
From Zorro to Zombie: the rise and fall of the microcredit movement
Dec 22, 2015 06:14 am UTC| Insights & Views Economy
Thirty years ago, the international development community was in a state of high excitement. The perfect market-affirming solution to poverty in developing countries had apparently been found. Microcredit, also known as...

Fiscal policy focus moving from budgetary spending to off-budget activity in South Korea
Dec 22, 2015 00:41 am UTC| Commentary Economy
The government released a report detailing its 2016 policy direction, which was generally in line with the view that the government will rely more on off-budget activity to support the economy, with fiscal stimulus via...

US manufacturing still struggling
Dec 21, 2015 23:39 pm UTC| Commentary Economy
The November IP report confirmed that manufacturing continues to underperform the overall economy. Total manufacturing output was flat in November and non-auto output increased 0.1% samr. This leaves total manufacturing up...
Hungary's economy steams ahead but slowdown expected next year
Dec 21, 2015 22:47 pm UTC| Commentary Economy
Hungarys growth expanded 0.6% in Q3, slightly faster than expectations. The near-term economic outlook is also fairly strong with industrial production growing almost 13% y/y in October, one of the highest growth rates in...
Brazil's economic contraction bottoming out
Dec 21, 2015 22:09 pm UTC| Commentary Economy
Although the recession deepened further in Q3, with real GDP falling by 6.18% compared with 4.47% in Q2, leading indicators suggest that the downturn is bottoming out in Q4: Business confidence improved in November albeit...
India continues to be the main positive story within the emerging market universe
Dec 21, 2015 21:54 pm UTC| Commentary Economy
Indias GDP growth has averaged 7.3% in 2015 (higher than Chinese growth around 7%) and industrial production rose 10% y/y in October. India continues to be well positioned for robust growth in 2016 and 2017. (1) It is...
Clouds over Spain just got darker
Dec 21, 2015 16:42 pm UTC| Politics Economy
While Spains ruling PP is set to remain the largest party, it saw its support declined compared to the 2011 vote. The results do not leave a positive picture for government formation options. After tough negotiations and...