Recession is near

President Bush - 2000 billion deficit

The imbalance in the federal budget for 2008-2009 is multiplied by 2.5. The expenses for pensions and health care are sacrificed in favour of the defence. Curiously optimistic about growth in America, the White House displayed a raw realism about...

The Fed lowered its overnight rate and its discount rate by a quarter point

The U.S. Federal Reserve Bank (Fed), which met on Tuesday in a context of economic slowdown and uncertainty in the markets, decided to again lower its benchmark rate by a quarter point to 4.25%. It lowers all its discount rate, reduced to...

The IMF sees German growth slowing in 2008

According to the Fund, German growth would not exceed 1.9% in 2008. A slowdown which owes much to that of the United States but also to the strong euro and oil prices. Germany has in recent years achieved a recovery "remarkable and...

American companies optimistic about 2008

According to the Institute for Supply Management, businesses expect a further growth in 2008, with a more marked optimism in industry and in services. By contrast, estimates for investments are declining. American companies are fairly...

Germany: ZEW index at its lowest since January 1993

The index of economic sentiment of German investors fell to -37.2 in December, after -32.5 in November. The ZEW institute reported risks to the industrialized countries that could hamper German exports. New cloud for the German economy. The...

Madrid reviews down to 3% growth for 2008

The Spanish Minister of Economy table now on 3% growth next year, instead of 3.3%, after a level close to 3.8% in 2007. The pace of growth is slowing for several quarters. Even revised downwards, Spanish growth should remain strong and always...

Canada falling interest rates

It lowered to 4.25%, citing a reduction in inflationary pressures and the "darkening prospects for the American economy". The Bank of Canada announced Tuesday a drop of a quarter point to its benchmark rate.