The amount of debt that governments owe gets called out on a regular basis by commentators and analysts as one the key economic risks that we face. The IMF has been to the fore talking about the fiscal and financial risks of a high debt, slow growth world. In their view, higher long term interestContinue reading “Does Debt Matter?”
Category Archives: Global Debt
Why is the US economy in better shape than Europe?
Today the European Central Bank described Europe as being fragile and vulnerable. In contrast, the US Central bank spoke of broad based strength across all categories. What are the facts? Compared to the US, Europe has higher inflation, higher unemployment, weaker stock-markets and significantly lower economic growth. And the gaps aren’t marginal – unemployment in Europe isContinue reading “Why is the US economy in better shape than Europe?”
Beyond the Taverna
Just over 10 years ago, it’s major cities were on fire. Bank buildings were burnt and foreign owned stores set alight and looted. Mass demonstrations were violent and fatal and met with riot police and tear gas. The political system was on the verge of collapse. Today, Greece is one of the fastest growing economiesContinue reading “Beyond the Taverna”
Could there be a Chinese Credit Suisse?
The Great Wall of China dates from the 7th century BC and is over 20,000 km in length. It has had a profound military, economic and political impact on China. But at times of global financial crisis, China also seems to have had a financial “great wall” protecting it from contagion. China’s economy in the 80’s.Continue reading “Could there be a Chinese Credit Suisse?”
A World Divided
The global economy has reached a fork in the road. This is the advice the IMF provided to the recent G20 meeting of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors. As the world continues to climb back from the worst peace time recession since the Great Depression, the prospects and pace of any recovery are, inContinue reading “A World Divided”
The End of Interest Rates
Interest rates are the policy tool of choice for Central Bankers. And until the Great Financial Crisis, they were almost the only tool investors paid any attention to. This was how Paul Volcker, then chairman of the US Federal Reserve, whipped inflation out of the US economy from the early 1980’s. Setting interest rate policyContinue reading “The End of Interest Rates”
Just a minute: China
October 18th 2019 China – This morning’s numbers This morning we got more key indicators on the health of the Chinese economy. The economy grew by 6% in the third quarter, which while marginally weaker than the previous quarter, was reasonably expected by markets. This was the lowest in 26 years. There was better newsContinue reading “Just a minute: China”
“Neeeaaaoorgheee!”
Tommy Tiernan has a brilliant piece where he discusses the global debt situation. It’s not a typical topic in stand-up comedy and well worth a look on YouTube. https://youtu.be/E8DfCzOS1lE He says we all owe – Germany owes billions of gazzillions, while England owes trillions of willions of billions and as for the USContinue reading ““Neeeaaaoorgheee!””
Tradewinds 