The onset of the currency wars has commenced. All around the world, nations are lowering the value of their money. First Japan, followed by the United States and the United Kingdom have all engaged in quantitative easing (QE) and the lowering of interest rates to historic lows. In the last two weeks the Euro plunged in value against the dollar to a 11 year low with the onset of QE there, after first lowering the rates of interest to negative levels in […]
The Arrival Of Quantitative Easing In Europe
Europe will begin a full fledged version of quantitative easing beginning in March of this year. To many in the markets it comes as a relief. They have allowed themselves to believe that expanding the money supply through the purchasing of government debt, will bring back growth to the staggering continent. The hope is that this infusion of new money will stimulate the economy enough, to allow a return of the lost prosperity of a bygone era. The policy makers of Europe […]
What Will Happen To Gold And Silver In 2015
Investors in gold and silver want to know if the new year will see a return of a bull market in precious commodities. The recent interest and pick up in price for gold and silver are the result of individuals using these two metals in particular, as a hedge against market uncertainty. Whether the recent trend will continue, depends on the level of growth in the global economy and whether there will be rising tensions, in a number of flash points around […]
Solar Power: A Major Growth Industry In Africa
Africa south of the Sahara Desert has well over 900 million people. Yet this extensively large region, consumes less electricity than most American states or the smallest countries in Europe. Solar power could well be the answer for a continent that has not undergone the energy revolution of the 20th century. Large swaths of the population still rely on power sources from the 19th century. This lack of investment in infrastructure, is one reason why this area of the world, continues to […]
Economic Reforms And Investment Are Accelerating In Indonesia
Making an investment in Indonesia will gain one access to the largest domestic market in Southeast Asia. The assets of the country include lower overall labor costs, political stability and a growing middle class. Total foreign investment in 2013 reached $23.2 billion USD (United States Dollar). As in 2011 and 2012 over 50% of the money went toward foreign direct investment. This included plant, equipment and other ventures. The other portion went mostly for portfolio investment, which included purchases of equity and […]
The Great Recession Of 2016: The United States
The economic recovery in the United States will be celebrating its 6th birthday in June. Despite the claims of many so called experts, investors and politicians, there is no legislation that can be enacted that will repeal the business cycle. The Great Recession in the United States which helped spark the previous international economic slowdown, officially lasted from December 2007 to June of 2009. Despite the policies of quantitative easing and massive stimulative spending on the part of the American government, there […]
Europe: More Economic Trouble In 2015
European investors are facing a year of economic diminution and uncertainty. A number of underlining forces are working in tandem to bring about a declining consumer price index and a depreciating currency. The monetary leaders of Europe are now faced with the prospect of real deflation gripping the continent, for the first time in five years. This arrives as the Euro has already lost 14% in value against the American dollar during the last year. Consumer prices have dropped 0.2% on an annual […]
The Impact Of Plunging Oil Prices On The International Economy In 2015
International investors witnessed a further plunging in oil prices this week. The price of Brent oil dipped below $52.00 USD (United States Dollar) yesterday, indicating over a 4% additional decline. The cost for crude is now at a five and a half year low. Concerns about sluggish growth in Europe, East Asia and elsewhere are fueling investor concerns about a glut of oil in the international economy . Export leader Saudi Arabia, shows no sign of limiting supplies at this point. Financial […]
Investing In India: A Passage To Profitability
It is time for investors to consider an investment in India. The big impetus for change arrived with the election of Narendra Modi in May of 2014. The new Prime Minister Modi had put forth a business friendly agenda that went much further than the initial moves put in place during the last two years of the political opposition. Many multinationals are now considering an investment in India as a passage to profitability there is now a possibility. The year 2015 will […]
United States Recognition Of Cuba: The Impact On Investment
The United States government under President Obama decided to extend diplomatic recognition to Cuba this month. The controversy of whether this should be undertaken while the Cuban government is still listed as a sponsor of state terrorism will undoubtedly continue. The action does not actually lift the trade embargo placed on Cuba during the waning days of the Eisenhower Administration in 1960. At the time a total ban on American exports to Cuba was enacted. On humanitarian grounds, food and medicine were […]