Latin American stocks fell to an eight-month low on Monday triggered by concerns that the Euro zone debt problem was deepening and signs of slower growth in China. The region’s largest market Brazil’s Bovespa ended at its lowest since July 2010
The global economic recovery is accelerating but remains vulnerable to setbacks said IMF acting Managing Director John Lipsky said as he urged continued international support for shaky economies in Europe.
Dominique Strauss-Kahn, (DSK) the head of the International Monetary Fund, may be forced to leave his post after being accused of trying to rape a maid in his New York hotel room. IMF is currently under John Lipsky Acting Managing Director.
Germany’s Bundesbank new hawkish president Jens Weidmann said private investors should help cover costs of the Euro zone crisis. Mr Weidmann promised a continued “stability culture” at the German central bank after taking over from outgoing president Axel Weber.
The growth outlook for major industrialized economies is improving with Germany and the United States leading the recovery, the OECD's leading indicator for February showed.
Euro-zone interest rates have been raised to 1.25% from the record low of 1% by the European Central Bank (ECB). Interest rates had been held at 1% for just under two years following the financial crisis and global recession.
Portugal's caretaker government said on Wednesday it had decided to seek financing from the European Union in an abrupt turnaround after resisting a bailout for months despite sharply deteriorating financial conditions.
The president of the European Central Bank has said that a rise in Euro zone interest rates was possible at its next policy meeting in April. Jean-Claude Trichet said the ECB was in a posture of strong vigilance against rising inflation.
European Central Bank policymaker Axel Weber said that debt-strained Euro zone countries must make the most of the breathing space bought by aid measures and warned them the hardest part of the reform process was still ahead.
The euro is not going through a crisis, although in some countries if the EU there are problems which must be solved, said the President of the European Central Bank Jean Claude Trichet. “There is no euro crisis. That is absolutely clear,” he added.