Economics

Calculator, charts, economic data illustration

Exploring the ways to trade surprise economic data

By GILES COGHLAN MAY’S inflation data surprised the financial markets. Initially predicted to fall to 8.4 percent, the figures came in far hotter than expected...
Mixed bank notes, pound, euro, dollar

IMF warns of debt ‘timebomb’ thanks to ‘cheap money’ borrowing policies

THE International Monetary Fund warns that low interest rates are encouraging companies to take on a level of debt that could become a “timebomb”. The...
Argentina flag with dollar bills

Argentina slaps controls on forex in bid to salvage peso

ARGENTINA has imposed capital controls to halt a slump in foreign currency reserves and save the peso. The central bank has set a five-day limit...
Adam Smith bust

How Adam Smith became a (surprising) hero to conservative economists

By Glory M Liu* PEOPLE like to fight over Adam Smith. To some, the Scottish philosopher is the patron saint of capitalism who wrote that...
Venezuela Flag

Venezuela’s cash crisis, coupled with blackouts, leaves country’s population in the...

VENEZUELA has the world’s largest oil reserves — and no money. Rampant inflation and depleted reserves of almost worthless bolivar banknotes have created a nightmare...
UNCTAD logo

Analytics key to African countries’ ability to share in services trade

UNCTAD-UNECA projects’ experts pool wisdom to grow regional economies and increase benefit from value chains AFRICA needs to step-up its analytics game to play a...
Bitcoin and dollars

Banking group’s Bitcoin block ‘won’t halt crypto trading’

Lloyds Banking Group has blocked credit card transactions for cryptocurrency purchases, but that lacks logic – and may even increase demand, say experts By HAL...
Bitcoin with credit card and POS terminal

Lloyds Banking Group shuts down all crypto credit card transactions

Are we witnessing the murder of Bitcoin? Knives are out for the biggest and (so far) bestest crypto on the block. HAL WILLIAMS looks...

UNCTAD: Investment – In Need of Direction

The global financial crisis has impacted heavily on trade: annual trade expansion over the past three years has averaged a tepid 3% annually, compared...

Tata Steel: Perseverance & Excellence

Blame it on Ayn Rand. She – of Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead fame – provided Sajid Savid with an ideological backbone. Secretary for...