Economics
Argentina and Brazil’s currency proposal met with scepticism
Experts say it is unclear whether governments want currency union or trade settlement mechanism
Book notes: The illusion of control, by Jon Danielsson
Jon Danielsson’s book makes a compelling case for a serious rethink on financial crises and risk management
Book notes: Global discord, by Paul Tucker
A curious mix of a book, which attempts to think through how democracies should deal with the rise of Communist China
Malpass says debt relief critical for poor countries
World Bank president says world risks “disorderly default process”
Eurozone sovereign downgrades increased corporate risk – ECB paper
Ratings changes for “core” eurozone countries had largest effects on corporate bonds
Book notes: Mission economy, by Mariana Mazzucato
Although worth reading, the book doesn’t offer as many answers as it could when it comes to reimagining the capitalist system
Hong Kong recovery expected to slow – IMF
Fund warns of risks including exposures to Chinese real estate and further supply disruption
Book notes: The cost of free money, by Paola Subacchi
A book worth reading, as it facilitates further discussion on substantial issues, but doesn’t fully address some of the problems it takes aim at
Book notes: Empire of silver, by Jin Xu
A useful introduction to China’s monetary history, focusing on the last 1,000 years, but not the easiest of reads throughout
US adds more than half a million jobs in October
Unemployment falls to 4.6% as labour market perks up again
Yellen warns of ‘catastrophic’ effects of not raising debt limit
Treasury secretary says failing to raise ceiling would be a “manufactured crisis”
Canada records surprise GDP decline
Second-quarter figures show 0.3% contraction, which may affect taper and monetary policy
Microfinance improves access to bank credit – Fed paper
Study finds Rwandan initiative built credit record and made bank loans more accessible
Central Bank of Argentina calls for investigation of IMF agreement
Fund granted South American economy over $57 billion in 2018, its largest-ever package
Rich countries must aid poor over Covid-19: Georgieva
IMF chief warns of future financial instability and calls for major aid flows to developing world
IMF to update debt sustainability framework
Reforms aim to improve framework’s predictive capacity and transparency, IMF says
Eurozone inflation jumps to 0.9% in January
Analysts argue sharp increase was pushed by German tax increase and statistical changes
Brazil’s inflation still above target in January
Early reading recorded at 4.3%, adding pressure to tighten policy
New IMFC chair warns against premature stimulus withdrawal
Magadalena Andersson lays out priorities for the IMF over the coming years
IMF’s Georgieva highlights pandemic impact in Latin America
GDP contraction is forecast to be 8% of GDP in 2020, double the level for the global economy
Furlough schemes may conceal slack in EU labour market – ECB research
The longer the pandemic continues, the more job reallocation will be needed, authors say
Lower public spending holding back Middle East and Central Asia
Efficient and targeted investments require comprehensive data, says IMF paper
Official institutions lead the Covid‑19 recovery charge
Tested by the Covid-19 pandemic, market consensus is that official institutions have been instrumental in mitigating market disruption. As economies work out how to adapt to a post-lockdown world, major public bodies are likely to play a key role in the…
IMF takes new steps to support weaker countries
Fund approves immediate debt relief for 25 countries; offers Ghana $1 billion to fight Covid-19