Italian Government Bonds Drop on Political Tensions; Bunds Rise

Italian bonds dropped, with 10-year yields posting the biggest weekly increase in more than a month, as political tension that threatened the survival of the coalition government deterred buyers.

Consumer Spending in U.S. Climbs 0.3% as Incomes Pick Up

Consumer spending in Household purchases, which account for about 70 percent of the economy, climbed 0.3 percent after a revised 0.2 percent advance in July that was more than previously estimated, the Commerce Department reported today in Washington.

Britain's EU bonus challenge offers scant hope for bankers

(Reuters) - Britain's challenge to European Union rules capping bankers' bonuses is likely to get bogged down in court long beyond their implementation, and critics say it is more about pleasing domestic voters unimpressed by the loss of powers to Brussels.

Polish Economic Recovery Not Under Threat -- Central Bank Head

SOPOT, Poland--Poland's economic recovery isn't under threat with most recent data confirming the belief that gradual expansion continues, central bank governor Marek Belka said Wednesday night.

French business climate improves but manufacturers gloomier

French managers are increasingly upbeat on the country's business climate but are still less optimistic than in the past, particularly in the manufacturing sector, new data showed Wednesday.

The Uneven Politics of the Patchwork Recovery

At this point, it’s hard to argue with the economic recovery—jobs numbers have gone up every month for the last three years.

The Economist: “The Fed's have-it-both-ways policy”

R.A., regarding Bernanke’s Jackson Hole speech, your column notes that you “found the tone on monetary policy to be confusing and timid.” Expectations now turn to what President Obama will say next week and what the Fed will do (or not do) when they next meet. Uncertainty again prevails.

Alexander Mirtchev

Signs of recovery come despite, not thanks to, George Osborne's austerity

The choice of the person to govern a central bank is one politicians and financial markets take very seriously.

Deep Thoughts by Alexander Mirtchev

Ashby Monk

For a variety of reasons, SWF employees are typically quite reserved and guarded when speaking to the press. Not so for Dr. Alexander Mirtchev, who is the Independent Director and a member of the Board of Directors of Kazakhstan’s $30 billion National Welfare Fund Samruk-Kazyna.

Alexander Mirtchev

BOJ governor Haruhiko Kuroda gives positive outlook for overseas economies

TOKYO: Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda offered a positive outlook for overseas economies, including the United States, saying on Friday growth would gradually pick up and support Japanese exports.

U.S. stocks needn't fret about a government shutdown

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Investors may be tempted to shy away from stocks in the next week or two as the latest version of the fiscal follies plays out in Washington. It's understandable.

Greek finance minister sees signs of economic recovery

The Greek finance minister has said his country's economy is heading "slowly towards recovery" after it saw growth in the second quarter of the year.

British retail sales fall unexpectedly in August

British retail sales fell unexpectedly in August after unusually hot weather in July had fuelled spending on food, drinks and summer clothing, official data showed on Thursday.

EU ready for talks with China on pact paving way for free trade

(Reuters) - European Union countries will agree next month to talks with China on a pact making it easier to do business, possibly paving the way for a free-trade deal between two of the world's biggest markets, EU officials said on Tuesday.

Eurozone recovery still 'in infancy': Mario Draghi

FRANKFURT:: The head of the European Central Bank says the eurozone's economic recovery "is only in its infancy" and that governments must take steps to improve growth.

Securing global economic security

Inflation is a significant factor of global economic security and has the innate capacity to upend carefully laid plans

Alexander Mirtchev

Obama on the Economy 5 Years Later: 'We're Not Near Where We Need to Be'

Obama launched a defense of the economic progress under his administration Sunday on ABC's This Week with George Stephanopoulos, while still acknowledging how much there is left to be done.

UK retailers say talk of economic recovery premature

LONDON (Reuters) - Some of Britain's biggest retailers on Thursday cast doubt over signs of economic recovery, saying consumer spending - the largest engine of growth - was likely to remain subdued until wages rise ahead of inflation, which could be over a year away.

