_Economy and Finance

The New Century Weekly Double dipping again Andy Xie May 30, 2011 Summary The double dip scare has begun earlier this year than in 2010. High oil prices, falling property market in the US, sovereign debt crisis in Europe, recession in Japan, and inflation-induced tightening in the emerging economies are exerting downward pressure on the global economy. The growth data will surprise on the downside, inflation data on the upside. Risk assets like stocks and commodities will come under pressure in the summer.

How housing could rebound -- in 2025 By Colin Barr May 31, 2011: 11:49 AM ET Ready to be Depressed? House prices have fallen further in the past five years than they did in the Great Depression – and there's no sign the free fall is about to stop.

'Double-Dip' in Housing Prices Even Worse Than Expected Published: Tuesday, 31 May 2011 | 9:05 AM ET By: Reuters U.S. single-family home prices dropped in March, dipping below their 2009 low, as the housing market remained bogged down by inventory and weak demand, a closely watched survey said Tuesday.

EU, IMF to judge Greece as protests swell By Angeliki Koutantou ATHENS | Sun May 29, 2011 9:33pm EDT ( Reuters ) - European Union and IMF officials are expected to deliver their verdict this week on Greece's faltering drive to bring its budget deficit under control, but ordinary Greeks have warned that their patience is running thin.

EUROPE NEWS|MAY 25, 2011, 1:57 P.M. ET OECD: Most Central Banks Should Raise Rates By GABRIELE PARUSSINI And PAUL HANNON PARIS—Central banks around the world should raise their key interest rates as the economic recovery settles in and inflation rates pick up, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said Wednesday.

REVIEW & OUTLOOK |MAY 25, 2011 China's Growth Risks Rising inflation and an opaque financial system, among others. The Chinese economy is coming in for some sort of landing, and everyone is speculating whether it will be hard or soft. After HSBC on Monday released a purchasing managers index barely in positive territory, Goldman Sachs yesterday lowered its growth forecast for the year to 9.4% from 10%. But the determining factor in the hard vs. soft debate, and one reason global markets have fallen out of bed this week, is that Chinese inflation continues to accelerate. Goldman predicts an annual rate of 5.6% in June, up from 5.3% in April.

In Europe, Rifts Widen Over Greece By LANDON THOMAS Jr. Published: May 23, 2011 LONDON — Fissures among Europe’s currency partners are becoming even deeper and more widespread than was previously evident, raising new doubts about whether the group can resolve the regional debt crisis that has simmered for more than a year.