
Most economic data published last week in the U.S. were positive. Nonetheless, the surprising and steep decline at the consumer sentiment index for March, to its lowest level in the last 15 months, led last Friday to a decrease in…
The Group of 20 finance chiefs sharpened their stance against governments trying to influence exchange rates. Two days of talks between G-20 finance ministers and central bankers ended last week with a commitment not to: “Target our exchange rates for…
The U.S. Congress voted last week in favor of a temporary increase of the U.S. “debt ceiling“, which will allow the government to continue to operate until May 19th. However, the debate about the future fiscal adjustments that has raged…
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) slightly lowered its forecast for global economic growth in 2013 to 3.5% (versus 3.6% forecast in October), and in 2014 to 4.1% (vs. 4.2% in October). The growth rate in 2012 stood at approximately 3.2%.…