Praise for "International Economic Indicators and Central Banks"

"Anne Picker's "International Economic Indicators and Central Banks" is a tour de force. It brings together a wealth of information, explanation, and guidance, which has hitherto only been available from disparate and frequently obscure sources, and does so with great clarity and authority. It will be an invaluable resource not only for investors but for all others involved in the fields of finance and economics."
--Donald R. Anderson, OBE FRSE (UK), International Economics Advisor, formerly chief economist, Courtaulds Group

"Picker's book provides a comprehensive and up-to-date guide to the workings of key central banks, and to the economic data that informs their thinking and policy formation. The book should be required reading for those with more than a passing interest in financial markets and monetary policy formation."
--George Worthington, Chief Economist, Asia Pacific, Thomson-IFR (Australia)

""International Economic Indicators and Central Banks" is an invaluable guide for anyone doing business overseas or investing in international markets. It is thorough and precise enough for professional economists yet readily accessible to business people and investors. Anne Picker is not only an excellent communicator who demystifies central bank operations and technical economic indicators; she is also a top-notch economist with extensive experience in analyzing them. Don't read any international economic analysis without this volume close at hand."
--David A. Levy, Chairman, The Jerome Levy Forecasting Center

The most recent conversations about financial instability in International Political Economy have addressed the ongoing financial spasms of the past five years; a global financial spasm unleashed by the 2008 subprime debacle, ongoing Eurozone instability, and general price volatility in securities markets globally. Alongside and as part of these broader spasms, however, has been another key trend-the intensifying reach of global financial markets into and among those populations which live at its very edges. There are increasing, and increasingly profitable, experiments which are explicitly targeted to those without regular access to full or formalized financial practices. This book places the practices of fringe finance in critical context by situating them within a larger set of discussions in the field. Most importantly, this book is part of a much broader attempt in IPE to rethread the study of finance to questions of cultural and social theory in a meaningful manner. Finance is increasingly subjected to innovative forms of social inquiry influenced by a range of diverse methods including governmentality, actor-network theory and cultural economy. By drawing on several strands of social theory, this book contributes to this broader movement in IPE and helps open more space for the continuation of these interdisciplinary conversations. This work will be of great interest to students and scholars of IPE, development studies and economic sociology.

This book seeks to examine the basis of economic globalization, yesterday, today, and tomorrow, and to link the outcome of globalization into the context of the new economic geography. It shows how the phenomenon is exhibited in the light of current events, providing a good way to keep understand today 's world economy.

China's immersion in the world economy and trading system is a continued source of great interest throughout the globe.
The book is divided into three parts, the first being an overview of the Chinese investment environment and the development of foreign direct investment (FDI) over the last twenty years. The second part then goes on to focus specifically on the characteristics of European companies involved in FDI into China. The third part looks at different management aspects of EU invested enterprises within China, using newly acquired data.
This comprehensive overview of European direct investment in China will be of great interest to both students and academics in the fields of Chinese Economics and Business, Organisational Theory and the Theory of the Firm. The concluding business and policy implications of the book will also make it very useful to professionals and policy-makers.

The use of the US dollar for domestic monetary transactions outside the USA has gone on for many years now - Panama in 1904 being the earliest example. Since the advent of the Euro, the debate over the benefits of monetary integration has warmed up - particularly for NAFTA countries.
This collection, with contributions from experts such as Philip Arestis, Malcolm Sawyer and Stephanie Bell, examines the various problems and benefits involved in monetary integration and covers the causes of Euro instability, monetary policy in non-optimal currency unions, financial openness and dollarization and the question of dollarization in Canada.
This book addresses one of the burning policy issues in Europe and America: is monetary union worthwhile? The readable yet comprehensive style of this book will make it of interest not only to academics and students involved in European integration, financial liberalization and dollarization, but will also be an important book for policy-makers at intergovernmental level.

