Economists estimate that when Japan reports its December quarter GDP on Feb 15, it will show that the economy probably grew at the fastest pace since the first quarter of 2008, up 3.6%, as a global trade revival fuels demand for the nation’s exports.    However, the faster growt  Read more...

South Africa has been in the spotlight in a not-so-favorable way. Bloomberg News said President Jacob Zuma who is to deliver his state-of-the-nation address this week will be doing so in the face of rising criticisms of his personal life and a widening rift among his key political allies over e  Read more...

A US private sector report estimated that companies cut an roughly 22,000 jobs in January, the smallest drop in two years. Said one economist, “The trends are heading in a positive direction for the labor market.  Businesses are becoming more confident that the economy does have legs.&rdq  Read more...