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Posts tagged ‘china’

Feb 1

jim mccaughan's picture

Is Asia Leading the Global Recovery?

With the United States stumbling a bit in this week’s announcement of fourth-quarter GDP, it might be an appropriate time to ask the question, is it Asia that’s leading this global recovery? Generally, I’d agree with an assertion that Asia, particularly China, is somewhat driving the global economic recovery. While U.S. GDP was set back by some one-off issues with defense spending, China saw quarter-on-quarter growth of around 2%, driven by up-ticks in industrial output and a boost in exports late in the year. The smaller Asian economies are also doing very well, but none swings the lead that China does.

When contemplating Asia, it’s important to remember that the economic story in Asia, and above all in China, was one of a real estate and infrastructure boom; that is, until two or three years ago. Read more

Sep 28

robin anderson

Confidence versus Happiness versus the Economy

There’s been quite a bit of talk about consumer confidence recently. Just today, the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan survey of U.S. consumer confidence showed a move from 74.3 in August to 78.3 in September. Earlier in the week, the Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index posted at 70.3, up from August’s reading of 61.3. Surveys like these are seen as leading indicators for economic conditions. It’s sort of a demand-driven idea; the more positive consumers are about the economic prospects of the country, the more willing they will be to spend money on appliances, cars, houses, you name it. So, positive sentiment can presage an economic expansion. But what does that positive economic growth give back to consumers?

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