The prevalent dollar-carry trade, in which investors borrow US dollars at 0% interest rates, to park in risky assets across the globe could come to an end in the foreseeable future, which may result in a major crash in such risky asset classes such as equities and commodities, according to economist Nouriel Roubini.
The unemployment rate in the United States rose to 10.2% in October, which was its highest rate since April 1983, according to figures from the US Labour Department.
Unemployment in September was 9.8%.
The European Union and Mercosur closed on Friday a three-day round of talks unable to re-launch the stalled trade negotiations, although both sides were quick to point out to the “advances” of the last five years.
The Bank of England voted on Thursday to pump an extra £25 billion into the economy amid concerns over getting the UK's faltering recovery out of recession. The quantitative easing (QE) program aimed at increasing the money supply and helping the economy no stands at £ 200 billion.
Brazil’s all powerful Sao Paulo Federation of Industries, FIESP, said it is willing to yield positions so a free trade agreement can be reached with the European Union but also suggested Brazil should leave Mercosur aside.
Magallanes Region, in the extreme south of Chile, economic performance from 2004 to 2008 has been one of the worst of the country according to the regional report from Chile’s Central Bank. The region experienced in the period a 1.3% GDP contraction, the only negative result of all Chilean regions.
Argentina’s Economy Minister Amado Boudou travels to Scotland Thursday where he will participate in a meeting with his G-20 counterparts. Boudou is also scheduled to meet with International Monetary Fund (IMF) head Dominique Strauss-Kahn.
Argentina has accused Brazil of not keeping to agreed “self regulated” bilateral trade understandings originally destined as an umbrella for Argentine industry, and instead has resorted to customs barriers which are delaying or impeding exports.
Brazilian central bank President Henrique Meirelles admitted “exuberant” investors might create an asset bubble in Latinamerica’s biggest economy.
Brazil's foreign reserves totaled 232.9 billion US dollars at the end of October, up from 224.2 billion at the end of September. In the first ten months of 2009, reserves were up 26.1 billion. Reserves ended last year at 206.8 billion.