After nearly three years of falling home sales, plummeting house prices and moribund construction activity, 2009 saw signs of stabilisation and recovery in the US housing market. Key housing market …
Continue reading “Back to Balance: What’s Next For the US Housing Market?”
As we emerge from the doldrums of recession, it is easy to remain fixated on all the near-term challenges facing the global economy such as balance sheet repair and fiscal …
Continue reading “The Global Economy of Tomorrow: Better, Stronger, Faster”
Gold, which some would call the original currency, has been much in the headlines after soaring above US$1000/troy ounce in September. India bought 200 tons of the precious metal last …
There are various forces shaping the global food landscape. What major challenges can be expected from this evidence? We summarise below the major issues surrounding global food security in the …
The slowdown in the commodity price cycle predicted by many analysts for “after the Beijing Olympic Games” did indeed take place and, in just a few months, turned into a …
Continue reading “Steel: The End of the Commodities Super Cycle”
Economic and financial commentary often focuses on BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) FX reserve accumulation. BRIC outward foreign direct investment typically attracts less attention. While BRIC FDI (foreign direct …
Continue reading “BRIC Outward FDI – the Dragon Will Outpace the Jaguar, the Tiger and the Bear”
Introduction The discussion about a “reset” of US-Russia relations has moved into the spotlight since the Obama administration took office in January. Among the main topics of interest are nuclear …
As the economic crisis unfolds, some argue that customs duties are much less likely to be increased today than was the case during the Great Depression of 1929-1933. The general …
Continue reading “Tariff Race in the 1930s – Subsidy Race Today?”