Economy

German economy stalls as leaders meet

As the markets recover from the downgrade of America’s long-term debt, attention has turned back to the Old World. European leaders are debating the usefulness of a common euro-bond as a means of propping up the increasingly rickety monetary union. The key question is over Eurobonds is who will be left holding the bag on […]

By Wire services |August 16, 2011

2 min read

Global economy in new danger zone: World Bank

The world economy is entering a new “danger zone” with the recent financial market turbulence eroding investor confidence, according to Robert Zoellick, president, World Bank. “It will be important that the primary economic actors take steps, both short and long term, to restore that,” Zoellick told reporters Sunday after addressing the Asia Society in Sydney, […]

By Staff |August 15, 2011

1 min read

Debt downgrade threatens muni bonds

Having narrowly escaped the U.S. debt default blow, the holders of municipal and state bonds were only beginning to breathe easy when the credit rating downgrade rekindled their worst fears. A haircut for these investors may now be inescapable as state and local governments brace for unprecedented budgetary challenges. There could be some blowback on […]

By Vikram Barhat |August 11, 2011

3 min read

Fed to leave rates “near zero” until 2013

There was no mention of a third round of quantitative easing, but the Federal Open Market Committee has announced it will leave interest rates near zero until at least mid-2013. The Federal Reserve has held rates at just 25 basis points since December 2008. Until today, the Fed had said it would keep it low […]

By Staff |August 9, 2011

2 min read