0 percent for the year may not occur as the economy suffers from weaker consumer spending, sluggish export growth, property decline and a lack of infrastructure projects. The People’s Bank of China cut another interest rate this week, and analysts expect Chinese officials to commence more monetary easing measures and increase spending.
Greece has notoriously struggled economically since the global economy declined in 2008. To get struggling European nations back on their feet, the European Central Bank created a bailout program, which Greece eagerly accepted. Unfortunately, as each payment has loomed, Greece has struggled to make repayment. Now, a report of Greece’s first quarter economic performance indicates that it fell back into recession, adding pressure to the struggling nation to reach an agreement with its creditors over its upcoming bailout payments.
Portugal’s economy expanded 0.4 percent compared to the last quarter, but analysts expected higher growth of 0.5 percent. Portugal owes its growth to higher domestic demand and exports. The government forecasts a growth rate of 1.6 percent for 2015.
Anyone who has looked at the cost for rent in New York, San Francisco, and similar cities knows just how expensive it can be to live in these towns. But, could these high rents actually be hurting the economy?
Retail sales failed to rise in April, causing the Federal Reserve to lower its GDP forecast as Americans are slow to spend and stimulate the consumer-driven economy.
France’s economy grew at its fastest pace in two years, receiving a boost from production and consumer spending, while benefiting from low oil prices. Industrial production was its strongest in four years, and consumer spending rose 1.6 percent in the first quarter.
Like many East African nations, Uganda has made huge strides in recent years by developing and expanding its agricultural processing facilities. This is part of a plan to enhance the value of existing farming operations by offering critical support services to farmers, such as storage, processing, and shipping. This approach has shown remarkable success in expanding Uganda’s GDP, but it has also led to the unfortunate byproducts of industrialization: energy consumption, pollution, and biological waste.
France GDP grows 0.6% in first quarter of 2015, above estimates of 0.4%. Lower oil prices and a weaker euro helped exports, driving a higher growth rate than the European country has seen for two years. Some analysts believe this could be the beginning of a recovery after three years of stagnation.
Bank of America, the second largest bank holding company in the United States, and the 23rd largest company in the world in 2015 according to Forbes, knows a few things about doing business. That is why when Bank of America offers a report regarding its opinions about current events affecting the United States’ economy, analysts, politicians, and investors all tend to take heed.
Despite dire warnings from Swiss corporations, Switzerland’s economy continues to excel. The Swiss business community and various analysts warned of drastic economic decline when the Swiss National Bank lifted a cap on the franc in January 2015.
