Though the UK economy may appear very weak to British consumers who are facing tax rises and spending cuts, there are various reasons which explain why sterling has recently been stronger and could continue its upward movement. Prospect of Higher Interest rates. With one of the highest inflation rates in Europe, and higher than US, …
See: Factors affecting UK Current account deficit. Post updated Feb, 2011. The UK has had a persistent current account deficit for the past couple of decades. The deficit has never gained much concern from politicians or economists. However, with the recent increase in the size and significance of the deficit there are an increasing number …
The coalition expects 490,000 public sector jobs to be lost by 2014-15 as a direct result of its drastic spending cuts, Danny Alexander, the chief secretary to the Treasury, has accidently disclosed. (link to Guardian) In addition the spending cuts, wage freezes and job losses will have a knock on effect to the rest of …
Readers Question: Where is the US economy headed? Is it inflation or depression? Recently, Goldman Sachs predicted a rough year ahead for the US Dollar. They forecast the dollar may fall against Pound Sterling to $1.85 in 12 months. Against the Euro, they forsee it to fall to $1.55 in a year’s time. Exchange rates …
A casual observer may have been led into thinking that the recent credit crunch and recession were caused by profligate governments, with Governments spending and borrowing too much. Much attention has been focused on the need for fiscal austerity and less on ways to maintain recovery and help reduce unemployment. Governments are not entirely blameless, …
Readers Question: My question is if some many people are aware of this debt and credit problem, why are governments continuing this policy? Debt is nothing more than future taxes which has a crowding out effect. It is a statement that says, government is a more efficient player in the market than individuals. (from Rapid …
The UK credit rating is a measure of the UK government’s credit worthiness on the level of government borrowing. AAA rating implies that the government is liable to honour its debts and repay bonds and gilts in full. A- would indicate a small chance of default. BBB rating implies the investment is speculative with a …
If you are studying for exams, you will hopefully, be learning that the value of a currency is generally influenced by factors such as: Interest rates – low interest rates lead to hot money flows out of economy and a weaker exchange rate. Relative inflation rates – Higher inflation makes a countries exports uncompetitive and …