31 August 2023 In a recent blog, I outlined the risk of near-term liquidity problems in certain African nations. And, while I suggested a region-wide debt crisis can be averted, it's important to put the issue in a broader context. In particular, as a result of the rise in regional debt levels (both domestic and [...]
30 June 2023 I love Spain: the food, wine, sun, landscape, art, architecture, and the unmistakable roar of happy people cascading into the streeets from busy bodegas! Indeed, I just returned from trendy Valencia where the post-Covid atmosphere is bouyant. The 1992 Maastricht treaty -- outlining a path towards the introduction of the Euro in [...]
28 May 2023 The IMF's recently released global forecast highlights that Asia will be the only region to experience stronger economic growth this year relative to 2022. Likewise, the Asian economy will outperform all other regions both this year and in 2024 (Chart above). Indeed, the following Chart indicates that Asia will account for over [...]
24 February 2023 The end of China's lockdown, signs global inflation is peaking, and the slower pace of US interest rate hikes have led investors to embrace the prospect of an economic "soft landing". Financial market optimism has been particularly evident in Europe. Indeed, collapsing natural gas prices have led to a 10% rally in [...]