Business and Economics > Investments: Stocks
Abstract
The main focus of this report is the outlook for the region in the face of the downturn now projected for the U.S. economy and the continuing risks that affect the global outlook. Overall the region is better placed than in the past to navigate the current financial turbulence, given reduced vulnerabilities and stronger policy frameworks. Nonetheless, the report points to risks that the global financial stress could curtail capital flows to the region and world commodity prices could fall more than expected. There are also risks arising from rising inflation and rapid private credit growth in a number of countries. The report then explores the policy options facing governments in the region, underscoring the need to preserve the gains of recent years
Abstract
Este informe se focaliza principalmente en las perspectivas para la región en el contexto de la crisis que se proyecta para la economÃa de Estados Unidos y los persistentes riesgos que afectan a las perspectivas mundiales. En general, la región está en mejores condiciones que en el pasado para navegar por la actual turbulencia financiera, dado que las vulnerabilidades son menores y se han fortalecido los marcos de polÃtica económica. No obstante, el informe señala el riesgo de que la tensión financiera mundial limite los flujos de capitales hacia la región y de que los precios mundiales de las materias primas bajen más de lo previsto. También existen riesgos derivados de la creciente inflación y de la rápida expansión del crédito privado en varios paÃses. El informe explora las opciones de polÃtica de que disponen los gobiernos de la región, subrayando la necesidad de preservar los logros alcanzados en los últimos años.
Abstract
This study prepared by the Commodities Division of the Research Department reviews and analyzes the developments in commodity markets.
Abstract
This paper provides an analysis of the market developments in 1988 with respect to primary commodities and the outlook for these commodities in the near and medium term. Attention is focused on the major nonfuel primary commodities traded in international markets. Movements in the overall price index and in price indices for the major groups of commodities have been mirrored by an inverse movement in stocks of commodities. Beginning-of-year stocks of all nonfuel commodities—measured in terms of months of consumption—increased during the first half of the 1980s and peaked in 1986. Movements in primary commodity prices convey important information in several ways: they signal changes in the major source of export earnings for most developing countries; they indicate changes in a significant component of the cost of producing many manufactured goods; and they may be a helpful leading indicator of changes in inflation in industrial countries. The negotiating groups established for the Uruguay Round met on a number of occasions throughout the year to discuss a wide range of issues.
Abstract
This paper provides an analysis of recent developments relating to the major nonfuel primary commodities entering international trade. Particular attention is given to market price movements in 1986 and to the factors underlying these movements. In the case of some agricultural markets, changes in commodity-specific policies of industrial countries have also had the effect of increasing supplies and competition for markets. The other factors, including rates of inflation, exchange rate changes, and interest rates, have also influenced commodity prices, at least when measured in nominal dollar terms. The evolution of economic activity in the industrial countries is most relevant in explaining movements in prices of metals and other raw materials used in industry, while movements in prices of food and beverages are better explained by supply factors. Changes in production capacity resulting from investment decisions made in earlier years can have an important influence on commodity prices.
Abstract
This paper provides an analysis of recent developments relating to the major nonfuel primary commodities (hereafter referred to as commodities) entering international trade. The unit value of manufactured exports in dollar terms also increased every year from 1972 to 1980; the rate of increase was 1 2 percent per annum. The persistent upward trend in dollar prices of commodities that characterized much of the 1970s ended in 1980. In addition to the movements in exchange rates outlined above, which determine the differences in price movements when measured in different currencies, the factors shown in various studies to have the greatest impact on current commodity prices are the rates of world inflation, the level of economic activity in the major markets for primary commodities, and the supply of the commodities concerned. Econometric studies have shown a positive relationship between commodity prices and inflation. In one study, changes in domestic wholesale prices of the industrial countries were found to have a significantly positive relationship to commodity prices with an elasticity of about one.