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Amanda Anna G

Macroeconomic challenges no longer constitute risks - Finance Ministry - The Malta Inde... - 2 views

www.independent.com.mt/...ks-finance-ministry-4159471616

macroeconomic-activity

shared by Amanda Anna G on 08 Mar 14 - No Cached
  • The Ministry for Finance notes with satisfaction that the European Commission considers that, compared to the last year, the macroeconomic challenges in Malta no longer constitute macroeconomic risks.
  • “the macroeconomic challenges in Malta no longer constitute substantial macroeconomic risks and are no longer identified as imbalances in the sense of the Macroeconomic Imbalance Procedure (MIP). It further notes that “risks to the sustainability of private and public sector debt and the stability of the financial sector appear contained. “
  • The Ministry also welcomes the Commission’s conclusions that “as regards public finances, Malta is expected to meet its nominal deficit targets in 2013 and 2014.”
  • ...3 more annotations...
  • “the housing market has stabilised and thus risks arising from over-exposure to property are limited”; that “private debt is on the decrease”; that “the corporate deleveraging is taking place in an orderly manner and credit market pressures are limited.”
  • “trade performance has been positive” and that “the current account balance is in surplus." In particular the Commission also noted that "the export performance of the Maltese economy has been successful".
  • “The report, unlike the one published last year, is confirming that across various fronts, the Maltese economy and public finances are getting in good shape and are meeting the ambitious targets set by the Maltese Government,”
  • Amanda Anna G on 08 Mar 14
     
    This article is about the economy in Malta. The macroeconomic challenges Malta have been facing are now no longer risks and imbalances in the economy. This is due to, among others, that the housing market has stabilized and the private dept is on the decrease. 
Pietro AA

Analysis: Energy costs keep Japan's focus on nuclear, despite risks and use of renewabl... - 0 views

www.foxnews.com/...-nuclear-despite-risks-and-use

scarcity Opportunity Cost energy risks japan

shared by Pietro AA on 16 Sep 13 - No Cached
    • Pietro AA
      Pietro AA on 16 Sep 13
       
      Other scarse vaariables introduced: time and technology
    • Pietro AA
      Pietro AA on 16 Sep 13
       
      safety is a desire of most men and it is also not infitite therefore it is scarse.
  • ctions take about six months for each reactor, and obtaining con
  • ...19 more annotations...
    • Pietro AA
      Pietro AA on 16 Sep 13
       
      a conflict between the scarsity of safety and scarsity of energy
    • Pietro AA
      Pietro AA on 16 Sep 13
       
      a conflict between the scarsity of safety and scarsity of energy
  • Energy costs keep Japan's focus on nuclear, despite risks and use of renewables
  • other plants remained closed for intensified safety checks
  • The issue is cost, and to a lesser extent, concern over a resurgence in climate-changing carbon emissions due to increased use of coal and oil to generate power. Clean energy still only accounts for 10 percent of total consumption — most of it hydropower. Much of the new capacity approved has yet to come online.
  • nuclear power remains essential, even with a surge in generation capacity from solar, wind and other renewable sources, and that the world's No. 3 economy cannot afford the mounting costs from importing gas and oil.
  • Japan has managed to avoid power rationing and blackouts. Industries have moved aggressively to avoid disruptions by installing backup generators and shifting to new sources, such as solar power.
  • households no
  • paying 30 percent more for electricity than before, with more rate hikes to come.
  • prompted a rethink of plans to raise nuclear capacity from one-third to over half of total demand.
  • Reliance on imported oil and gas has surged from about 60 percent of energy consumption to about 85 percent.
  • The recent weakening of the Japanese yen has added to the burden on the economy from oil and gas imports.
  • Abe and others in favor of resuming nuclear power contend that renewable energy is too expensive and unreliable — wind doesn't always blow, the sun doesn't always shine.
  • Apart from those issues, national security requires that Japan retain some self-sufficiency
  • Local communities are divided: many have relied heavily on nuclear plants for jobs and tax revenues, but worry over potential risks.
  • hat there's a huge opportunity in power
  • We're also seeing radical efficiency gains.
  • he disposal and security of nuclear waste are issues yet to be resolved.
  • For now, however, it appears any phase-out of nuclear power will be very gradual.
  • "In the long term if we can create new resources that are more efficient than the current oil-based system, then we can rely less on nuclear power, that's quite possible," Adachi said. "But it will take quite a long time."
  • Pietro AA on 16 Sep 13
     
