Paying for infrastructure means using 'land value capture', but does it also mean more tax?

May 05, 2016 06:44 am UTC| Insights & Views Economy

With the federal government aiming to kick-start investment in urban infrastructure, pledging A$50 million of public money in the 2016 budget to look at alternative financing mechanisms, attention is turning to the idea of...

Climate Change Series

Budget repair, climate risks and global concerns all ignored in this conflicted effort

May 05, 2016 06:37 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics Economy

This Federal Budget was crafted with multiple, sometimes conflicting, objectives. To repair the budget, to neutralize some of the Oppositions initiatives, to address some tax pressure points-such as bracket creep, globally...

FX Hedging Strategy Series

FxWirePro: Deploy “Debit Call Spreads” for hedging on scepticism in USD/CHF’s major trend

May 04, 2016 13:19 pm UTC| Commentary Economy

Macroeconomic Fundamentals: Swiss manufacturing PMIs prints upbeat numbers at 54.2 against forecast at 53.6 and previous 53.2. This upbeat number has indicated the economic health and how businesses are likely to...

Taiwanese economy quite stagnant in Q1, TWD to modestly depreciate against USD over next year

May 03, 2016 06:52 am UTC| Commentary Economy

Taiwans recently released real GDP report shows that the economy grew at an annualized rate of 0.8% q/q in Q1; however, on a year-on-year basis, real GDP declined 0.8% in Q1. This was below consensus expectations. Taiwans...

To get more people to pay taxes, Indonesia should stamp out corruption by officials at the top

May 02, 2016 04:13 am UTC| Insights & Views Economy

Its vital for Indonesia, which is struggling to increase tax revenue, to stamp out corrupt activities wherever possible. A developing country with a population of 250 million, Indonesia is Southeast Asias biggest...

Norway records better than expected labor market figures, jobless rate falls to 3.1 pct in April

Apr 29, 2016 09:37 am UTC| Commentary Economy

Norway released its labor market figure today that came out better than central banks projection and overshadowed signs of continued zero growth, noted Nordea Bank. Registered joblessness including labor market measures...

Worrisome Signs Series

Global corporate default pace fastest since 2008/09 crisis

Apr 29, 2016 09:08 am UTC| Commentary Economy

Defaults are on the rise and at fastest pace since 2008/09 crisis, largely due to global economic slowdown, over-exposure to leverage and downturn in commodities segment. So far this year, 53 companies have either missed...