Economics

Generally, when thinking about the value of a nation's resources, economists look to more practical and empirical figures. How strong is the dollar versus another currency? What is the relative gross domestic product (GDP) of one nation versus another? While...

The US dollar is softer against all the major currencies today, led by the euro and sterling. The main exception is the New Zealand dollar.  Dovish comments by the deputy governor of the RBNZ fanning speculation of an easing bias...

The notion of a middle-income trap has generated much interest and discussion, but little consensus. There is no agreement on what the trap is or how long a country needs to be at the middle-income stage to be considered trapped....

The last few years have been remarkable for Greece’s relationship with the EU. The bail-out agreements between the country and the EU-IMF, the interference of the latter two in domestic affairs and the imposition of austerity have caused a sharp...

This week, in the shadow of the Pacific trade talks and the introduction of fast-track trade promotion authority, negotiators from the European Union and the United States are convening in New York City for what may be some animated chicken...

It is impossible to deny that trade and exchange rates are closely linked. But does that mean that international trade agreements should include provisions governing national policies that affect currency values? It is impossible to deny that trade and exchange...

With the Six Party Talks — the main multilateral mechanism to negotiate North Korea’s denuclearisation — moribund since December 2008, the North Korean nuclear issue appears increasingly intractable. North Korea has proceeded with its nuclear program and enshrined its nuclear...

A string of soft data in Asia and Europe has helped underpin the dollar, but choppy range trading persists.  Asian shares still rallied, helped by the biggest rally in Taiwan in almost two-years on the back of reports that China...

Saudi Arabia’s demand that Pakistan joins its coalition against the Houthi uprising in Yemen has put Islamabad in a catch-22 between joining the Saudi alliance and not antagonising its neighbour Iran. Joining the Saudi coalition would have long-term political, economic...

The Swiss National Bank announced today that as of May 1 the negative rate charged for sight deposits would be applicable to most institutions that were previously exempt. Many saw this as an easing move by the SNB and sold...

The bill that would grant President Obama trade promotion authority (fast track) is in for markup today.  That refers to the process where the initial bill is modified, re-written and amended before it comes up for a vote.  Although the...

The Environmental investigation Agency uses the techniques of investigative journalism to document evidence of illegal wildlife trade. It is one of the most effective easy of stemming the global tragedy that is wiping out treasured species. The Environmental investigation Agency...

The European Union has accused Russian gas giant Gazprom of anticompetitive practices as the EU issues formal charges against the firm. In a further sign of intensifying tension between the EU and Russia, the EU said it would pursue charges...

Today, there have been several fundamental developments encouraging the dollar's slippage.  Japan reported its first trade monthly trade surplus in nearly three years; further easing of rate cut expectations by Australia; BOE minutes warning of a faster pass through of...

The economy is taking centre stage in the UK election, with the main parties spending most of their time arguing over the speed and extent of cuts – and which party would be more “fiscally responsible”. But the fundamental (and...