The field of economics is undergoing a revolution, becoming more relevant, accurate, timely, and empirical by using technology to track everything, all the time. Our economics columnist explains how plentiful data is drastically changing the way policy is structured and decisions are made.Continue Reading
The COVID-19 has, unequivocally, triggered a global crisis comparable in size to historical precedents such as the Great Recession of 2008. While the two may be similar in their ramifications, the current crisis differs significantly from the 2008 crisis. This article discusses noteworthy insights for policymakers and investors alike. Continue Reading
MercadoLibre is commonly referred to as the ‘Amazon of Latin America.’ Both an online marketplace and a payments platform, the company operates in a region with tremendous potential, one that has yet to undergo a digital transformation of retail. In this article, Community columnist Aditi Somayajula explains why MercadoLibre is one to watch.Continue Reading
The U.S. dollar finds itself as the currency of the global economy. In extreme circumstances, many countries even replace their own sovereign currencies for the dollar, in hopes of bringing much-needed economic stability. The dollar’s dominance, however, is not uncontested and its use is not without drawbacks.Continue Reading
A total of 101 incidents at various banks across Lebanon from November 1 to January 13, including sit-ins, minor and violent scuffles, hostage taking, and forklifts blocking bank entrances, have only contributed to the exponential decline in consumer confidence in local banks. To regain political balance and hopefully reinvigorate foreign stimulus to abate the rising economic disaster, a new Prime Minister, Professor Hassan Diab, was installed. However, this decision—one that was backed by the US-delegated terrorist militant group Hezbollah—has not sat well with citizens, as they believe the new candidate was selected by the same political elites behind past political corruption in Lebanon.Continue Reading
The credit card business has since been recovering since the Great Recession when banks drastically cut consumer lending as they scrambled to reduce risky loans. The number of people with credit cards has since increased, from 152 million in 2010 to 176 million in 2017. At the same time, the number of credit card accounts in the U.S increased from 386 million to 455 million in 2017. Alongside a modest increase in the average number of cards each person holds, more people are getting a credit card for the first time.Continue Reading