Productivity
Momentum towards inflation target is strengthening, says BoJ board member
Rising household income and productivity are positive signs, Takako Masai says
Latin America lags in use of robotics, but faces same threats
Robots threaten over 50% of jobs across the region, report warns, though they offer an opportunity to boost productivity
UK economy vulnerable to consumption-led recession
Fragile consumer spending could take a toll on growth, former BoE officials warn, leaving the central bank with a tough job ahead
Stanley Fischer analyses the factors behind low real interest rates
The economist emphasises government policy uncertainty in the US regarding health care, regulation, taxes and trade, as well as higher savings and weak investment
Yellen warns of debt impact on productivity
Fed chair states in “strongest possible terms” that the current spending by the US government is unsustainable and could harm productivity
BIS urges policymakers to exploit ‘window of opportunity’
Financial cycles are getting close to turning in many economies and central banks and governments must make sure they are prepared, the BIS warns in its 2017 annual report
Balance sheet weakness and falling investment to blame for productivity slowdown – paper
IMF paper rejects structural hypothesis for slowdown in productivity growth following crisis; firms with balance sheet issues and those hit harder by credit tightening cut back on investment
Uganda will ‘claw back’ losses – Tumusiime-Mutebile
Ugandan governor remains upbeat about the country’s growth, with new figures showing recovery in both the services and industrial sectors; he urges people to ignore pessimistic media reports
Capital deepening ‘virtually absent’ in US and eurozone – ECB
US and eurozone have seen major falls in net investment, an ECB article says
Israel’s Flug: action needed on productivity
Bank of Israel governor warns Israel remains a laggard when it comes to growing output per person
BoJ paper sketches ‘vicious circle’ behind productivity traps
“Lacklustre” economic reforms and firms’ unwillingness to innovate may create a “negatively reinforcing” loop, the authors warn
Boost technology diffusion to solve productivity puzzle – Haldane
BoE’s chief economist says a “long tail” of low-productivity firms need support as they fall further behind a small frontier group