Tag: global economy

Fragile Recovery Seen in Global Labor Market After Huge 2020 Losses: ILO

GENEVA—Some 8.8 percent of global working hours were lost last year due to the pandemic, roughly four times the number lost in the 2009 financial crisis, but there are “tentative signs” of recovery, the International Labour Organization (ILO) said on Monday. The losses compared with the previous year were equivalent to 255 million full-time jobs…


Working From Home Is Losing Its Effectiveness, Bank Execs Say

Working from home has been surprisingly successful for global banks during the first year of the coronavirus pandemic but is losing its effectiveness, two prominent industry executives said on Tuesday at a virtual meeting of the World Economic Forum. “It’s remarkable it’s working as well as it is, but I don’t think it’s sustainable,” said…


Working From Home Losing Its Effectiveness, Bank Execs Say

Working from home has been surprisingly successful for global banks during the first year of the coronavirus pandemic but is losing its effectiveness, two prominent industry executives said on Jan. 26 at a virtual meeting of the World Economic Forum. “It’s remarkable it’s working as well as it is, but I don’t think it’s sustainable,”…


The Data-Driven New World Order

Commentary What’s the most powerful commodity in the world? Gold? Tesla electric vehicle technology? Bitcoin? Oil? Actually, it’s none of these things. As we’re now discovering, care of the Big Tech gang in Silicon Valley, the most valuable commodity in the world today—and for the foreseeable future—is data. In fact, Wired magazine has declared that,…


Lockdowns in 2021 Threaten to Slow First-Quarter Earnings Recovery

LONDON—A major chunk of the recovery in companies’ earnings expected in the first quarter is at risk of being pushed back further as lockdowns and mobility restrictions in several countries cloud hopes of a swifter economic recovery, investment banks said. China announced lockdowns in four cities and European countries unveiled tighter and longer coronavirus restrictions…


After Golden Year for Precious Metals, Silver Set to Shine in 2021

After a spectacular year, precious metals are set for further gains in 2021, with silver tipped to outperform, but analysts are growing more cautious about the prospects for gold as the global economy recovers from the impact of the coronavirus. The pandemic triggered stockpiling by investors looking to protect their wealth. This, alongside supply deficits,…


Factories Bounce Back From Covid-19 Hit, Tighter Controls Cloud Outlook

Manufacturers across Europe ended 2020 on a high while Asian factory activity expanded moderately thanks to increased demand in China, surveys showed, but the prospect of tougher coronavirus curbs clouded the outlook for the recovery. Despite hopes that vaccination programs being rolled out will eventually quell the virus, a resurgence of infections is forcing many…


Volatile Markets End 2020 Strong With Vaccines, Stimulus in Sight

Global commodity markets ended 2020 on a strong note, with recovering demand and widespread stimulus packages buoying prices after a roller coaster ride caused by the global coronavirus pandemic. Rollouts of vaccines to combat the virus and trillions of dollars’ in fiscal support are expected to boost investment and spending in 2021, spurring demand for…


Volatile Commodity Markets End 2020 Strong With Vaccines, Stimulus in Sight

Global commodity markets ended 2020 on a strong note, with recovering demand and widespread stimulus packages buoying prices after a roller coaster ride caused by the global coronavirus pandemic. Rollouts of vaccines to combat the virus and trillions of dollars in fiscal support are expected to boost investment and spending in 2021, spurring demand for…