Eight banks are facing a US investigation into the rating of their mortgage products, the BBC understands. New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is looking at whether the relationship between the banks and credit rating agencies was manipulated to gain better ratings for risky securities.
A recent study from the Central Bank of Chile written by economists José Miguel Matus, Nancy Silva, Alejandra Marinovic y Karla Flores found that Chilean household debt increased from 23% of GDP in 2000 to 39.1% in 2009.
Government deficits in Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark and Finland have gone too far over the 3% of GDP reference value for the European Union and need to be brought down through stronger budget consolidation measures, concluded the European Commission in reports considered on Wednesday.
Brazilian President Lula da Silva on Wednesday said the country's interest rates could go up again this year “if necessary,” even in the run-up to the presidential election. Brazil is holding elections next October and will be voting for the successor of Lula da Silva who is barred from running a third consecutive mandate.
Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) CEO James Gorman denied allegations the US bank misled investors about mortgage derivatives it sold them. The firm is being probed by US prosecutors over whether the bank misled clients when it sold them collateralized debt obligations as its own traders bet that the value of the securities would drop, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday.
The US reported its largest April budget deficit on record, 82.7 billion USD as receipts declined in a month that typically sees an increase in individual income tax payments, according to the latest release from the Treasury Department.
The financial statements from the government of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands ending December 2008 show a healthy surplus with fisheries licences, tourism and stamps, the three main sources of revenue.
April inflation in China has accelerated as bank lending exceeded estimates and property prices jumped by a record, increasing pressure on the government to raise interest rates and let the currency appreciate.
United States shares closed lower on Tuesday as global stock markets stalled on niggling worries over European debt problems. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones index closed down 0.34% following a turbulent day's trading, and a nearly 4% rise on Monday.
Uruguay’s government raised its 2010 economic growth forecast and said it will focus on health programs, security and infrastructure to maintain expansion of at least 4% annually, Economy Minister Fernando Lorenzo said.