    This article shows how, since the meltdown of the Fukushima plant in 2011, the "want" of security (which is scarce) increased and gave energy problems to the country (energy is one of the most important scarce resources . Japan finds itself making decisions limited by the scarcity of energy, safety, time and technology. Should it take risks and stop spending money? Should it keep everybody safe and just go for the hydrocarbur plants? Should it simply invest on renewable energy plants? Should it take time and reaserch   Pietro
Haydn W

IMF warns UK of lingering housing and mortgage market risks - Business News - Business ... - 3 views

www.standard.co.uk/...gage-market-risks-9780019.html

Supply-Side London UK Housing

shared by Haydn W on 07 Oct 14 - No Cached
  • IMF warns UK of lingering housing and mortgage market risks
  • The UK faces lingering risks from housing and mortgage markets despite remaining on track for the fastest growth among the world’s leading economies this year, the International Monetary Fund said today.
  • has pencilled in growth of 3.2% this year — unchanged from its last July update despite a slew of downgrades for several members of the stagnating eurozone.
  • ...8 more annotations...
  • This is the highest rate forecast among advanced economies, although the IMF has trimmed global forecasts amid fears over a “weak and uneven” recovery in Europe and parts of Asia.
  • The body, led by Christine Lagarde, said the “US and the UK in particular are leaving the financial crisis behind”
  • The Bank of England has identified the housing market as a “blinking warning light” on the economy’s dashboard following the introduction of the Help to Buy scheme last year
  • In June it introduced limits on high loan-to-income home loans to prevent borrowers over-extending themselves, while tighter mortgage lending criteria are slowing runaway prices.
  • The Bank’s latest credit conditions survey found a “significant” fall in the availability of home loans in the past three months after eight successive quarters of expansion.
  • The IMF also warned that more measures such as tax incentives and freeing up land were necessary to improve the rate of housebuilding and keep a lid on runaway house prices.
  • “Supply-side measures are crucial to safeguard housing affordability and mitigate financial stability risks,” it added.
  • Household debt levels remain high at 140% of GDP and, if the Bank’s limits on the lending market fail to gain traction, it may be forced to raise interest rates instead
  • Haydn W on 07 Oct 14
     
    This article from the London Evening Standard details how the IMF have warned the UK government over remaining household debt and the dangers it poses to the economy. The IMF have also called for 'supply side measures... to safeguard housing affordability' - a growing problem in both London and the UK as a whole.
Haydn W

The return of the US dollar | Mohamed El-Erian | Business | theguardian.com - 4 views

