• The Guardian UK about the Market Turmoil
• Business Week: Credit Crunch
• CNN: America's Financial Crisis
• Yahoo Full Coverage: Global Economy
• BBC: Global Financial Crisis
• As global markets fall sharply, the BBC News website looks at the regions of the world most affected to see what governments are doing to alleviate the financial turmoil.
• Views on the current crisis in global financial markets, their impact on the real economy and the policy choices confronting the United States and other countries.
• IMF Meeting to Focus on Global Response to Crisis
• STWR Global Financial Crisis

United States of America

• NEW: OECD Economic Outlook No. 86 (November 2009 - English)
• Federal Reserve Board Statistics: Releases and Historical Data
  Daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual, including commercial paper, loan charge-offs, and medium term notes
• United States - external links to macroeconomic reports and data
• Economic Survey of the United States
• OECD Statistical Profile of the United States of America
• United States and the IMF
• Wachovia Securities: Weekly Economic & Financial Commentary
• Major U.S. Indices

Europe

Europe Celebrates! 50 Years of EU

• OECD Economic Outlook No. 86 (November 2009 - English)
• ECB Monthly Bulletins: All documents are available as hard copy in the languages specified free of charge from the European Central Bank.
• CORDIS: Multilingual Research and Development in Europe
• European Union - external links to macroeconomic reports and data
• United Nations Economic Council for Europe: UNECE strives to foster sustainable economic growth among its 56 member countries. To that end UNECE provides a forum for communication among States; brokers international legal instruments addressing trade, transport and the environment; and supplies statistics and economic and environmental analysis.
• DJ STOXX Indices

Germany

• OECD Economic Outlook No. 85 - Germany (June 2009 - English)
• OECD Statistical Profile of Germany
• Deutsche Bundesbank Monthly Reports
• Germany and the IMF
• Germany: External links to macroeconomic reports and data
• Commerzbank Economic Research
• Frankfurt  Stock Market Indices

Japan

• OECD Economic Outlook No. 86 (November 2009 - English)
• BoJ Reports and Statistics > TANKAN
• Japan - external links to macroeconomic reports and data
• Is the Japanese Locomotive Ready to Again Carry its Load?
• Japan and the IMF
• OECD Statistical Profile of Japan
• Nikkei Net Stock and Market Indices

France

• OECD Economic Outlook No. 86 (November 2009 - English)
• OECD Economic Survey France 2009
  Coping with recession and preserving fiscal sustainability
  Progress in labour market and other reforms
  The challenge of restoring French competitiveness
  Strengthening competition to boost efficiency and employment
• France Monetary Statistics
• France - external links to macroeconomic reports and data
• OECD Statistical Profile of France
• France and the IMF

• Paris Stock Market Indices

United Kingdom

 

•  OECD Economic Outlook No. 86 (November 2009 - English)
• Bank of England Monetary & Financial Statistics
• United Kingdom - external links to macroeconomic reports and data
• OECD Statistical Profile of United Kingdom
• United Kingdom and the IMF
• The British Chambers of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey is the largest and most representative independent business survey of its kind in the UK
• London / Dublin Stock Market Indices

Italy

 

• OECD Economic Outlook No. 86 (November 2009 - English)
• The Italian Economy - Main indicators
• OECD Statistical Profile of Italy
• Italy - external links to macroeconomic reports and data
• Italy and the IMF
• Milan Stock Market Indices

Canada

•  OECD Economic Outlook No. 86 (November 2009 - English)

• The Bank of Canada's Weekly Financial Statistics is updated each Friday afternoon
• OECD Statistical Profile of Canada
• Canada - external links to macroeconomic reports and data
• www.oecd.org/canada is a one-stop-shop for OECD reports and statistics on Canada. Browse the documents in chronological order or by topic (e.g. economy, trade, development, environment, energy, social issues).
• Canada and the IMF

• Canada - Stock Market Indices

Russia

 

• OECD Economic Outlook No. 86 - Russian Federation (December  2009 - English)
  The global crisis put an end to a decade of rapid growth. Russia needs to minimise the downturn and establish a sounder long-term growth model. Growth-friendly product market regulation and a more efficient and resilient banking system will be key.
• Bank of Russia Daily Information
• OECD Statistical Profile of the Russian federation
• Russian Federation and the IMF
• Russian Financial Markets
• Russian Trading System Stock Exchange - Indices
• Moscow Inter-Bank Currency Exchange (MICEX)  
• Saint-Petersburg Currency Exchange (SPCEX)

China

• OECD Economic Outlook No. 86 (November 2009 - English)
• People's Bank of China
• OECD Statistical Profile of China
• Statistics 2007
• People's Republic of China and the IMF

• China's Difficult Rebalancing Act

  IMF Survey online - September 12, 2007

• IMF Economic Assessment (October 2006)
• Shanghai Stock Exchange - Market Indices

• Federal Housing Lending - FHA Loans.
  Get money from your equity with Reverse Mortgages

Bullish underpinnings remain in place. Broad stock markets technicals favour higher levels

Economic considerations continue to see-saw from recovery to weakness on a daily basis. This information coupled with many market watchers persistently predicting a retesting of the March lows has created an environment of confusion for many investors. The daily ping-pong of positive and negative data has driven numerous investors into a state of inaction. However, broad market underpinnings remain bullish and stress longer-term strength and not weakness.

