Markets

25 May 2016

Another Day, Another Brexit Forecast

It seems that not a day goes by without another Brexit economic forecast – whether it is one from the Treasury, the OECD or Economists for Brexit. Some say it will cost Britain to leave; others say it will be beneficial to the UK...

25 May 2016

The Association of Shinto Shrines and the G7 Summit

When the leaders of G7 countries descend on Japan later this week, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has taken the opportunity to invite them to visit Ise Shrine as well. Although there were many reasons for the choice of Ise-Shima as...

25 May 2016

Will Duterte Follow Aquino into the South China Sea?

Some countries have become wary of China’s aspiration to become a maritime power because the means pursued by the Xi Jinping government — as seen in the disputed South China Sea — appear to ignore the legitimate interests of its...

24 May 2016

Meanwhile, in Australian Television News

The Ten Network is signing a five-year regional television affiliation agreement with WIN, ending long-standing speculation.  While WIN needs Ten’s big name programs, this move looks forced and results in WIN sacrif The Ten Network is signing a five-year regional television affiliation agreement with WIN,...

24 May 2016

What’s Really Going On in Africa’s Middle Class?

Since the turn of the century, the middle classes of the global South have taken centre stage in economic policy circles. Animated by diversification of some countries’ economies, a handful of economists from international agencies and think-tanks began a discourse...

24 May 2016

Philippine President Duterte Walks the Walk

There may be more to the Philippines’ new president Rodrigo Duterte than his tough guy image indicates. In the populist theatrics that are Filipino politics, the overwhelming election of Duterte should not have come as a surprise, even with common,...

23 May 2016

The Brexit and Vector Autoregressive Analysis…What?

Over 90 pages, the British Treasury’s latest referendum attempts to identify the short-term economic effects of a vote to leave on June 23 – aka Brexit. When the Treasury tweeted the publication late on the morning of May 23 it was...

23 May 2016

U.S. Interest in India’s Defense Needs is Way Up

On 10–13 April, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter paid his third visit in just 30 months to India — the seventh by a US Defense Secretary since 2008. The frequency of high-level visits reflects the prominence accorded to New Delhi...

23 May 2016

Emerging Markets’ Rocky Road

EM had another rocky week, but managed to end on a slightly firmer note Friday.  Market repricing of Fed tightening risk was the big driver last week, and that could carry over into this week.  There are several Fed speakers...

17 May 2016

Africa (not exactly) Rising

Self-congratulatory rhetoric keeps springing from the lips of World Economic Forum elites – at the expense of reality.  Software executive Brett Parker claims “Africa will probably remain natural resources-driven for the next two decades at least.” African Leadership University’s Fred Swaniker ...

17 May 2016

India’s Job Creation Data not Reflective of Good Times

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s promise of ‘good days’ that underpinned his 2013 election campaign is premised on moving India away from its dole-and-entitlement development model to one that empowers youth by generating large-scale employment. In that context, recently released employment...

17 May 2016

China’s Economy: Mostly Planned or Mostly Market

There is a recurring question on the nature of China’s economy — is it mostly planned or mostly market? This question has become more concrete this year as China’s partners are scheduled to decide on whether or not to grant...