www.theguardian.com/...d-el-erian-return-of-us-dollar

shared by Haydn W on 18 Nov 14 - No Cached
  • The return of the US dollar The resurgence of the US currency could be the first promising step in steering the world economy away from crisis
  • The US dollar is on the move. In the last four months alone, it has soared by more than 7% compared with a basket of more than a dozen global currencies, and by even more against the euro and the Japanese yen.
  • Two major factors are currently working in the dollar’s favour
  • ...11 more annotations...
  • Second, after a period of alignment, the monetary policies of these three large and systemically important economies are diverging, taking the world economy from a multi-speed trajectory to a multi-track one.
  • First, the United States is consistently outperforming Europe and Japan in terms of economic growth and dynamism – and will likely continue to do so – owing not only to its economic flexibility and entrepreneurial energy, but also to its more decisive policy action since the start of the global financial crisis.
  • With higher US market interest rates attracting additional capital inflows and pushing the dollar even higher, the currency’s revaluation would appear to be just what the doctor ordered when it comes to catalysing a long-awaited global rebalancing – one that promotes stronger growth and mitigates deflation risk in Europe and Japan.
  • ECB President Mario Draghi signalled a willingness to expand his institution’s balance sheet by a massive €1 trillion ($1.25 trillion).
  • Furthermore, sudden large currency moves tend to translate into financial-market instability.
  • There is also the risk that, given the role of the ECB and the Bank of Japan in shaping their currencies’ performance, such a shift could be characterized as a “currency war” in the US Congress, prompting a retaliatory policy response.
  • Today, many of these countries have adopted more flexible exchange-rate regimes, and quite a few retain adequate reserve holdings.
  • an appreciating dollar improves the price competitiveness of European and Japanese companies in the US and other markets
  • But a new issue risks bringing about a similarly problematic outcome: By repeatedly repressing financial-market volatility over the last few years, central-bank policies have inadvertently encouraged excessive risk-taking, which has pushed many financial-asset prices higher than economic fundamentals warrant.
  • This is not to say that the currency re-alignment that is currently underway is necessarily a problematic development; on the contrary, it has the potential to boost the global economy by supporting the recovery of some of its most challenged components. But the only way to take advantage of the re-alignment’s benefits, without experiencing serious economic disruptions and financial-market volatility, is to introduce complementary growth-enhancing policy adjustments, such as accelerating structural reforms, balancing aggregate demand, and reducing or eliminating debt overhangs.
  • The US dollar’s resurgence, while promising, is only a first step. It is up to governments to ensure that the ongoing currency re-alignment supports a balanced, stable, and sustainable economic recovery. Otherwise, they may find themselves again in the unpleasant business of mitigating financial instability.
  • Haydn W on 18 Nov 14
     
    This article details the so called resurgence of the US dollar, in terms of currency value. The currency itself has risen by around 7% against other currencies but Guardian economist Mohamed El-Erian warns that without the appropriate accompanying central bank policies, the rise of the dollar could cause further market volatility and at worst a new crash. El-Erian calls for governments to enact policy to support balance the current currency realignment. 
Amanda Anna G

Air pollution a leading cause of cancer - U.N. agency | Reuters - 0 views

www.reuters.com/...ollution-idUSBRE99G0BB20131017

externalities-of-production

shared by Amanda Anna G on 19 Nov 13 - No Cached
  • The air we breathe is laced with cancer-causing substances and is being officially classified as carcinogenic to humans, the World Health Organization's cancer agency said on Thursday.
  • Air pollution, mostly caused by transport, power generation, industrial or agricultural emissions and residential heating and cooking, is already known to raise risks for a wide range of illnesses including respiratory and heart diseases.
  • Research suggests that exposure levels have risen significantly in some parts of the world, particularly countries with large populations going through rapid industrialization, such as China.
  • Amanda Anna G on 19 Nov 13
     
    This article relates to externalities of production, since air pollution caused by industries and transport emissions is classified to be carcinogenic to humans and raises the risk for illness. The harmful effect the industries make, causes a negative externality upon the third party- the society breathing in polluted air, who indirectly receives an extra cost by the pollution.
  • Zuzanna G on 23 Nov 13
     
    This article states that air pollution is the main cause of cancer. In terms of economics, this means that it is an external cost of production received in consumption - as the process of recovering from cancer is very costly.
Marenne M

Youth unemployment: Generation Jobless at risk of becoming reality - 3 views

www.smh.com.au/...ng-reality-20140414-zquf3.html

unemployment

shared by Marenne M on 14 Apr 14 - No Cached
  • Marenne M on 14 Apr 14
     
    This article describes the unemployment among youths in Australia. It describes how no matter whether you have a degree or not, it is barely possible to find a job. This is due to a lack in demand for labor, which generally results from a lack of aggregate demand, meaning that the economy isn't operating at its full potential. Therefore there is a surplus of supply for a minimal demand of labor, leading to a decrease in wage cost and a decrease in chances of finding a job. This is why many people are recommending doing internships for free, because firms are no longer paying as much for the employees, but even these internships are hard to get.
Haydn W

