IMF Chief Criticizes 'Abrupt' U.S. Budget Cuts
IMF head Christine Lagarde criticized the U.S. government's budget policies as too tight Tuesday, in an appearance in Amsterdam that was interrupted by student protestors.
IMF
Stocks Slide from Near 5-Year Highs, and Investors Wait for Earnings
Stocks slumped Tuesday on Wall Street after the International Monetary Fund predicted weaker world economic growth and as investors waited for what they expected to be lower corporate earnings.
Greek Debt Crisis Fix May Cost Central Banks up to 100 Billion Euros
European policymakers are working on "last chance" options to bring Greece's debts down and keep it in the euro zone, with the ECB and national central banks looking at taking significant losses on the value of their bond holdings, officials said.
Business Leaders Cry for Urgent Action at G20 Meeting
Top business executives from about 350 companies are urging world leaders to show more urgency in addressing economic malaise or risk an even deeper global crisis than in 2008-2009.
OECD Warns of 'Severe Recession' Looming for Eurozone
The 17-country eurozone risks falling into a "severe recession," the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development warned on Tuesday, as it called on governments and Europe's central bank to act quickly to keep the slowdown from spreading.
IMF Sharply Downgrades U.S. Economic Outlook
The International Monetary Fund has sharply downgraded its outlook for the U.S. economy through 2012 because of weak growth and concern that Europe won't be able to solve its debt crisis.
The Financial Landscape: Is Italy the Next Greece?
As the eurozone sovereign debt crisis continues, focus is shifting to Italy as the next potential victim. But for worries closer to home, consider this: $37 billion in U.S. government benefits designed to help people through the downturn will expire by the end of 2011, leaving a hole twice that size in the economy.
Financial Landscape: DSK Case and Portugal Get Shakier
Portugal's economic health is at risk of collapse after Moody's cut its rating of the country's debt to junk status. Also at risk of collapse: The case against former IMF head Dominique Strauss-Kahn after The New York Post reported that his accuser was working two jobs -- as a maid and a prostitute.
Job Concerns Soar Among Employed, Unemployed
Employee concerns about layoffs have moved sharply higher according to a new survey by online jobs company Glassdoor. The percentage of those who are worried rose sharply to 22% in the second quarter - the highest since the third quarter of 2009.
The Financial Landscape: Gas Is Falling; Euro is Failing
Even before the International Energy Agency and the White House announced they were releasing billions of gallons or oil from fuel reserves, gas prices were falling. In the past two weeks, a gallon is down more than 11 cents. Also falling -- hopes for the euro, and the outlook for U.S. Treasury bonds.
The Financial Landscape: Big Pharma Wins; So Does Greece
It's a good day to be a drugmaker after two pro-business Supreme Court rulings favored the industry. And it's an even better day for those who are counting on the EU bailing out Greece. But the folks at Google may want to search for "defense lawyers" -- they may be seeing subpoenas shortly.
The Financial Landscape: Debt Woes, Hedge Fund Regs
Politicians in both Greece and the U.S. are struggling to find the common ground necessary to keep their governments from defaulting on their debts; QE2 hasn't ended yet, and already the Fed is considering QE3; and the SEC finally starts to regulate Wall Street's hedge funds.
The Financial Landscape: SEC Fines JPM Over CDOs
The news across the financial world is good for unions, which will find organizing a bit easier; adequate for Greece, which will find getting bailed out a bit easier, and bitter for JPMorgan which had to accept a $153.6 million SEC fine for misleading investors about a mortgage securities transaction.
Oil Falls as Worries About Europe Debt Crisis Continue
Concerns about the European financial crisis are still dragging down the price of oil. Benchmark crude for July delivery fell 32 cents to $92.69 per barrel in Monday midday trading. All eyes remain on Greece, which is trying to implement tough new austerity measures necessary to keep international aid coming.
The Financial Landscape: No Bailout Yet for Greece
At the start of a new week, all eyes are on Greece. E.U. finance ministers postponed agreement on a bailout until they see proof that its government will follow through on austerity measures. Meanwhile, some big U.S. firms are pushing for a generous tax holiday.
Financial Landscape: Banks Get No Love; OPEC Vs. OPEC
As a new week begins on Wall Street, nobody wants bank stocks, J.P. Morgan Chase hints at changes at the top, OPEC ministers tussle over crude, and airlines are in for some financial turbulence. In fact, the only good news is for France, which apparently won't lose the IMF over the DSK scandal.
IMF Lays Out the Challenges Ahead for Global Recovery
In its latest report, the IMF applauds national policymakers for stabilizing credit markets and putting the global economy on a recovery track. However, thorny problems remain -- including how to prevent overheating in emerging markets, and how to cut the U.S. deficit while lowering its unemployment rate.
Why Interest Rates Keep Rising, Despite QE2
The Federal Reserve is doling out billions to buy bonds in hopes of keeping interest rates low and stimulating the economy. However, several powerful forces are working against that low-rate strategy, ranging from investor psychology to global competition for capital.
Ireland's Credit Rating Downgraded 3 Notches by Fitch
Fitch Ratings has downgraded Ireland three notches from A to BBB , citing the costs of restructuring the Irish banking system, the country's weak growth prospects, and uncertainty about its economy due to the deepening financial crisis, despite the international economic assistance it received last month.
Ireland's Austerity Budget:
Not Likely to Avoid Default
Simply put, the losses Irish taxpayers will be forced to cover are larger than the nation's economy can support, even with the promised bailout. The EU and Irish political leadership's attempts to put a brave face on the crisis is no match for this crippling burden.
Investors May Need Better Reasons to Buy Stocks
Given all that transpired globally over the Thanksgiving weekend, the idea of holding risky assets like stocks should give investors heartburn. Perhaps a strong Black Friday weekend and holiday selling season will draw traders' gazes, but that's no sure shot.
Ireland Deal: Euro-Politics Plays a Major Role
Investors should stay focused on the dynamics within European politics that shaped the rescue. Other indebted economies -- like Spain, Portugal and Italy -- could find themselves in a similar situation, after all. And politics will again guide market moves.
Can China Control an Overheating Economy?
As if the Irish debt crisis weren't enough, investors are worried once again about rising inflation in China. But officials in Beijing are quietly building an impressive record of economic management, and some analysts are convinced they can meet the challenge.
Why Easing the Threat of Currency War Is So Difficult
Investors take note: Despite the calls for order, national policymakers are dealing with an increasingly haphazard scenario loaded with counterproductive results and unintended consequences. The result could be a slide toward protectionism.
Top Economists See Consumers Rebounding Faster
Forget the gloomy predictions: According to Richard Berner of Morgan Stanley, U.S. consumers are a year ahead of schedule in repairing their household balance sheets, giving them the ability to start spending again soon. And the head of the IMF was explicit Monday: A double dip is unlikely.