(As written for My Paper on 22 November 2011. Click here to enlarge)
Last week, the Monetary Authority of Singapore said that the global economy and financial system are at their most fragile state since the 2008 crisis, with the immediate outlook characterised by a high degree of uncertainty.
Not the most encouraging words for traders and investors to hear, but recent data from the various industries seem to agree. Read more…
(As written for My Paper on 15 November 2011. Click here to enlarge)
The countries which make up the “PIGS” – Portugal, Italy, Greece and Spain, have new leaders.
Portugal is headed by Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho, after Jose Socrates resigned in March.
Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou resigned last week to make way for a coalition led by European Central Bank Vice President Lucas Papademos.
Former European Union competition commissioner Mario Monti, has become Italy’s new Prime Minister following the resignation of Silvio Berlusconi.
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has decided not to seek re-election and polls show Mariano Rajoy, leader of the conservative People’s Party, will win an absolute majority in the 20 November vote. Read more…
