Is inflation good for economic growth?
After settling at 3.9% in July 2011 the yearly rate of growth of the consumer price index (CPI) fell to 1.6% by January this…
Is bad weather the key cause behind weak US economic data?
Some key US economic data shows visible weakening. The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo sentiment index slumped to 46 in February from 56…
Why some emerging markets are heading for a bust
In countries such as Turkey and Argentina a tighter stance implemented by central banks has set in motion an economic bust. In Turkey the…
Bubbles and central banks – is there a connection?
According to the popular way of thinking, bubbles are an important cause of economic recessions. The main question posed by experts is how one…
Fed’s tightening and economic activity
On September 17-18 US central bank policy makers are likely to decide on the reduction in their monthly purchases of bonds by between $10…
Can quantitative easing lift economic growth?
Some commentators such as Mohamed El-Erian, the chief executive officer of Pacific Investment Management (PIMCO), are of the view that the Federal Reserve’s policy…
Fed tightens control over banks activities
On Tuesday July 2, US central bank policy makers voted in favour of the US version of the global bank rules known as the…
Can the Fed tighten its stance without much side-effect?
According to most commentators, reducing monetary stimulus and winding down the balance sheet of the Fed without major economic disruptions is going to be…
Does the United States owe a lot to Bernanke?
In his Financial Times article on June 4th the FT columnist Martin Wolf praised Ben Bernanke for saving the US economy and the world…
Is Japan heading for another lost decade?
Recently various commentators have been warning the Euro-zone to boost its stimulus policies in order to avoid a Japanese-style lost decade. By this they…