Rightmove triples its estimate for housing price rises | Money | The Guardian - 0 views

www.theguardian.com/...-estimate-house-price-increase

The Guardian Money House Prices Scarcity Opportunity Cost UK Help to Buy

shared by Haydn W on 16 Sep 13 - No Cached
  • A leading estate agent has tripled its forecast for house price rises in 2013
  • Online estate agent Rightmove has raised its 2013 house price forecast for the third time this year to more than double the rate of inflation
  • The chain expects the average property price to increase by 6% this year
  • ...14 more annotations...
  • On Wednesday the Bank of England's financial policy committee
  • and what remedial measures
  • discuss the possibility of a property bubble
  • can be taken
  • The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics)
  • has called on the committee to cap annual house price growth at 5% a year.
  • Vince Cable, the business secretary, has warned of the risks of "returning to the problems of the last decade when housing got out of control,"
  • and said the chancellor should consider halting the second phase of his Help to Buy scheme.
  • The controversial mechanism, which
  • will allow people to buy homes worth up to £600,000 with a 5% deposit.
  • The Liberal Democrat president, Tim Farron, also attacked George Osborne's flagship scheme
  • The Rightmove report said the average asking price reached £245,495 in September, a 4.5% increase on the same month a year earlier.
  • Prices are rising fastest in greater London, up 8.2% over the past year to £493,748, and the West Midlands, up 6.8% to £195,429.
  • In London, prices are up in all boroughs except Barking & Dagenham (down 0.8% to £218,242). Prices in Croydon and Tower Hamlets rose by more than 2% in September alone.The most expensive homes are in Kensington and Chelsea, where the average home is priced at £2.16m – a 6.5% increase on last year.
  • Haydn W on 16 Sep 13
     
    This article explains how many organisations are forecasting a rise in house prices in my home country, the UK. It also details opposition by UK politicians to the Chancellor's 'Help to Buy' scheme which is supposed to help more people get on the property ladder. I believe this is related to what we are studying in Economics as it relates to houses being a scarce resource and how people have to choose between the increasing difficulties of getting on the property ladder and other living essentials in todays economy. (Opportunity Cost)
Daniel B

Scarcity of endangered species - 0 views

www.economist.com/...rs-rhinos-elephants-tigers-and

scarcity animals risks biodiversity

shared by Daniel B on 17 Sep 13 - No Cached
  • Daniel B on 17 Sep 13
     
    This article shows threats of hunting endangered species. The local community doesn't care about biodiversity because their aim is to gain profits from trading rare and luxury goods. Their actions are now limited, however, they still break laws. Scarcity of animals is always common topic.
Yassine G

Water Demand for Energy to Double by 2035 - 0 views

news.nationalgeographic.com/...d-for-energy-to-double-by-2035

demand energy double Scarcity risks resources

shared by Yassine G on 27 Sep 13 - No Cached
  • The amount of fresh water consumed for world energy production is on track to double within the next 25 years
  • the IEA calculates that water consumed for energy production would increase from 66 billion cubic meters (bcm) today to 135 bcm annually by 2035.
  • The agency estimates oil and natural gas production together would account for 10 percent of global energy-related water demand in 2035.
  • ...4 more annotations...
  • "It takes a great deal of energy to supply water, and a great deal of water to supply energy. With water stress spreading and intensifying around the globe, it's critical that policymakers not promote water-intensive energy options."
  • Fellow
  • IEA sees coal-powered electricity driving the greatest demand for water now and in the future
  • Steam-driven coal plants always have required large amounts of water
  • Yassine G on 27 Sep 13
     
