Money Talks

The IMF says global financial markets are headed for further volatility as central banks raise interest rates and introduce other measures to rein in inflation. The fund expects commodity prices to continue facing turbulence while stocks and cryptocurrencies extend losses. It also expects a slowdown in new stock listings.

For more on the story, we were joined by Agnes Gitau, who is GBS Africa Managing Partner in London. She also sits on the board of the Eastern Africa Association.

#EmergingCountires #GlobalInflation #IMF

Stocks in China are in the red as monetary authorities in Beijing held off on cutting interest rates, which would have given the world's second-largest economy a boost. Instead, the Chinese central bank has announced more modest stimulus measures aimed at helping homeowners, small businesses and logistics firms.

Craig Erlam joined us from London. He is a senior market analyst at OANDA.

#ChinaEconomy #ChinaLockdown #InterestRates

Oil prices rose on Tuesday as investors worried about tight global supply. Libya has halted production at its largest oilfields and suspended exports. The OPEC member's oil output is expected to be halved as protesters force the closure of major facilities. Factories in Shanghai are reopening, propping up demand from the world's second-largest economy.

For the details of the story we were joined by Naeem Aslam. He's chief market analyst at AvaTrade in London.

#Libya #OilFieldShutdown #OilPrices

Chinese economic data is weighing on stocks. Although GDP expanded in the first quarter, sluggish retail sales and employment numbers are making investors nervous over the future prospects of the world's second-largest economy.

Einar Tangen is an independent affairs commentator and senior fellow at Taihe Institute. He joined us from Beijing to discuss more on China’s economy.

#ChinaEconomy #ChinaGDP #ChinaLockdown

Rising price levels are unleashing a slew of challenges, particularly for the world's poorest economies. The World Bank has warned that food and fuel shortages may spark unrest in several African countries. And Oxfam is calling on international lenders to do more to address rising poverty and hunger.

We spoke to Nabil Ahmed, the head of executive strategy and communications at Oxfam in Nairobi. He says governments should take action to reduce the impact of the Russia-Ukraine tensions on vulnerable communities.

#Poverty #FoodShortage #Oxfam

Russia's attack on Ukraine is worsening supply constraints that have lingered since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Prices of wheat, corn and other grains have soared 25% since the war began on the 24th of February. Prices at the petrol pump have surged as the threat to crude oil supplies rises. The benchmark barrel, WTI, is at least 10% more expensive compared to just two months ago.

We were joined by Joseph Foudy in New York. He's an economics professor at the NYU Stern School of Business.

#RussiaAttacksUkraine #Inflation #FoodPrices

The New York International Auto Show is making its post-pandemic return following a two-year hiatus. The latest and greatest cars from around the world are on display, with EVs in the spotlight. Carmakers are showcasing dozens of hybrid and fully electric vehicles at the show, thanks to a recent boom in consumer interest.

#NewYork #InternationalAutoShow #ElectricVehicles

Türkiye's southeastern province of Hatay aims to attract a record number of tourists this year. The area has a lot to offer. It's one of the country's gastronomy hotspots, so it's an ideal destination for foodies. History buffs can also take in the remains of the more than a dozen civilisations that have occupied the region over two millennia. But Hatay has been held back by inadequate infrastructure, a problem local officials are now hoping to fix. Paolo Montecillo has more.

#Hatay #Hudo #TürkiyeTourism

Rising interest rates are discouraging people from swiping their credit cards, and taking on loans for homes, cars and other big purchases. A number of large banks reported their first quarter financial results this week, and all of them have seen earnings from commercial lending slide.

#InterestRates #BankEarnings #MarketMovers

Sri Lanka has suspended all payments of foreign loans and has begun defaulting on billions of dollars of its international debt. The country's foreign currency reserves have plunged to less than $500M. That leaves the import-dependent economy gasping for food and fuel shipments. And as Tayyibe Aydin reports, that's building pressure on the government to step down.

Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu is the founder and executive director of the Centre for Policy Alternatives in Colombo. He told us more about the current situation in Sri Lanka and what a loan from the IMF would mean for the country.

#SriLanka #SriLankaEconomy #EconomicCrisis