Wall Street Journal (June 21)
In a move that “could add to the unease plaguing global markets,” Moody’s “downgraded more than a dozen global banks, including the five largest U.S. banks with global trading arms, to reflect declining profitability in an industry that is being rocked by soft economic growth, tougher regulations and nervous investors.”
New York Times (May 24)
“With Greece in meltdown, raising fears of cascading bank insolvencies and deepening recession, Europe’s leaders failed again this week to agree on the ambitious initiatives needed to quell the crisis.” If they don’t quickly wise up and promote growth, “the consequences could be disastrous — for their countries and the rest of the world.”
Institutional Investor (March 8, 2012)
“Euro zone crisis? What crisis? Top European executives, after putting their businesses on sound footing, are focused on longer-term challenges.” As examples, Institutional Investor points to Unilever and BASF, where effective management is successfully leading back to growth. BASF was also singled out by both buy and sell side analysts for having the best IR department.
“Euro zone crisis? What crisis? Top European executives, after putting their businesses on sound footing, are focused on longer-term challenges.” As examples, Institutional Investor points to Unilever and BASF, where effective management is successfully leading back to growth. BASF was also singled out by both buy and sell side analysts for having the best IR department.
Financial Times (December 11)
Congress should extend the payroll tax cut. “US growth is too fragile at this stage to risk fiscal contraction. If the payroll cut expires, it would withdraw almost $1,000 from the average middle-class pay packet.” Unemployment benefits should also be extended. Congress should “not punish those who are trying to find work.”
Tags: Congress, Growth, Payroll tax, U.S., Unemployment benefits
New York Times (December 6)
The latest Merkozy solution demanding Euro nations work to balance budgets or face sanctions is “the wrong fix…. The Franco-German recipe will exacerbate Europe’s fundamental problem: lack of growth.”
Wall Street Journal (November 30)
Germany is unfairly getting blamed for the Eurozone crisis. “The reality is that the Germans—along with the Dutch and the Finns—are the rare Europeans who understand that saving the euro requires more than a blank check. It requires a new political commitment to better economic policy…. Money alone won’t solve Europe’s more fundamental debt and growth problem.”
Germany is unfairly getting blamed for the Eurozone crisis. “The reality is that the Germans—along with the Dutch and the Finns—are the rare Europeans who understand that saving the euro requires more than a blank check. It requires a new political commitment to better economic policy…. Money alone won’t solve Europe’s more fundamental debt and growth problem.”
The Economist (November 19)The Economist (November 19)
Japan’s lost decades are not so bad when seen in light of a decreasing population. “In aggregate, Japan’s economy grew at half the pace of America’s between 2001 and 2010. Yet if judged by growth in GDP per person over the same period, then Japan has outperformed America and the euro zone.”
Japan’s lost decades are not so bad when seen in light of a decreasing population. “In aggregate, Japan’s economy grew at half the pace of America’s between 2001 and 2010. Yet if judged by growth in GDP per person over the same period, then Japan has outperformed America and the euro zone.”
Tags: GDP, Growth, Japan, Lost decades, Population, U.S.
Institutional Investor (November 1)
Iceland has bounced back faster than expected. Its top three banks collapsed in 2008, leaving the country in shambles. “But Iceland fought back—and won.” While its economy remains fragile, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) now predicts Iceland will grow by 3% in 2012. “If there’s a lesson, it’s …that Iceland is in better shape than Ireland partly because it let its banks go bust.”
The Economist (October 21)
By the end of October, the world’s population will reach 7 billion, just 12 years after hitting 6 billion in 1999. Would policies supporting slower population growth help solve pressing environmental problems? Probably not. “The populations that are rising fastest contribute very little to climate change. The poorest half of the world produces 7% of carbon emissions. The richest 7% produces half the carbon. So the problem lies in countries like China, America and Europe, which all have stable populations. Moderating fertility in Africa might boost the economy or help stressed local environments. But it would not solve global problems.”
Tags: 7 billion, Emissions, Environment, Growth, Population
New York Times (September 28)
“The world has barely dug out of recession and the global economy is again slowing dangerously. Most leaders seem eager to make things even worse.” China should let its currency rise. The U.S., Germany, Britain and other rich countries should be spending to spur growth. Instead, everyone seems to be doing exactly the wrong thing, which “is what caused the Great Depression.”
“The world has barely dug out of recession and the global economy is again slowing dangerously. Most leaders seem eager to make things even worse.” China should let its currency rise. The U.S., Germany, Britain and other rich countries should be spending to spur growth. Instead, everyone seems to be doing exactly the wrong thing, which “is what caused the Great Depression.”
Tags: Currency, Economy, Great Depression, Growth, Spending