    This article gives you an idea of how we get our energy today, and how we will be getting it in the upcoming years. It emphasizes mostly on water, as water is being used in Steam-driven coal plants in a large amount. These plants are increasing as they are more environmental friendly. This means that demand on water is increasing rapidly although water itself is a becoming very scarce. This High demand for this scarce very important natural resource raises many questions about how we would be able to survive in the long run.
Yassine G

The Looming Threat of Water Scarcity - 1 views

www.resilience.org/...oming-threat-of-water-scarcity

scarcity threat water resources risks

shared by Yassine G on 23 Sep 13 - No Cached
  • Some 1.2 billion people—almost a fifth of the world—live in areas of physical water scarcity, while another 1.6 billion face what can be called economic water shortage
  • Yassine G on 23 Sep 13
     
    This articles talks about how much people have to live with less amount of water than they need or, with no water at all in some cases. It also highlights the countries that use a lot of water and how they are using it. It also rises awareness about this global issue and its long and short-term impact on us. 
Clemente F

Mixed messages - 0 views

www.economist.com/...ch-europe-sinks-mixed-messages

demand risks economic crisis

shared by Clemente F on 28 Sep 13 - No Cached
  • Clemente F on 28 Sep 13
     
    This article talks about the market which was probably more affected by this crisis. The house markets. The article presents data through which it is clear that the demand for house's has fallen and therefore the prices went down a lot. The only country where the house market is still growing is London in which the demand is very high.
Daniel B

Five economic issues that have the RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan worried - 1 views

articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/...m-rajan-q4-slow-paced-recovery

shared by Daniel B on 25 Mar 14 - No Cached
  • Fiete M on 25 Mar 14
     
    This article talks about five important economical problems
  • Daniel B on 26 Mar 14
     
    ("Growth in 2013-14 is likely...) NEW DELHI: In its macroeconomic Review of the economy, the Reserve Bank of India has underlined various risks to a sustained recovery for the economy. RBI is of the opinion that a durable domestic recovery remains contingent on addressing persistent inflation and bottlenecks facing the mining and infrastructure sectors.
Haydn W

France's Fiscal Policy Targets Very Challenging Says IMF - NASDAQ.com - 0 views

www.nasdaq.com/...enging-says-imf-20140515-00278

Nasdaq France Fiscal Policy IMF

shared by Haydn W on 20 May 14 - No Cached
  • PARIS--French President Francois Hollande has chosen the right path to repair the country's economy and finances, but its fiscal targets are very challenging, the International Monetary Fund said Thursday.
  • At the start of the year, the socialist leader switched from a policy of tax increases to spending cuts to bring down the budget deficit.
  • The planned reduction in taxes mean that the cutbacks to spending relative to trend will need to be very large if public finances are to be brought back to balance
  • ...6 more annotations...
  • If the government delivers the EUR50 billion ($68.5 billion) of savings over 2015 to 2017 that would be "remarkable by historical standards," the IMF said.
  • data on Thursday showed the French economy remained weak at the start of this year, while Germany posted better-than-expected growth. France escaped the wider euro-zone recession that followed the bloc's debt crisis, but it has failed to post strong growth for the last two years and the government has repeatedly missed its targets for bringing down the deficit.
  • Mr. Hollande launched a Responsibility Pact, under which payroll taxes on businesses would be cut in an effort to boost investment and recruitment
  • The IMF said the measures in the Responsibility Pact would only slowly boost growth to around 1% this year and 1.5% in 2015. It also warned there are risks of a weaker rebound and that inflation would remain around 1% with the economy operating well below capacity.
  • The IMF said the European Central Bank--which indicated last week it may launch stimulus measures in June--could do more to help France meet its targets.
  • "More accommodative monetary conditions would help with the implementation of the fiscal program and bring forward the benefits of structural reforms," the fund said.
  • Haydn W on 20 May 14
     
    This article details France's success in it's road to recovery following the Eurozone sovereign debt crisis. This week the IMF has hailed president François Hollande's cutback path to repair the countries economy but commented that his targets may be 'very challenging.' This comes after the French government has delivered vast savings through austerity measures whilst retaining general stability despite the rise of far-right groups like The Front National. In my opinion for a country in the eurozone Hollande's France seems to be doing well for itself on the road to recovery and could set an example for other Eurozone countries, like Greece and Portugal.
Haydn W

