Throughout the economic concerns and debt crises, Germany has always managed to keep its head above water, and sometimes thrive, despite the area’s hardships. Not anymore. In 2011, German exports increased dramatically while employment levels improved, wages rose and real estate climbed to altogether new heights. Near-balance of the federal budget and other positive signs… Continue Reading
Investing and Global Finance News
Category Archives: International
Stock Markets Spiral Downward as Spain’s Crisis Worsens
Spain’s gaping economic crisis has pushed stock markets down this week triggering a fresh wave of doubt concerning the Eurozone’s progress and recovery. The Washington Post explains that Spain’s unemployment rate, currently higher than that of the U.S. during the Great Depression, has contributed to the economy’s downfall. “Spain announced that its economy shrank by… Continue Reading
Former Greek Finance Minister Warns Harsh Cuts are Holding Back Economic Recovery
Former Greek finance minister and head of the Socialist party Evangelos Venizelos said on Tuesday that it will be “almost impossible” for Greece to cut back spending by €11.5 billion ($14.1 billion) over the coming two years, the amount its rescue creditors demanded as part of the bailout deal. Venizelos made his statement in a… Continue Reading
IMF Reveals Bleak Outlook for Global Economy
A recent statement by the IMF claims that the world is perched precariously on the backs of the U.S. and European economies. Global growth will remain stunted until they improve. According to their website, Europe’s persistent crisis has hindered global economic recovery into the second quarter. Predictions from the World Economic Outlook say global economy… Continue Reading
Asian Stock Market Unstable as China’s Trade Growth Falters
Stalled trade growth in China has wreaked havoc on the Asian stock market as global demand falters. Chinese imports fell by half this past June to 6.3%, while exports increased 11.3% in comparison to May’s 15.3% growth. Meanwhile, slow demand for China’s oil, iron ore and various other goods has triggered concern in other economies… Continue Reading
EU Summit Looking for Solutions to Debt Crisis
The financial ministers of the euro zone’s largest economies will meet on Tuesday prior to the upcoming full-blown summit of the European Union to be held on Thursday. The financial ministers of Germany, France, Spain and Italy hope to come up with a plan to shrink their differences on how to deal with the present… Continue Reading
World Bank Hopes to Issue Yuan Bonds in Hong Kong
Michael Bennet, head of derivatives and structured finance at the World Bank says that there is a good chance that the bank will once again issue yuan-denominated bonds in Hong Kong as soon as borrowing costs improve to a more favorable rate. According to information collected by the Bloomberg organization, International Finance Corp, a member… Continue Reading
Apple Seeking to Expand Its Stores In China
Government officials in China announced that Apple Inc is looking into opening flagship stores in two of China’s major cities, Chengdu and Shenzhen, despite the fact that Apple is still in dispute with a Chinese company over the use of the iPad trademark. At the moment Apple has only five stores on the Chinese mainland,… Continue Reading
Natural Consequences or To the Rescue for the Euro Zone’s Crisis
Wednesday is decision day for the European Central Bank. At issue is how the E.C.B. should handle the latest euro zone banking and debt crisis. In many ways the easy path for officials at the E.C.B. would be to save the economies with cuts in the benchmark interest rate to a historic low and/or to… Continue Reading
Reserve Bank of Australia Makes Cuts in Face of Global Uncertainty
As finance ministers across the globe rally to discuss the flailing economy, Australia’s central bank is cutting interest rates in an effort to boost confidence throughout the nation. The country’s overseas outlook is relatively bleak, and local growth is slow as well. The Reserve Bank of Australia has minimized its cash rate to 3.5%, 25… Continue Reading