US double dip: evidence mounts
28 Jul 2010 [0 Comments | 84 views]
Evidence that a US double dip recession is looking more likely came in four helpings yesterday. Although, in a funny kind of way, it may not be bad news in the long run. Helping number one came in the shape of the latest figures on US consumer confidence. You may recall, this fell sharply last [...]
Obama signs most important financial legislation in over half a century
22 Jul 2010 [1 Comment | 251 views]
It is one of the most controversial pieces of legislation ever passed in US history. And yet amongst the UK media it has barely raised a flicker. It is a shame, because the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act could have a profound impact upon the global economy for the next half a [...]
Fears over US double dip make place for new European panic , but at least news from China could perk up economists
19 Jul 2010 [0 Comments | 172 views]
Are the Chuckle Brothers still going strong, does anyone know? Alas, the author recalls the duo because his kids were young when they were popular, not because he was a child himself then. You may recall their famous line went like this: “From me, to you”. The other would respond in like fashion, and whatever [...]
Obama wears flares to latest G20 fashion parade, but he may be ahead of his time
28 Jun 2010 [0 Comments | 317 views]
David Cameron reckons these G20 jaunts are a waste of time. Judging by the latest attempt to present unity when actually there is profound disagreement, you can understand our PM’s reservations. The reason why this column is a fan of the G20 meetings has little to do with economics. Churchill, a man whose economic judgement [...]
Exports lead recovery
2 Jun 2010 [0 Comments | 190 views]
While all around there is woe, the manufacturing sector appears to be dishing out good news as if it was Father Christmas. The results of the latest manufacturing survey from CIPS/Markit were out yesterday, and it was another good one. Not quite as good as April, but then April was probably just about the best [...]
Good news lurks in latest economic data
26 May 2010 [0 Comments | 189 views]
The ONS has revised upwards its latest estimate of the UK economy’s growth rate in Q1. It now reckons the UK expanded by 0.2 per cent. It’s odd. Economists are still lamenting the UK’s performance in Q1, and yet it is surely too soon to tell. The ONS revised its assessment of growth in Q4 [...]
Spring is in the air, but don’t believe the green shoots
26 Apr 2010 [2 Comments | 530 views]
Goldman Sachs strikes back; IMF paratroopers bail out over Greece; the media celebrate soaring house prices; and also tell us the UK has avoided a double dip recession. The four big stories of the weekend are related. This is what happened, and why a lot of hogwash has been pouring forth. That great barometer of [...]
US double dip threatens
23 Apr 2010 [0 Comments | 234 views]
Those who fear inflation is set to take off have some explaining to do, considering the latest news on US producer prices. Meanwhile, the chances of a second dip in US house prices, possibly sparking off another recession, grows. US producer prices rose by 0.7 per cent in March. That may seem pretty alarming. But [...]
From Singapore to Argentina, and US to Greece, stunning is the word, but for different reasons
16 Apr 2010 [0 Comments | 313 views]
The last few days have seen important developments across the world. In fact, some of the figures unveiled recently are quite simply stunning. Stunningly good as far as growth in Singapore is concerned, stunningly bad as far as inflation in Argentina is concerned. Meanwhile, news on the US housing market should be enough to shake [...]
All change, please: China’s trade goes into reverse
14 Apr 2010 [0 Comments | 197 views]
In March this year, something really odd happened. China posted a trade deficit. It was the first time this had happened in six years. There’s more news on the yuan–dollar row too, and then Uncle Sam chipped in with news on US trade. Exports over the last year to China rose 24.3 per cent, but [...]
