OECD-Global economy urgently needs a stronger and more coherent policy response to promote robust and inclusive growth
February 26, 2016--Policymakers need to deploy broad-based reform plans that incorporate monetary, fiscal, and structural policies to stimulate persistently weak demand, re-launch productivity growth, create jobs and build a more inclusive global economy, according to the OECD's annual Going for Growth report.
Going for Growth 2016 offers a comprehensive assessment of how government policy reforms affect economic performance and their citizens' well-being. It identifies new priorities to revive growth and underscores the importance of synergies among policies in designing reform programmes.
view the OECD Economic Policy Reforms 2016 Going for Growth Interim Report
Source: OECD
When Currency Pegs Break, Global Dominoes Fall
February 25, 2016--The U.S. dollar has risen by more than 35% against other major trading currencies since mid-2014.
If all currencies floated freely on the global foreign exchange (FX) market, this dramatic rise would have easily predictable consequences: everything other nations import that is priced in dollars (USD) costs 35% more, and everything the U.S. imports from other major trading nations costs 35% less.
Source: emergingequity.org
IMF Survey-World to Experience Myriad Formidable Demographic Changes
February 25, 2016--Increased longevity boosts age-related spending in much of the world
Africa can reap a demographic dividend from a growing working-age population
Increasing female workforce participation could offset some problems of aging and shrinking populations
The world is being buffeted by potent and sometimes contradictory demographic changes, all of which pose formidable social, economic, and environmental threats, Harvard professor David E. Bloom writes in the March 2016 issue of Finance & Development magazine.
Source: IMF
Oil up 3 percent on March producers meeting, U.S. project delays
February 25, 2016--Crude oil futures jumped 3 percent on Thursday, reversing earlier loses after confirmation of a meeting of major producers and news of project delays and job cuts in the industry.
Venezuela reaffirmed a mid-March meeting of oil producers that would include Saudi Arabia, Russia and Qatar, to stabilize prices that have slumped 70 percent in a 20-month rout.
Source: Reuters
EM ex-China growth slips below that of developed world
February 25, 2016--Emerging markets, by definition, are meant to emerge. Strip out China, however, and the economies of the developing world are now growing more slowly than the developed world for the first time since 1999.
Emerging markets ex-China eked out output growth of just 1.92 per cent last year...
Source: FT.com
Nigeria: Govt, Saudi Arabia Commit to Raising Oil Price
February 24, 2016--Leaders of Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have expressed commitment to a "stable oil market" and a "rebound of oil price."
Source: AllAfrica.com
Merk Insight: Gold Now?
February 24, 2016--Gold never changes; it's the world around it that does. Why is it that we see a renewed interest in gold now? And more importantly, should investors buy this precious metal?
Key attributes in a 'changing world' that may be relevant to the price of gold are fear and interest rates. Let's examine these:
Gold & Fear
When referencing 'fear' driving the markets, most think of a terrorist attack, political uncertainty or some other crisis that impacts investor sentiment, and sure enough, at times, the price of gold moves higher when this type of fear is observed.
Source: Merk
Infographic-Why a Brexit Could Be a Losing Proposition for Everyone
February 24, 2016--After two days of intense negotiations, British Prime Minister David Cameron has proposed a new agreement that could allow Britain to stay in the European Union.
Although not all of his demands were met in full, the potential deal focuses on migrant workers, protecting the pound and London's financial sector from regulations, sovereignty, and competitiveness.
Source: visualcapitalist.com
Infographic-Virtual and Augmented Reality: The Players and the Game
February 23, 2016--Virtual reality has been exiled to the dreaded trough of disillusionment for years, but it is finally on the path to escape.
Products such as Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive are continuously wowing both users and investors, and these technologies will clearly play a significant role in the future of movies and gaming. view more
Source: visualcapitalist.com
DECPG Global Monthly-February 2016
February 23, 2016--February Overview
Global growth slowed further in the fourth quarter of 2015, as activity was soft in the U.S. and contracted in Japan.
Financial markets have become increasingly concerned about global prospects, and major central banks have
modified their policy stance to mitigate downside risks.
Outflows from China continued to put pressure on foreign reserves, while portfolio flows to other emerging markets showed tentative signs of stabilization.
With the further plunge in oil prices, oil exporters continue to face challenges, including weakening external accounts, depreciating currencies, accelerating inflation, and deteriorating fiscal balances.
Source: World Bank