Russia is looking to establish a stronger business relationship with the United Arab Emirates in order to get an economic boost. Russian President Vladimir Putin seeks to save his economy from sanctions imposed by western powers. Russians are also looking to the rest of the Gulf region as a lucrative investment source.
Over the last several decades, recycling has grown into an extremely prominent industry, not just in the United States, but also around the world. However, economics realities impact “feel good” green industries just as much as the worst polluting companies. Indeed, one common target for environmental reform, the oil industry, may actually be harming recycling as it suffers its own price collapse.
Americans do not plan to spend money received from their tax refunds or saved thanks to lower gas prices in a sign that aggregate demand remains depressed.
A new survey of over 1,000 Americans by Principal Financial Group showed that over half of respondents do not plan to spend their refunds on consumables, opting instead to save the money or invest it. A significant portion—35% of total respondents—said they will use the money to pay down debt, while a minority 18% said they would buy consumer products such as electronics, jewelry, and clothing.
According to analyst predictions, France’s economy will pick up speed in the first half of 2015, but unemployment will remain high. The economy expects to grow .04 percent in the first quarter and .03 percent in the second quarter.
Much has been made of the widening gap between the richest and poorest in America. But, a recent study shows a difference in the ways that the classes make and spend their money and helps explain why issues like inflation and economic recovery are of such differing degrees of importance to the rich and the poor, respectively.
Americans are demanding less services from non-manufacturing industries in another indicator that the economic recovery is slowing.
A new report from the Institute of Supply Management shows non-manufacturing activity fell from February to March, as the non-manufacturing index (NMI) fell to 56.5 in March, down from 56.9 in February. The NMI showed a fall in business activity and production, supplier deliveries, inventories, and inventory sentiment.
The March job numbers mark the lowest job surplus since December of 2013. The report is below analyst expectations of at least 244,000, and the energy industry cut 11,000 jobs for March. So far, the energy industry has lost 30,000 jobs in 2015.
According to a recent report issued by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and reported by DW.de, Ireland has logged the fastest rate of growth of all of the 28 European Union member countries. The growth appears to reflect strong surges in both exports and domestic demand.
What the Numbers Reveal
The U.S. labor market is getting weaker, with less new jobs for unemployed Americans.
The United States saw 126,000 new jobs in March, far below expectations and well below recent job gains. Economists have cut growth forecasts on the news, with expectation that the U.S. economy saw no growth in the first quarter of 2015. The Federal Reserve has cut its GDP forecast several times in recent months, and the trend may continue as weak job growth and low-income growth combine to keep retail sales and economic activity depressed.
Several separate economic indicators suggest Asian economies are seeing accelerating weakness, fueling speculation that more Asian banks will begin monetary stimulus programs.
Manufacturing and service growth in China saw sluggish growth after falling in February, with the Purchasing Managers’ Index rising to 50.1 in March from 49.9 in the prior month, indicating a slight expansion.
