China’s debt may be far greater than commonly believed
At first glance, China’s national debt burden of less than 50% of GDP appears manageable, but the figure that includes all sources is comparable to — or worse than — that of the US during […]
Financial & Economic News
Legal action in UK may lead to cancellation of Brexit
A wave of lawsuits combined into one may keep the UK from exiting the EU without a vote in Parliament. That vote could ultimately prevent the government from invoking Article 50, the necessary first step […]
China’s exports fell 4.4% on-year, while imports fell 12.5%
China’s exports and imports fell more than expected in July, making a rocky start for the third quarter and suggesting global demand remains weak in the aftermath of Britain’s decision to leave the EU. Exports […]
Most ETFs launched this year are dominated in equities
Fund managers have brought 139 exchange-traded funds to the US retail market this year, down from 160 in the same period last year, but equities remain the focus. This year, 40% of launches invest in […]
Current-account surplus surges in Japan by 31.3%, largest since 2007
Japan’s current-account surplus soared 31.3% in the first six months of 2016 to reach 10.63 trillion yen, the biggest total since the second half of 2007. The increase is fueled by rising revenue from foreign […]
The Bank of England’s plan to purchase £70 billion in bonds
The Bank of England’s plan to purchase £70 billion in bonds, including £10 billion in investment-grade corporate bonds, has had a positive effect, with A-rated sterling corporate-bond spreads falling to 1.38 percentage points. The central […]
Fear index (VIX) drops to 2-year low
The CBOE Volatility Index, a so-called fear gauge, plummeted Friday to a two-year low and came close to some of the lowest readings in the past five years. The index reached its lowest level in […]
German factories slammed: Factory orders contracted by 3.1% YoY
German factories slammed on the brakes in June, hit hard by business from within the eurozone. Factory orders contracted by 3.1% on the year, an even sharper decline than the 1.5% contraction that economists had […]
Indonesia’s economy grew faster-than-expected: 5.18% in Q2
Indonesia’s economy grew a faster-than-expected 5.18% in the second quarter from a year earlier, thanks to higher commodity prices and stronger consumption. Household spending, which accounts for more than half of GDP, rose 5.04% on […]