What are multinationals doing to champion rights of millions trapped in modern-day slav... - 0 views

www.theguardian.com/...ations-compliance-human-rights

Multinational Corporations The Guardian Fair Trade Slavery

shared by Haydn W on 10 Mar 15 - No Cached
  • What are multinationals doing to champion rights of millions trapped in modern-day slavery?
  • With almost 21 million people working in forced labour conditions in the global economy, companies are being made to clean up their act
  • In a world of complex supply chains, migrant workers, sub-suppliers and a constant squeeze on costs, corporate leaders and their stakeholders are keenly aware of the risk of labour exploitation.
  • ...18 more annotations...
  • No industry or region is fully insulated from the social deficit which has emerged from the rise of the modern global economy.
  • Given the influence and impact that multinational corporations have, there is significant scope for corporate leaders to champion reform and action in this area.
  • However, the ILO estimates that 44% of those working in forced labour are also victims of trafficking (pdf).
  • The fight to eradicate the scourge of forced and child labour, sometimes referred to as modern-day slavery, has re-emerged as a defining issue in this century
  • The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that almost 21 million people are currently working in some form of forced labour, with 14.2 million in economic activities such as agriculture, construction, domestic work or manufacturing (pdf).
  • Beginning in California in 2012, following effective campaigning and lobbying to then-governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, mandatory corporate disclosure of a company’s non-financial activities has been on the rise.
  • From US President Obama’s executive order on trafficking and federal procurement, to the UK Modern Slavery Bill’s recent amendment to include supply chain disclosure provisions, to the EU’s adoption of a non-financial reporting directive, compulsory transparency around global corporate practices – including human rights, labour and social impacts and policies – is the latest tool being employed by legislators to place social expectations on corporations.
  • multinational corporations have grown significantly in terms of size, assets, resource control and revenue, not to mention societal influence.
  • This growth has been accompanied by growing expectations by society and government.
  • It is, of course, critical to recognise that the global corporate supply chain can be a force for good.
  • However, with their multiple levels of subcontracting, particularly throughout impoverished regions where labour laws are non-existent or not enforced, global labour and product supply chains also provide fertile ground for inhumane practices and working conditions.
  • The United States Department of Labor, for example, has produced a list of 136 goods produced in 74 countries using forced labour, child labour, or both.
  • Many leading companies already understand that their strategies shape the lives of millions. The most forward-thinking believe that business is an integral pillar of society and recognise that the people they rely on at home and abroad are central to building sustainable and lasting businesses.
  • And since mandatory disclosure requires all multinationals to take notice and action rather than just the industry leaders, this ultimately helps level the playing field.
  • Some believe supply chain transparency laws do not constitute any real change from the prevailing corporate-driven model for CSR, while others oppose increased regulation and oversight as unnecessary state intervention, believing that industry led efforts have the best chance of success.
  • it is a combination of corporate leadership and regulation in this area which will help ensure all market participants rise to acceptable standards.
  • The trend away from voluntary reports towards mandatory social reporting for global corporations is here to stay and may represent a first step towards increased legislative requirements
  • No matter where one believes the solutions lie, the ultimate goal is a global economy free from forced labour, trafficking and other abuses. For the millions of victims who go out into the world seeking work in the hope of building better lives, we must commit to seeking the best path forward.
Pip Dop

Exchange Rates Week 42 - 1 views

www.bbc.co.uk/...business-30016007

exchange rates

shared by Pip Dop on 16 Nov 14 - No Cached
  • Pip Dop on 16 Nov 14
     
    This article is about how some of the 6 largest banks have been fined £2.6 billion for manipulating exchange rates for a number of years. The case is a good indication of the importance of exchange rates and that well-known and supposedly well-respected banks are willing to take the risk of committing this crime.
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