Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Pre-OPEC Meeting: Musings

Just because it may be a significant event, and some of the rhetoric has been amusing (or rather on track with expectations) just before Friday.

My reading list, put together in a not-so-sensationalist-like order:

I.M.F., Predicting Slower Growth for China, Urges Overhauls
The lowered forecast — the I.M.F. shaved a quarter of a percentage point off its previous projection for 8 percent growth in China, to 7.75 percent — was the latest in a string of similar reductions by analysts in recent weeks. And although the new projection remains higher than the Chinese government’s target of 7.5 percent growth, the I.M.F.’s revision and comments underlined the challenges facing policy makers as they try to revamp the Chinese economy, the world’s second-largest, after that of the United States.
Copper Falls as IMF Cuts Forecasts For Economic Growth In China
Copper fell in New York after the International Monetary Fund cut forecasts for economic growth in China, the world’s largest consumer of the metal, while some production may restart at the second-biggest mine.
What Does a Chinese "Recession" Look Like?
A drop in manufacturing will affect the middle class, because their jobs, and especially increases in wages, depend on factory expansion. Anxiety about pay almost certainly will trigger a drop in consumer activity, which is supposed to be the new engine of China's GDP growth
WTI Crude Falls on Speculation Fed to Cut Stimulus
“Equities are getting pummeled and oil is taking a hit as well on concerns about the Fed,” said Stephen Schork, president of the Schork Group Inc. in Villanova, Pennsylvania. “Once again, Ben Bernanke is a bigger determinate of what happens in the oil market than OPEC.”
Saudi Arabia's Naimi Says Current Situation Best for Oil
“This is the best environment for the market,” Ali al-Naimi told reporters today in Vienna when asked about the balance of supply and demand. “Demand is great,” al-Naimi said as he arrived at his hotel.
Greece Enters Sixth Year of Recession
On Tuesday, Greece’s battered debt ratings received a rare upgrade from Fitch which noted “clear progress” on eliminating deficits.
Brazil Economists Trim GDP Growth View, Raise 2014 Rate Outlook
Economists trimmed forecasts for Brazil's economic growth this year to 2.93 percent from 2.98 percent previously, according to the median estimate in a weekly central bank survey published on Monday.
Brazil's GDP Grows 0.6% In Q1
Brazil says the country's gross domestic product grew 0.6 percent in the first quarter of the year. The result was below the 0.9 percent market analysts had forecast.

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