Shanghai needs bigger ideas to be a global hub 1 Feb 2012 The Chinese city has outlined ambitious plans to build a global yuan trading centre by 2015. But key reforms are missing. Without freer capital flows, exchange rate flexibility, and a more open financial regime, Shanghai’s markets can be huge, but not really international.
New currency unions could yet see the light of day 20 Dec 2011 The euro is in deep trouble. But if leaders successfully realign political and fiscal policies with monetary facts on the ground, it could set a precedent. Single currencies have big economic and geopolitical advantages. Gulf states and South America might yet embrace the idea.
No happy euro Christmas for U.S. markets 14 Dec 2011 Last week’s European summit in the end did little to address the region’s immediate problems. That’s dragging down the euro, commodities - oil and gold by 5 pct on Wednesday - and U.S. stocks. It could all make for skittish trading as investors aim to avoid year-end surprises.
How a 1990s sterling currency area might now look 14 Dec 2011 In 1992, the UK abandoned plans to adopt the euro. Martin Hutchinson imagines what would have happened if Britain had used its economic strength in the mid-1990s to form its own alternative currency bloc. The sterling zone would at least be insulated from troubles elsewhere.
Euro crisis worsens the currency wars 10 Nov 2011 Once there was just one big controlled currency, China’s. Now there are three, as Switzerland and Japan try to counteract euro fear and safe haven flows. But these interventions could enlarge global imbalances. China is best placed to help, by letting the yuan rise.
Currency crossfire to hit emerging economies hard 29 Sep 2011 Money is flowing out of emerging economies. Countries that had complained about currency appreciation have had to prop up forex rates. Turkey and South Korea are vulnerable to hot money retreat. Poland and Hungary are caught in currency traps.
China’s pursuit of stability risks greater stress 20 Sep 2011 Some claim China’s economy is a bubble set to burst while others think slowing growth and inflation warrant looser policy. Ethan Devine of Indus Capital argues that in fact China’s economy is both too hot and too cold, with structural reforms needed to bring it back into balance.
Pseudo-devaluation could help euro periphery 20 Sep 2011 Greece and its ilk would have to quit the euro to devalue their currencies. But the IMF is offering a tip to mimic the effect: rejigging taxes to benefit exports and hurt imports, especially by hiking VAT. Portugal is trialing the idea. It has drawbacks, but options are scarce.
Only Drachmaization can save Greece and euro 8 Sep 2011 Regional comparisons suggest Greek living standards rose far beyond productivity, making austerity inadequate to rebalance the economy. Drachmaization would allow the market to set wage levels, induce other weak countries to reform without EU prodding and thus solidify the euro.
Swiss franc defence will work – at a price 6 Sep 2011 If the Swiss National Bank keeps its promise to buy “unlimited quantities” of foreign currency, its effort to peg the franc should succeed. Given the euro’s big risks, the central bank may lose money again. But the gamble is an attempt to prevent recession and deflation.
Nigeria deals the dollar another blow 6 Sep 2011 The oil-rich African state will invest about $3 billion of its foreign reserves into China’s currency. High inflation and closed markets make the yuan a poor choice. Nigeria’s goal may be to secure investment flows: still, it is another sign of the dollar’s weakening influence.