money

New Zealand’s diluted punch bowl may tempt others

26 Mar 2021

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is combatting a hot housing market by stopping property investors from deducting mortgage interest. This mitigates side effects of low rates and allows the central bank to defer policy tightening. The approach might appeal to governments elsewhere.

Hong Kong makes timely bet on taxing trading

24 Feb 2021

The government is hiking stamp duty on buying and selling shares as it tries to reduce a projected $13 bln budget deficit. HKEX stock fell 9% but is double its level 12 months ago after a bumper year. Other regulators eying overheated markets in struggling economies might follow.

Hidden U.S.-China stakes become passive-aggressive

27 Jan 2021

Despite geopolitical tension, investors from the two countries own securities in each other worth some $3.3 trln, or double official sums, new research estimates. A shift from foreign direct investment to tradeable stocks and bonds portends a more volatile financial relationship.

India’s frugal crisis could prove a false economy

30 Nov 2020

A GDP contraction of 7.5% points to a faster-than-expected recovery, as manufacturing swung back to growth. Government stimulus has been tepid, however. That may yet lead to more harmful virus after-effects, unless India can capitalise on a vaccine edge it has over most nations.