Category: News Desk

Greece Falls Back Into Recession, Bailout Payments Questionable


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.

Portuguese Economy Makes Progress in the First Quarter


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.

Study Suggests US GDP Strangled by Overly High Rents


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?

U.S. Suffers Weak Retail Sales, Leads to a GDP Forecast Downgrade


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 High Unemployment May Keep Hollande Out of the Next Election


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.

Can Ugandan Slaughterhouses Become Model for Green Industry?


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.

French Growth Accelerates, Germany Slows, and English Headwinds


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 Offers Its Two Cents on Conditions Affecting American Economy


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.

Swiss Economy Defies Doomsday Predictions


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.

South Korea Sees Signs of Economic Recovery


After nearing a recession as growth slows and exports slide, South Korea is seeing hints of an economic recovery.

According to South Korea’s Finance Minister, industrial output, consumption, and construction investment are seeing steady improvement in April, indicating that the slowdown might have reached a bottom and a recovery could be on its way.