The economy of a nation is the engine that drives prosperity and creates wealth for that country and its citizens. A nation's utilization of its available resources and manpower has a great influence upon its overall economic prowess. Factors such as governmental structure, access to valuable commodities, size and sophistication of the labor force, and relations with trade partners are all key components of achieving economic stability.
Governmental politics play a crucial role in the resolution of many issues facing a nation. The potential impact upon international markets of U.S. President-elect Trump's economic policies, tensions between Russia and NATO, and Scottish independence from the United Kingdom may be substantial. In addition, the fluctuating market price of commodities, such as crude oil, often has vast implications on the overall economic health of many nations and their currencies.
Economies come in all shapes and sizes, earning designations ranging from superpower to emerging. To place each into the proper context, specific indicators are used to quantify the current economic health of a nation and the extent of its growth. A nation's gross domestic product (GDP) is the most referenced indicator pertaining to economic strength.
The value of the United States dollar (USD), British pound (GBP), Canadian dollar (CAD) and other major global currencies rely upon the domestic economic health of the nation itself. In the event that the sustainability of growth and other basic fundamentals come into question, currency valuations often experience periods of enhanced volatility.
Following the early 2020 onset of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the global population eagerly awaited a vaccine capable of combating the virus. Although developing such products typically takes years, policymakers…
Throughout the U.S. electoral cycle of 2020, a collection of unique events drove a spirited race for the White House. Dubbed by political pundits as "the most important election of…
The government and the Reserve Bank of Australia, like their counterparts in other major countries, have enacted several measures to protect and stimulate their economies in the wake of the…
Reserve Bank of New Zealand On 16 March the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ), the country's central bank, lowered its Official Cash Rate from 1.0% to 0.25% and said…
COVID Stimulus Package Guide: Eurozone Since March 2020, the European Central Bank (ECB) and the European Union have announced several major economic stimulus programmes and policy measures to protect businesses,…
Canadian Government On 13 March the government announced the creation of a CA$10 billion Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) to support financing in the private sector through the Business Development…
United Kingdom Government Since March 2020, the government of the United Kingdom and the country's central bank, the Bank of England, have announced several major economic stimulus programs and policy…
United States Government As the world's largest economy, the U.S. has been at the forefront of taking the initiative to help its citizens and businesses survive financially during the shutdown…
The Canadian banking system is generally considered to be one of the safest in the world. According to Global Finance magazine's annual listing of the world's safest banks based on…
What Is A Bank Stress Test? Bank stress tests are administered by some of the world's major central banks to assess the ability of the largest commercial banks they oversee…
The Australian financial system is regulated by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), which oversees "authorised deposit-taking institutions" such as banks, building societies and credit unions. It also regulates insurance…
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