Economics

Amid a recovering world economy beset by risks, the outlook for Asia–Latin America economic ties seems bright. Asia needs commodities for its dynamic global factory and Latin America has abundant natural resources. Asia needs food for its large population and...

China and the US are entering a new and troubling phase of cybersecurity. The recent crash of North Korea’s internet network reveals just how inexperienced world leaders are in dealing with cyber conflict. It shows how one reckless act in...

Negotiations between the European Union (EU) and the United States (US) on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) are currently dragging on without a clear time target—no wonder in view of the highly complex topics on which to agree....

The federal equalization program envisioned by Canada had the best of intentions. However, consequences have pushed two provinces to turn away from the most sensible economic opportunities for their areas, reducing job opportunities, incomes, and tax revenues. Two examples of...

It is not about the data today though there has been a slew of data that in other times would have moved the market.  The flash HSBC China PMI reported above expectations at 49.8 from 49.6 in December, but still...

The European Central Bank confirmed it would spend 1.1 trillion euros on asset-backed securities to fight deflationary trends throughout the Eurozone, while business leaders and politicians discussed economic trends at Davos.The ECB announced Thursday that its program would aim at...

By allowing the European Central Bank (ECB) to start buying debt issued by its member states, the Eurozone is copying a strategy now associated with the earlier return to growth in the US and UK. Quantitative easing (QE) may not...

Today is all about the ECB.  The press claims to have access to people or documents that have the ECB buying 50 bln euros of bonds a month.  The duration of the program is not clear. There was a conflict...

Investor enthusiasm cheered European markets after rumors surfaced that the European Central Bank will inject as much as 1.1 trillion euros in the European Union.The ECB, which will announce its plans today, will spend the money purchasing assets throughout the...

1. What is the ECB going to do? The ECB is widely expected to announce that it will accelerate and broaden its efforts to expand its balance sheet. 1. What is the ECB going to do? The ECB is widely...

The European Central Bank meets tomorrow, and that is the main event of the week.  The price action today is dominated by other central banks.  The market is still struggling to find a new balance after the Swiss National Bank's...

Homebuilders are becoming increasingly pessimistic, as stagnant wages and falling demand from investors is pinching the market.The National Association of Home Builders saw its builder confidence index fall one point to 57, slightly below expectations, as recent improvements in the...

While nothing excuses the terrorist killings in Paris, the French state can no longer turn a blind eye to the marginalization of Muslims. The French banlieues are becoming a breeding ground for jihadists. While nothing excuses the terrorist killings in...

Currency wars have been predicted for years. Outright monetary battles were last seen during the Great Depression of the 1930s, when governments competed to devalue their currencies to gain market advantage. But since the return to floating exchange rates in...

The US dollar's strength is a product of both the expected trajectory of Fed policy and the fact that ECB and BOJ are still in aggressive easing modes.  Both sides of the equation are being driven home.  The Wall Street...