In The News

Biggest Protests in 20 years Sweep Brazil

Todd Benson, Asher Levine July 3, 2013
"The people have awakened" is one slogan of the massive demonstrations underway in Brazil. About 200,000 demonstrators marched through the streets of Brazil's biggest cities, organized mostly through social media campaigns. Corruption, poor public services, rising prices and lackluster growth during the past two years are among the widespread complaints. While billions are spent on...

Get Ready for the Next China

Stephen S. Roach July 2, 2013
Foreign investors and governments must prepare to deal with China's new economic goals. Under new leaders, China is shifting toward a stable consumer-led growth model, away from production and rapid growth, writes Stephen S. Roach, Yale professor, author and former chairman of Morgan Stanley Asia. New policies emphasize discipline in politics and finance. Also, the country’s service sector...

Climate Change and Financial Instability Seen as Top Global Threats

June 28, 2013
The Pew Research Center survey assessed global attitudes in 39 nations and identified climate change seen as a threat by 54 percent, financial stability by 52 percent, Islamic extremism by 49 percent and nuclear programs in North Korea and Iran by less than 40 percent of more than 37,000 respondents. Concern about climate change was highest in Latin America at 65 percent. Top concerns of...

Cheap Food Seen as Bygone Era by FAO and OECD

Rudy Ruitenberg June 25, 2013
The outlook for agriculture through 2022, from the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development and the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization, indicates that a period of low prices for farm goods is over. High energy prices, falling growth in productivity and rising demand is already leading to higher prices. Even as population growth slows in the next decade, the world is predicted to...

Chinese Checkers

Nayan Chanda June 24, 2013
China, with double-digit growth in recent years, could be on track to becoming the world’s largest economy. But rising wages, possible real estate bubble and tight credit may hamper growth. The nation’s big customers, the US and the EU, have their own debt issues, and the domestic market cannot match their spending. Foreign and even Chinese investors worry about an authoritarian system that can...

Global Sell-off Shows Fed Reach Beyond the US

Nathaniel Popper June 21, 2013
The activities of world’s central banks are intertwined in complex ways that are more apparent. The Federal Reserve, the US central bank, reviews international variables before setting policy and recognizes that its actions affect growth and inflation in foreign economies. Overseeing the largest economy while actively intervening on economic matters, the Federal Reserve is in the position that...

Latin America Reacts to Changes in Fed Spending

Krista Hughes June 20, 2013
Latin America has outperformed other emerging markets in attracting foreign investment. However, the significant liquidity of Latin American currencies means that Latin America is the “high beta,” abruptly reacting to what is happening in the US economy, suggests Krista Hughes for Reuters. The mere hint of reduced spending from the US Federal Reserve, signaling a potential rise in interest rates...