The high bullish percentage of stocks on the NYSE Composite that are trending up is a key example of internal strength. Since July, over 80% of the equities on the "Big Board" have traded above their long-term 200-day moving average. This benchmark guide (200-day m/a) remains a key determining tool for many money managers worldwide to indicate if stocks are bullish or bearish. Since mid-2009, levels have reached a high of 93% in September and October and dipped to only 85%-86% in November and December. The current reading remains very favourable at 86.89% (Chart 1). This means that of the over 2000 stocks listed on the NYSE, just 13% (less than 300) are trending downward.

Another important consideration is the transfer of performance from the safety of bonds to the more growth oriented equity class. Longer-term advances in the stock market requires a commitment from investors into growth and not bonds. Money began to flow out of equities late in 2007 and swift to defensive fixed income. Bonds would out performing stocks for the next 20 months. The process of reversing started slowly in mid-2009 but only recently have stocks proven the superiority over bonds (Chart 2). This movement is a key component to all bull markets.

Consumer attitudes is another vital element that analysts review. As consumers equal 2/3rds of the economy, strength in the retail sector is another vital underpinning to the overall stock market picture. The S&P Retail Index (Chart 3) bottomed in late 2008 and early 2009 after 18 months of declines. The downward trend that began in mid-2007 was broken in July 2009. Since that time, the consumer-driven index has displayed steady growth with no indication of rolling over. Current technicals suggest some potential for resistance at the 400 to 425 range in the 1st quarter. The longer-term target in 2010 is a bullish 500.

Bottom line: Many internal market dynamics stress an underpinning of bullish strength. The continuous high levels of upward trending stocks on NYSE indicates a favourable long-term attitude with most institutional investors. The transfer of funds from bonds to stocks is another important milestone in the unfolding of a fledgling bull market. The bullish trend of retail equities, since mid-2009, adds additional support to improving market conditions in 2010.

Investment approach: Models suggest equity markets should continue their present consolidation pattern into Q1. This pause in the longer-term upward movement of indexes is consistent with many past bull markets. This flat trading allows the fundamentals to catch-up with the technicals. Investors may wish to buy on weakness or wait for he anticipated low in January or February before adding new positions.

More research is available in the December newsletter. Go to www.technicalspeculator.com and click on member login.

Your comments are always welcomed.

• The Bureau of Economic Analysis provides time-series data on a variety of US macroeconomic variables.

• Dismal Scientist: Economic indicators, forecasts, analysis, and data for the world in real-time. $

• BMO Nesbitt-Burns International Economic Analysis and Research

• United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

• The Ecomomist.com - Economy, Politics and Finance from around the world

THE KWR INTERNATIONAL ADVISOR

• March 31, 2009: JETRO: Japan Views Green Energy as Essential for Global Economic Recovery
• February 22, 2009: KWR Special Report: Tumbling in the East
• February 12, 2009: The Next Silicon Valley: US-Japan Global Ties Scrutinized

• IMF: Reshaping the Global Economy
  The economic and financial crisis marks the end (for now) of a rapid expansion of globalization (March 2009)
   
• Economics A-Z: Pareto efficiency? Phillips Curve? Inflation? Deflation? Stagnation?
  Look up economic terms in this handy online resource, provided by The Economist

NEW: OECD Factbook 2009: The online gateway to OECD Factbook PDFs, Excel™ and interactive graphs. Access to the key indicators for the World’s leading economies is only a click away. To access all the contents free online, click here.

OECD Economic Outlook No. 85, June 2009

• Editorial, Managing the global financial crisis and the economic downturn and summary of projections, Klaus Schmidt-Hebbel, OECD Chief Economist
• Country summaries (Member, Accession and Enhanced Engagement economies)
• Flashfile: summary of projections by country (XLS)
• Reponses to inflation shocks: Do G7 countries behave differently? (special chapter)

• OECD Documentation: Statistics, Data and Indicators
  Extensive economic statistics, data, and indicators from member and non-member countries.
   
• Economic Outlook for OECD countries: an interim assessment (pdf, 588Kb, English)
  
• IMF World Economic Outlook (WEO) -- Crisis and Recovery - April 2009
• January 2009: IMF World Economic Outlook: Global Economic Slump Challenges Policies
• IMF Economic Outlooks and  IMF Country Reports by Date
   
• Commerzbank Research:  Industrial Countries
   
• Global Business Cycle Indicators - The Conference Board publishes leading, coincident, and lagging indexes designed to signal peaks and troughs in the business cycle for nine countries around the world
   
• Regional Economic Outlook - Europe: Securing Recovery
  Date: October 2009
  
  Europe's contraction is ending, but the recovery is fragile. Policymakers should look beyond the crisis to secure a durable upswing and address the threats to potential growth from the crisis and the continent's well-known structural rigidities. The report's analytical work stresses the uncertainty surrounding potential growth estimates, and the more volatile environment faced by emerging economies in a tightly integrated region. In the near term, this calls for measures to restore the financial sector to health and for continued macroeconomic support, while preparing for the exit from extraordinary interventions in a coordinated and transparent fashion. Higher longer-term growth through structural change will support the recovery, smooth the exit, and help emerging markets to adjust to lower capital inflows in the crisis' aftermath. Published biannually in May and October.
   