It’s a rich man’s economic recovery

Basically, while the great majority of Americans are still living in a depressed economy, the rich have recovered just about all their losses and are powering ahead, writes syndicated columnist Paul Krugman.

UK banks must make fast account switching work or face IT overhaul

LONDON: Britain's banks are under pressure to make a success of new rules allowing customers to switch accounts within a week, if they want to avoid even tougher government demands such as an industry-wide information-sharing programme.

EU probes governments in corporate tax crackdown

Moves by Europe's competition watchdog signal a crackdown on corporate tax cheats could be gathering steam.

China industrial output growth hits 17-month high: Government

China's industrial production rose at its fastest in 17 months in August, authorities said Tuesday, the latest in a series of better-than-expected indicators pointing to a pick-up in the world's second-largest economy.

Canada Building Permits Rise to Record on Commercial Work

Canadian building permits rose to a record in July as the value of projects such as shopping malls and office buildings almost doubled, government figures showed.

UK economy is turning corner, George Osborne says

The UK economy is "turning a corner", Chancellor George Osborne has said in a speech in London.

Japan Q2 GDP revised up sharply, boosts case for tax hike

TOKYO: Japan's economy expanded much faster than initially expected in the second quarter, adding to growing signs a solid recovery is taking hold and heightening the case for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to proceed with a planned sales tax hike next year.

Nations Put Economic Focus on Growth, Jobs

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia--World leaders insisted on a sense of urgency in tackling global economic problems at the close of a summit here on Friday, stressing concerns about growth and unemployment and putting a new focus on developing nations.

German exports record unexpected fall in July

German exports unexpectedly fell in July as the nation delivered less to its eurozone neighbours. Seasonally adjusted exports fell by 1.1% in July from June.

U.S. construction spending climbs on home, commercial building outlays

(Reuters) - U.S. construction spending rose in July as more outlays to build homes and businesses countered a decline in the government sector.

The Global Inflation Wave: Waiting for Constantine?

Source: The Globalist

Alexander Mirtchev and Norman Bailey,

In the wake of the global economic crisis, the world is trying to chart an economic path to the future and find a "new normal." As Alexander Mirtchev and Norman A. Bailey explain in the first installment in their series "The Search for a New Global Equilibrium," inflation as a factor of global economic security has the innate capacity to upend carefully laid plans and further upset the equilibrium.

OECD Lifts European Growth Forecasts on Recovery

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development lifted its growth forecasts for Germany, France and the U.K. while urging the region’s most-indebted nations to step up changes to improve competitiveness.

UK construction PMI hits highest level in nearly six years: Markit/CIPS

LONDON: British construction activity grew at the fastest pace in nearly six years in August, driven by residential building, a survey showed on Tuesday, in another sign that the UK's economic recovery is gathering pace.

The new EU External Energy Policy: an important move - if it is not too late

 By Alexander Mirtchev

With the adoption of its new External Energy Policy, the EU has finally made a first step towards its integration as a single negotiating bloc in the world energy market. As such the External Energy Policy could become an important factor in the global energy security picture and a possible geopolitical game-changer. However, it remains to be seen whether the big EU member states will be willing to subordinate their interests to the wider EU interest. The External Energy Policy has probably come five years too late, argues Alexander Mirtchev, President of Krull Corp. and Vice-President of the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies.

China manufacturers lead Asia in shaky factory recovery

BEIJING: China's factories had their best growth in months in August as domestic demand made up for weak exports, though lacklustre performances from other regional manufacturers tempered hopes that Asian workshops are on the edge of a solid recovery.

Euro Zone Orders Rise but Hiring Continues to Lag

LONDON — Strong orders for manufactured goods helped euro zone factory activity rise at the fastest pace in over two years in August and led to backlogs of work for the first time since mid-2011, a survey showed on Monday.

Brazil GDP beats expectations for second quarter

Brazil's economy grew by 3.3% year-on-year in the second quarter, according to official new state figures.