Germany

Germany
Author: International Monetary Fund. European Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 77
Release: 2016-06-30
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1498334717

This paper discusses the economic performance of Germany. The economy of Germany is projected to slowly rebalance, with domestic demand supported by tight labor market, accommodative monetary conditions, and, in 2016, a fiscal expansion. Declining medium-term growth prospects, however, continue to hold back domestic investment and push up savings, preventing faster rebalancing. Progress has been slow on addressing needs in public infrastructure and stimulating competition in services sector, while mounting aging costs and a successful labor market integration of women and refugees require further policy action. Full use of the room available under fiscal rules to finance additional public investment and growth-friendly structural reforms would be appropriate.

Indonesia

Indonesia
Author: International Monetary Fund. Asia and Pacific Dept
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 54
Release: 2019-07-31
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1513509136

This Selected Issues paper provides an overview of the exchange rate and trade dynamics in Indonesia. Using data on monthly export and import price and volume at the sectoral level, the paper estimates pass-through effects of exchange rate changes to trade price and volume. Results indicate adjustment frictions that depend on the source of the exchange rate fluctuation and the degree of integration in global value chains. Overall, combining price and volume effects, we find that 10 percent depreciation in the exchange rate is associated with a rise in the goods net-exports of up to 1.6 percent of GDP. Results indicate that there is considerable asymmetry and sectoral heterogeneity in the pass-throughs of exchange rate on import and export prices. Import prices adjust well to exchange rate fluctuations with the effects being stronger for appreciation episodes. The price sensitivity of export prices to exchange rate shocks is generally lower than of imports and concentrated over shorter horizons and during episodes of depreciation. The price and quantity results imply that exchange rate changes can have significant effects on the current account, by affecting movements in net-exports of goods.

United States

United States
Author: International Monetary Fund. Western Hemisphere Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 62
Release: 2015-07-07
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1513539426

This 2015 Article IV Consultation highlights that the U.S. economy’s momentum in the first quarter of 2015 was sapped by unfavorable weather, a sharp contraction in oil sector investment, and the West Coast port strike. But the underpinnings for a continued expansion remain in place. A solid labor market, accommodative financial conditions, and cheaper oil should support a more dynamic path for the remainder of the year. Despite this, the weaker outturn in the first few months of 2015 will unavoidably pull down 2015 growth. Despite important policy uncertainties, the near-term fiscal outlook has improved, and the federal government deficit is likely to move modestly lower in the current fiscal year.

Shock Exchange

Shock Exchange
Author: Ralph W. Baker (Jr.)
Publisher: Self Publisher
Total Pages: 346
Release: 2012
Genre: Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.)
ISBN: 9780988488908

"Shock Exchange explains the stock market and U.S. economy through the eyes of the New York Shock Exchange, a financial literacy program Ralph Baker started in 2006 to share his passion for investing and basketball with his 11 year old son and other boys his age. For those interested in learning about "the pain ahead" for the U.S. economy and/or the cut-throat world of New York City grassroots basketball, Shock Exchange is a must read." --from book description, Amazon.com.

Jamaica

Jamaica
Author: International Monetary Fund. Western Hemisphere Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 80
Release: 2015-09-24
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 151351640X

This paper discusses Jamaica’s Ninth Review Under the Arrangement Under the Extended Fund Facility and Request for Modification of Performance Criteria (PC). Macroeconomic indicators are improving, but growth remains sluggish. Growth has been revised down to 1.4 percent for FY2015/16 as drought continues to impede agricultural growth for a second year in a row. The program is on track. All the quantitative PCs were met, and structural reforms are broadly on schedule. The transition of the retail repo contracts to a trust-based framework has been completed. Based on continued strong program implementation and the authorities’ policy commitments, the IMF staff recommends completion of the ninth review.

Argentina

Argentina
Author: International Monetary Fund. Western Hemisphere Dept.
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 85
Release: 2019-04-05
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1498306748

This paper discusses Argentina’s Third Review under the Stand-By Arrangement, Request for Waivers of Applicability of Performance Criteria, Financing Assurances Review, and Request for Modification of Performance Criteria. Discussions centered on the risks to the fiscal position, how best to counter the rise in inflation and inflation expectations, how best to mitigate debt rollover risks, and what more can be done to mitigate the impact of the economic downturn on the most vulnerable. The paper highlights that the Argentina economy continues to contract, albeit at a modestly slower pace than had been expected under the program. After a brief period of falling monthly inflation, price pressures and inflation expectations are again rising. Financial conditions improved in January, with declining sovereign spreads and a rally in the local equity market, but have since then erased much of those gains, with rising volatility in both currency and interest rates in March. All end-March performance criteria and fiscal targets are expected to be met.

International Migration, Human Capital, and Entrepreneurship

International Migration, Human Capital, and Entrepreneurship
Author: Dean Yang
Publisher: World Bank Publications
Total Pages: 54
Release: 2005
Genre: Emigrant remittances
ISBN:

"Millions of households in developing countries receive financial support from family members working overseas. How do the economic prospects of overseas migrants affect origin-household investments-in particular, in child human capital and household enterprises? Yang examines Philippine households' responses to overseas members' economic shocks. Overseas Filipinos work in dozens of foreign countries which experienced sudden (and heterogeneous) changes in exchange rates due to the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Appreciation of a migrant's currency against the Philippine peso leads to increases in household remittances received from overseas. The estimated elasticity of Philippine peso remittances with respect to the Philippine/foreign exchange rate is 0.60. In addition, these positive income shocks lead to enhanced human capital accumulation and entrepreneurship in origin households. Favorable migrant shocks lead to greater child schooling, reduced child labor, and increased educational expenditure in origin households. More favorable exchange rate shocks also raise hours worked in self-employment and lead to greater entry into relatively capital-intensive enterprises by migrants' origin households. "--World Bank web site.

Malaysia

Malaysia
Author: International Monetary Fund. Asia and Pacific Dept
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 107
Release: 2016-05-04
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1484343069

This paper discusses the extent to which the Malaysian economy has been hit by a number of external and domestic shocks since late 2014, including sharply lower energy prices, spillovers from China, capital outflows, and domestic political controversies. The 2016 budget, including January recalibration, reaffirms the government’s commitment to fiscal consolidation. The current accommodative monetary policy stance is appropriate in an environment of moderating growth and low inflation. Facing sizeable capital outflows and a sharp fall in oil and commodity prices, exchange rate depreciated substantially. The central bank deployed reserves; the effect on domestic interest rates was modest. Credit growth has moderated, a welcome development after several years of double-digit growth.