• Regional Economic Outlook: Asia and Pacific
  Date: October 2009
  
  Asia has rebounded fast from the depth of the global crisis. Initially, the region was hit extremely hard, with output in most countries shrinking by much more than even those nations at the epicenter of the crisis. But starting in February 2009, Asia's economy began to revive. Exports and industrial production have increased again, financial pressures have eased, confidence has largely been restored. What explains this remarkable comeback? What challenges does the recovery pose to Asian policymakers? These are the main questions addressed in the IMF's October 2009 "Regional Economic Outlook: Asia and Pacific." The report discusses the latest developments in Asia, examines the prospects for the period ahead, and considers the policy steps needed to sustain the recovery and rebalance Asia's medium-term growth.
  
  
• Regional Economic Outlook: Western Hemisphere - Crisis Averted--What's Next?
  Date: October 2009
  
  The impact of the global financial crisis and recession on the Latin America and Caribbean region was substantial, but the worst is over for most countries. The region avoided falling into a crisis of its own, performing relatively well amid strong external shocks. Many countries have now returned to growth. The region now faces the challenge of adapting to a new global environment that will not be as favorable as in the past. The latest edition of the report explores the lessons and policy agenda emerging from the recent performance of the Latin America and Caribbean region, drawing also on the broader international experience. Published biannually in May and October.
  
• Regional Economic Outlook: Middle East and Central Asia
  Date: October 2009
  
  The global economic crisis has taken a toll on the Middle East and Central Asia region, but appropriate policy responses have helped mitigate the impact. Looking ahead, the region’s oil exporters are expected to benefit from rising oil prices as the world economy begins to pull out of an unparalleled post-World War II recession. Oil importers, however, are likely to continue to face continued headwinds that may delay an uptake in growth. Where feasible, countries should continue to support domestic demand to lessen the impact of the crisis on the poor while maintaining a focus on debt sustainability. For the region's low-income countries, higher donor support will be needed to maintain economic development. Across the region, governments should further strengthen financial systems and be careful not to lose momentum on structural reforms. Published biannually in May and October.
   
• Regional Economic Outlook: Sub-Saharan Africa
  Date: October 2009
  
  Sub-Saharan Africa has been hit hard by the global recession, but signs of resilience remain. While South Africa and some other middle-income countries were caught in the turbulence of international financial markets, and oil exporters saw government revenues plunge, some countries with wider commodity bases have so far escaped the worst of the crisis. Also, and reassuringly, with stronger initial fiscal and external positions than in past downturns, most countries in the region have been able to partially absorb external shocks by allowing fiscal deficits to rise and reducing interest rates. Exchange rates have generally been allowed to adjust. With many families affected by the crisis, however, progress toward the Millennium Development Goals has receded. Looking ahead, fiscal policy must balance support for the recovery with enhancing future growth prospects, debt sustainability, and poverty reduction. Published biannually in May and October.
  Français  

• International Data Base - Produced by the U.S. Census Bureau, IDB is a data bank containing statistical tables of demographic and socio-economic data for 227 countries and areas of the world
  
• Moody's Economy.com FreeLunch.com is a great source of free economic data. Users can quickly and easily chart and download economic data. Moody's Economy.com data services teams in Asia, Europe, and the United States update FreeLunch.com's economic data as is it is released by the primary source.
   
• InfoNation - From the United Nations, this site allows users to generate customized statistical and comparative tables using current information for all UN member countries
   
• CIA World Factbook
   

• WTO  International trade and tariff data

IMF Country Surveys: Contents of Recent Issues

OECD Country Surveys

An Economic Survey is published every 1½-2 years for each OECD country and for some larger countries that are not members of the OECD, such as China, Russia and Brazil. It identifies the main economic challenges faced by the country and analyses policy options to meet them. You can find all Surveys catalogued by country.

The publication Going for Growth takes stock of growth performance for each country and identifies ways to improve productivity and employment on the basis of international benchmarking.

OECD Country summaries (31 individual PDF files, including a euro area summary)

Also see Annex Tables: 61 cross-country tables of historical data and projections (XLS)

Click on the country of your choice and all OECD documents pertaining specifically to the country will be listed. Don't miss the the "Economic Surveys" listed under "Country Surveys/Reviews/Guides".

• Argentina
• Australia
• Austria
• Belgium
• Brazil
• Canada
• China
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• European Communities
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Hong Kong (China)
• India
• Indonesia
• Ireland
• Israel
• Italy
• Japan
• Korea
• Malaysia
• Mexico

• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Russia
• Singapore
• Spain
• Sweden
• Thailand
• Turkey
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• United States

OECD Economic Surveys: An in-depth economic analysis for each Member Country (and some non-member countries)