THE CURRENCY DEBATE
It is normal to take the idea of money for granted or assume that today’s prevalent forms of currency are the most logical and
MONETARY POLICY
In its latest World Economic Outlook Update (July 2017), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) states that the cyclical recovery in the global economy
THE EXCHANGE RATE
The Sri Lankan Rupee has weakened this year, continuing the trend since it was floated against the US Dollar in September 2015. According to the Central Bank
POPULIST SENTIMENT
There is a famous scene in the Oscar-winning classic Braveheart where Mel Gibson’s character
THE FINANCIAL SYSTEM
China’s policy makers are aware of the dangers of credit driven asset price booms. And there’s growing evidence that the country is
SUSTAINABILITY AGENDA
Moving towards creating a more sustainable world has been a goal shared by many for some time. But is it change or transformation that will get us there?
EXTERNAL SECTOR
Trade data for the first quarter of this year reflects mixed fortunes in terms of growth rates and performance. Exports were up albeit only by 1.3 percent
EUROZONE ON EDGE
Picture a train with 19 different engines; some with massive horsepower, others so weak that they literally exert reverse
THE OIL MARKET
Deferring problems has been the oil industry’s bugbear and this is precisely why price volatility is frequent. Hope causes the oil
CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability professionals often become frustrated at the lack of progress in advancing their cause within the organisations
TRUMPONOMICS
An American man with limited political experience campaigns against the establishment. He is a Presbyterian, has Scottish
THE CREDIT CYCLE
Private sector credit – classified as credit disbursed by commercial banks to private sector players in sectors such as agriculture, industry and services
OIL GEOPOLITICS
Oil prices have fallen sharply following the 25 May Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) meeting in
OIL MARKET
This part of the story is always left out. When Alice fell down the rabbit hole, she yelled: ‘Catch me, I’m falling.’ The white rabbit replied: ‘It’s okay Alice,
US FISCAL POLICY
President Donald Trump’s much-awaited tax proposals were light on detail and broadly in line with what the markets expected.
ECONOMIC REVIEW
Once a year in April, we’re treated to a recap of what went on in the economy in the prior calendar year from the flagship annual report compiled by the Central
BEHAVIOURAL ECONOMICS
There is an old tale that depicts the way the energy market behaves. It revolves around a physicist, an engineer and an
URBAN ECOSYSTEMS
The history of nations includes the emergence of cities that have been centres of commerce, politics and the arts. But most are also known for the appeal
US FISCAL POLICY
For the US economy, the only way is up. At least this is what the financial markets seem to think. The world economy and
ECONOMIC DIRECTION
As much as we focus on economic numbers and fundamentals, sentiment plays a major role in the direction of an economy. At the time of writing, most
