China faces battle over market economy status
China's battle for recognition as a market economy that would help it avoid penalties from key trade partners has been thwarted, as a key clause in Beijing's deal to join…
Good governance and free market economy
In the current wave of liberalisation, de-regulation and privatisation, greater stress than ever before is being placed on the central role of markets and private sector as engines of growth.…
Spasms in UK mortgage market spell pain for homeowners, economy
Bedlam in Britain’s 1.5 trillion-pound ($1.9 trillion) mortgage market, fuelled by ructions in money markets, threatens to trigger a renewed slump in housing activity and financial pain for homeowners on…
Markets bracing for ‘no landing’ world economy scenario curb risk appetite
Markets, bracing for a “no landing” scenario where global economic growth is resilient and inflation stays higher for longer, are dialling back appetite for both risk assets and government debt.…
China’s markets clutch at economy reopening straws
Rumours of a possible end to stringent Covid-19 lockdowns have sent China’s stock markets flying this week despite the lack of any announced changes, showing how desperate investors are for…
It’s not the economy, stupid: stock markets soar to record highs
The record highs attained by Wall Street last week might come as welcome news for US President Donald Trump. But the booming stock markets will offer little solace to the…
Bond market flashing worry on economy, countering Fed view
The US Treasury yield curve is flashing warning signs on the economy, pointing to a less optimistic prediction for longer-term economic growth at the same time as Federal Reserve officials…
Issues in farm economy and related markets
‘Before the coronavirus outbreak, food insecurity was already a severe problem. More than 820 million people – one in every nine – do not have enough to eat. Of these,…
Economy versus reality
This week’s approval of another IMF tranche of $1.2 billion for Pakistan will hardly make a difference to where it matters the most – the plight of the country’s mainstream…
Forex policy and market jitters
The State Bank of Pakistan’s new restrictions on individual dollar purchases have triggered predictable debate within financial circles, business communities and ordinary households alike. While the central bank insists these…
