Page 12 - Global Economy

US job openings unexpectedly rise by 101,000 to 9.026 million in December

Data for November was revised higher to show 8.925 million unfilled positions instead of the previously reported 8.79 million. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 8.75 mn job openings in Nov

Conflict in West Asia remains growing risk for energy markets: J P Morgan

Recent attacks on vessels in the Red Sea by Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen have disrupted international commerce on the shortest shipping route between Europe and Asia

US consumer confidence rises to hit two-year high mark in January

The Conference Board said on Tuesday that its consumer confidence index rose to 114.8 this month, the highest reading since December 2021

Europe's economic blahs drag on with zero growth at end of last year

Europe's economy failed to expand at the end of 2023, with the stagnation now lasting for more than a year amid higher energy prices, costlier credit and lagging growth in powerhouse Germany. Zero economic growth for the October-to-December period of last year follows a 0.1 per cent contraction in the three months before that, according to figures released on Tuesday by EU statistics agency Eurostat. That extends a miserable run of economic blahs: The 20 countries that use the euro currency have not shown significant growth since the third quarter of 2022, when the economy grew 0.5 per cent. And the start of this year looks no better, with indicators of business activity still flashing red for contraction. Plus, disruptions to shipping in the Red Sea have constricted global trade through the Suez Canal, a major route between Asia and Europe, surging shipping costs and threatening to boost inflation. The eurozone is still struggling to find a bottom, said Holger Schmieding, chief ..

Euro zone yields drop as markets price in ECB interest rate cut in April

Some analysts reckoned that soft economic growth and inflation figures from the euro zone, due from Wednesday, could add to expectations for more ECB monetary easing

TN economy to be worth $2.6 trn by FY48, needs $111 bn investment: Study

State must focus on industries and urbanisation to meet potential, it says

The American edge

How the US is leaving its competitors behind through a mix of resource intensity and economic nationalism

Oil settles at highest in nearly eight weeks on strong economic growth

Both benchmarks made weekly gains of more than 6%, marking their biggest weekly increase since the week ending Oct. 13 after the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza

US GDP expands 3.3% in Dec quarter, capping unexpectedly strong year

Gross domestic product increased at a 3.3% annualized rate, according to the government's preliminary estimate out Thursday. For all of 2023, the economy expanded 2.5%

Dollar up after US GDP data, euro falls after ECB president's remarks

Next week, the Fed is widely expected to stand pat but comments from Chair Jerome Powell will be intensely scrutinized to assess if the U.S. central bank is ready to start cutting interest rates

Saudi fund PIF gives initial price guidance for three-part bond: Report

PIF is the chosen vehicle of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, to drive the country's ambitious plan to wean itself off oil as it diversifies Saudi economy

Against expectations, Japan's budget expected to remain in Red in FY25

Japan's primary budget has largely been in deficit in the postwar era with the exception of the asset bubble period between 1986 and 1991

Global economy, trade normalising, but still not normal: Leaders at WEF

As the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting drew to a close, global leaders on Friday said the economy and trade appeared to be moving towards normalisation but were yet expected to be far from normal. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said the global trade was weak in 2023 before seeing an uptick in the last quarter. "We have been more optimistic about 2024, and I feel, we are moving towards normalisation, but I still don't see it returning to a normal fully," she said at a panel discussion on 'The global economic outlook' on the last day of the WEF Annual Meeting 2024 here. "There are so many uncertainties, and there also so many elections around the world, making it difficult to predict anything," she added. The WTO chief said she would still expect trade growth to be better than in 2024 unless a major war breaks out. She said there are some bright shoots on the trade front, and the trade has been the force for resilience. The WTO chief also said it is politically diffic

India takes investment spotlight while risks weigh in China: Suntory CEO

Japanese drinks maker Suntory is prioritising expansion in India while taking a cautious stance on business in China

Interest rates likely to fall but last mile very tricky: IMF Chief

IMF Chief Kristalina Georgieva on Thursday said interest rates should keep falling in 2024 but cautioned that there is no room for any policy error as the last mile is "very, very tricky". In an interview with the World Economic Forum here during its Annual Meeting 2024, she said that the central banks should not tighten prematurely because then they may lose the victory that is now in their hands. Expecting the positive trend to continue in 2024, she said, "The inflation rate is going down, on average." The International Monetary Fund's Managing Director, however, flagged the regional discrepancies still persisting around. "What we have now is a very diverse range. In some countries, the job is already done, and inflation is low enough for them to have an accommodative monetary policy. Brazil is one example. And in Asia, many countries did not have an inflation problem to start with," she said. "Central banks should not tighten prematurely because then they may lose the victory th

Indian economy has transformed in last one decade: Union ministers at WEF

Asserting that the Indian economy has undergone a significant transformation in the last one decade, three union ministers on Thursday said the country's economic growth now is not only high but also inclusive. Speaking at a session on 'Can India seize its moment' at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2024, union minister Hardeep Singh Puri said India has already seized the moment. "I say so because of the GDP growth we are clocking and the expectations from all quarters for a continued growth momentum," he said. Speaking in the same session, his Cabinet colleague Ashwini Vaishnaw said the last decade has seen a significant transformation in the Indian economy. "Major investments have happened in physical and digital infrastructure. That has had a huge impact on manufacturing and overall economic activity," he said. Smriti Irani, Minister for Women and Child Development, said she agrees with minister Puri that India has already seized the moment. She said India used to have

Davos 2024: Global alliance calls for inclusive access to advanced AI tech

World Economic Forum's AI Governance Alliance on Thursday said a global effort is needed to create equitable access to advanced artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence holds the potential to address global challenges, but it also poses risks of widening existing digital divides or creating new ones, the alliance said at the WEF Annual Meeting here. It also released a series of three new reports on advanced AI focussing on generative AI governance, unlocking its value and a framework for responsible AI development and deployment. The alliance brings together governments, businesses and experts to shape responsible AI development applications and governance, and to ensure equitable distribution and enhanced access to this path-departing technology worldwide. "The AI Governance Alliance is uniquely positioned to play a crucial role in furthering greater access to AI-related resources, thereby contributing to a more equitable and responsible AI ecosystem globally," said Cathy

US industrial production edges up to close out consistent sluggish year

The 0.1% advance in production at factories, mines and utilities followed no change a month earlier, Federal Reserve data showed Wednesday

86% Indian CEOs optimistic about country's economic growth: PwC survey

44% of global business leaders expressed a similar opinion about the economy in their countries or territories

US energy tax credit trading grows to as much as $9 bn, show study

This market has scaled faster than anyone anticipated, said Crux CEO and co-founder Alfred Johnson, a former Treasury Department staffer