Brazil’s Q409 real GDP reading came in roughly in line with market expectations, posting a growth rate of 2.0% quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) seasonally adjusted – its highest reading in two years. Expectations of a robust headline number for Q4 have previously sent the interbank deposit (DI) futures market higher, amid expectations that the Banco Central do [Read more...]

With bad news out of Greece and other southern eurozone states casting a long shadow over much of Europe in recent months, finding relative value has become more difficult. Certainly, equities and currencies do not offer the same buying opportunities that they did during the Q209-Q309 rally.

However, a weak growth outlook on the back of [Read more...]

On this week’s podcast, we interview Business Monitor Chief Economist Tim Cooper, who gives his analysis on the global outlook for 2010. Highlighted themes include relative performance of emerging markets versus developed economies, the inflation outlook, potential for ‘double dips’ in the US and China, asset allocation strategies and the risks to recovery.

 

 Standard Podcast [11:36m]
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The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) hiked interest rates on Tuesday, from 3.00% to 3.25%, in what appears to have marked the first act of monetary tightening since the 25 basis point hike by the ECB back in August 2008.
I salute the RBA. Unlike the rest of the global central banking community, it has [Read more...]

Putting short-term views aside, Latin America’s Rahul Ghosh discusses the longer-term investment opportunities in the region. Prudent policies, commodity wealth and a promising consumer picture make this an attractive long-term play.

 

 Standard Podcast [10:18m]
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Business Monitor’s Emerging Europe team has been cautious regional financial markets over the past several weeks, holding a neutral position across asset classes in the company’s in-house market portfolio since June 12. The long equity positions the team had held through the end of March to early June continue to look shaky amid technical signs [Read more...]

In light of recent economic data from the US, Tim Cooper - Global Economic Strategist at Business Monitor International - suggests that the US recession may now be over. However, he believes that there is little to cheer about at this stage, as the recovery process will be very prolonged and slow.

 

 End Of The US Recession [10:33m]
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