Markets

4 January 2015

Can India Capitalize on a Landmark 2014?

India had a landmark year in 2014. A new political, cultural and economic reality is emerging. India had a landmark year in 2014. A new political, cultural and economic reality is emerging.The trend of political fragmentation that started with the...

4 January 2015

China’s New Diplomatic Strategy Receives Support from Putin

China is working to make the international order suit its interests better and put China front and centre in global affairs. Xi Jinping’s new diplomatic focus on multilateral diplomacy includes giving new profile to existing arrangements where China can lead,...

4 January 2015

Measuring ASEAN State Capacity

An embarrassing fact about ASEAN governments avoided in public policy discussions is that the capacity of most ASEAN states is quite limited — much more limited than they, and the international community, generally wish to admit. Until there is recognition...

31 December 2014

The Dollar’s Last Hurrah in 2014

The US dollar is trading with a slightly heavier bias as the last minute position adjustment takes a toll. The dollar-bloc and Scandi's are doing somewhat better and sterling is a few ticks higher, while the euro and yen are...

29 December 2014

They Make Wine in China? Why Yes, They Do

China’s wine industry has exploded in recent years, with the number of wineries more than doubling over the past decade, propelling the country past Australia to become the world’s 7th-largest producer. What is driving this fast-paced growth and is the...

29 December 2014

Greek Election Fallout and European Asset Values

The failure of Greek Prime Minister Samaras to secure sufficient votes in the third and final parliamentary attempt to select a new president has sparked a sell-off in European stocks and peripheral bonds.  Up until now, the contagion from Greece...

29 December 2014

Thoughts to Mull in the Last Week of the Year

We identify six key issues for investors in the holiday-shortened week ahead.  We identify six key issues for investors in the holiday-shortened week ahead. 1.  The recent string of US economic data showed not only an upward revision in Q3 GDP...

26 December 2014

Thin Trading and Closed Markets on Boxing Day

In thin trading conditions, the major currencies are little changed.  The euro is straddling the $1.22 area.  It has held above the low seen earlier this week near $1.2165.   Since the low, the reaction high has been limited to...

26 December 2014

World Economy 2014

2014 witnessed slow growth in the world economy. It tested economies of emerging markets and advanced economies. Economies like Eurozone, Japan and Russia saw some major financial shocks. On the other hand, when compared to 2013, advanced countries like USA...

26 December 2014

India’s Modi Faces Challenges but Inspires Confidence

India’s economy, which has languished in middling growth for the past few years, is on the mend under new Prime Minister Narendra Modi.After experiencing real GDP growth of less than 5 per cent in 2013-14, the Indian economy is expected...

25 December 2014

South Asian Countries Should not Wait for SAARC

Since its inception in 1985, there have been questions about the effectiveness of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to promote economic integration in South Asia. One of the biggest impediments to SAARC’s progress has been the continued...