How to defuse a time bomb: China worries about liquidity November 21, 2010 IF ANYONE had needed more proof of the extent of global economic imbalance, then last week’s inflation figures ought to have been enough. Despite unprecedented monetary ease, America’s inflation rate is running at 0.6 per cent, the lowest level in 53 years. In China, however, money is abundant and inflation is running at 4.4 per [...]
China orders banks to up reserves in bid to stem inflation November 19, 2010 China’s central bank has increased the amount of money that lenders must keep in reserve, in its latest bid to stem inflation. The People’s Bank of China said the reserve ratio would go up by a further 0.5 percentage points on 29 November. The move comes after Chinese inflation hit a two-year high of 4.4 [...]
Inflation is like a hole in every saver’s pocket November 18, 2010 INFLATION is a global concern at the moment. In China, rocketing food prices have pushed up inflation to 4.4 per cent, prompting a 50 basis point rise in interest rates and a short crash in global equity and commodity prices. That must be galling for British savers – according to the Office for National Statistics; [...]
American inflation slumps to its weakest rate for 53 years November 17, 2010 CORE US inflation fell to an annual rate of just 0.6 per cent in October, according to data released yesterday by the Labor Department. This is the lowest 12 month increase in the 53 year history of the index. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) “less food and energy” recorded no increases at all for the [...]
US wholesale prices fall as output falters November 16, 2010 CORE US producer prices recorded their largest fall in more than four years in October and industrial output was flat, underscoring concerns at the Federal Reserve about low inflation amid moderate economic growth. Economists said the data supported the US central bank’s 3 November decision to ease monetary policy further even if the 0.6 per [...]
China readies price controls as it tries to tackle rising food inflation November 16, 2010 CHINA will unveil food price controls and crack down on speculation in agricultural commodities to contain inflationary pressure that its central bank governor highlighted as a risk yesterday. With consumer prices rising at their fastest pace in more than two years, the National Development and Reform Commission, the country’s top planning agency, is preparing a [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING November 9, 2010 FINANCIAL TIMES EX-CLINTON AIDE TO ADVISE NEWS CORP ON EDUCATION Joel Klein, the chancellor of New York City’s schools and former deputy White House counsel to Bill Clinton, is joining News Corp as a senior adviser to Rupert Murdoch, as the company looks to make investments in educational start-ups. ASIAN EQUITY HEDGE FUNDS OUTPERFORM Asian [...]
J Sainsbury outpaces rivals as it sees its market share inch higher November 9, 2010 UK SUPERMARKET sales are rising slightly more than food price inflation, with the third largest grocer J Sainsbury outpacing its major rivals, market researchers Kantar Worldpanel said yesterday. Grocery sales climbed four per cent in the 12 weeks ended 31 October, helped by a three per cent rise in inflation — little changed from the [...]
Retail sales failed to pick up in October November 8, 2010 RETAIL sales failed to revive in October as weak consumer confidence in the lead up to the comprehensive spending review undermined growth the British Retail Consortium (BRC) will say today. The latest figures show total retail sales grew by 2.4 per cent year-on-year in October but this compared to growth of 5.9 per cent for [...]
There’s still no such thing as a free lunch November 7, 2010 MILTON Friedman said that there is no such thing as a free lunch, but even he might have been surprised by the cost of a meal today. World food prices have soared back up to levels last seen in the crisis of 2007-2008, leading some to warn of renewed food riots. Russia recently extended its [...]