Global Economy

Taking note of the Dow's progress, The Wall Street Journal recently called its performance "eerie ... calm ... too quiet." Indeed, if things keep going at the rate they have been going so far, we're on track for the stock markets to gain more than 50% this year. Dow 18,000, anyone?

Beware of the constant metaphors used to frame the world economy as if it were a war or zero-sum competition. Investors should remember that economies cooperate as much as they compete on the world stage. The current U.S. manufacturing boom is a case study.

As crude prices keep inching upward, the threat to both the U.S. and global economy is clear. While OPEC says don't blame us, the Interational Energy Agencys says: "This is a wake-up call to the oil-consuming countries and to the oil producers."

World markets got a boost this week from Japan's pledge to help overly indebted EU nations. What's behind Japan's move? Sure, the spirit of global cooperation is part of it. But much more significant is Tokyo's need to keep pace with Beijing in the influence game.

The recent tremors in the markets may have deep roots. As investors are becoming aware, there is growing evidence that the economy is slowing down in Europe, Asia and the U.S. Here's a look at some of the key data.

As investors sell on fears that China might raise interest rates, the country's top economic official says a plan to rein in double-digit growth in food prices is coming soon.

Here's news from the business world and other money matters to watch out for Monday (last updated at 8:14 a.m. Eastern time): IPO's Success Falls To New CEO: As General Motors speeds toward its public stock offering, newly named CEO Daniel Akerson will need to convince shareholders that the...

Investors perplexed by the market's anxiety over slower global economic growth should look no farther than the Baltic Dry Index, a closely watched measure of worldwide industrial demand that has fallen a whopping 50% since May.

President Obama's $2 billion booster shot for solar is surely good news for the green energy sector. But it may not be enough to counter the drag of a global economic stall that many see coming. Because when other energy prices fall, solar investment tends to dry up.

Many high-profile U.S. lawmakers and economists stridently advocate trade sanctions to pressure China into raising the value of the yuan. But such threats would likely only backfire -- with extremely dangerous fallout.