Nobel Prize winner James Tobin has made outstanding contributions to modern macroeconomics. In this final collection of his work he examines the economic policies of the United States and its relations with other major economies after 1990. In James Tobin's view, the welfare of populations depends uniquely on these policies and it is important to be aware of their impact.This book brings together James Tobin's recent work, both published and unpublished, on finance and globalization, currency crises and bailouts. Emphasis is placed on international economic relations and policies, and on the IMF and World Bank. In particular, economic and monetary relations among nations, exchange rate problems and policies and the 'Tobin Tax' - popular in Europe but much misunderstood - are discussed. Professor Tobin also examines the impact of his earlier work on recent US fiscal policy. The Clinton administration followed a tight fiscal policy leading to budget surpluses, and this enabled Alan Greenspan at the Federal Reserve to follow an 'easy', low interest rate, monetary policy. This mix was advocated back in the 1950s and 1960s by Paul Samuelson and James Tobin. The memo Professor Tobin wrote for the J.F. Kennedy campaign of 1960 is published for the first time. The policy was not applied until 30-35 years later. Presenting a framework for understanding monetary and fiscal policies and how they determine full employment and growth, the book will prove invaluable to students and scholars of macroeconomics, as well as economists wishing to gain an insight into Professor Tobin's unique contribution to economics.

Central banks came out of the Great Recession with increased power and responsibilities. Indeed, central banks are often now seen as 'the only game in town', and a place to put innumerable problems vastly exceeding their traditional remit. These new powers do not fit well, however, with the independence of central banks, remote from the democratic control of government. Central Banking in Turbulent Times examines fundamental questions about the central banking system, asking whether the model of an independent central bank devoted to price stability is the final resting point of a complex development that started centuries ago. It dissects the hypothesis that the Great Recession has prompted a reassessment of that model; a renewed emphasis on financial stability has emerged, possibly vying for first rank in the hierarchy of objectives of central banks. This raises the risk of dilemmas, since the Great Recession brought into question implicit assumptions that the pursuit of price stability would also lead to financial stability. In addition, the border between monetary and fiscal policy was blurred both in the US and in Europe. Central Banking in Turbulent Times asks whether the model prevailing before the Great Recession has been irrevocably altered. Are we entering, as Charles Goodhart has hypothesized, into the 'fourth epoch' of central banking? Are changes to central banks part of a move away from the global liberal order that seemed to have prevailed at the turn of the century? Central Banking in Turbulent Times seeks to answer these questions as it examines how changes can allow for the maintenance of price stability, while adapting to the long-term consequences of the Great Recession.

This introduction to all aspects of international economics, business and finance is the clearest guide available to the economics of the world we live in. Written in a highly engaging style, packed full of up-to-the minute, real-world case studies and pitched at introductory level, the book does an expert job of drawing students in and will leave them equipped with a comprehensive toolkit of methods and essential facts. Now in its fourth edition, Global Economic Issues and Policies reflects continuing changes in the world economy and in the analysis of international economics. Chapter introductions, pedagogy and data have all been thoroughly updated throughout, including the addition of a new 'Issues & Policies Notebook' feature. Key topics for expansion and revision include: Evolution of Comparative Advantage Import Quotas and Subsidies Services in Regional and Multilateral Trade Agreements Balance of Payments Accounting Unconventional Central Bank Policies Territorial versus Worldwide Taxation and "Tax Inversions" The role of Foreign Exchange Markets and Exchange-Rate Arrangements Public Policy Issues in International Money and Finance The text is suitable for any introductory module in international economics and business, whether taught as part of an economics, business or international studies program. It is also the ideal MBA level introduction to the global economy.

Following an unprecedented economic boom fed by foreign investment, the Russian Revolution triggered the worst sovereign default in history. Bankers and Bolsheviks tells the dramatic story of this boom and bust, chronicling the forgotten experiences of leading financiers of the age. Shedding critical new light on the decision making of the powerful personalities who acted as the gatekeepers of international finance, Hassan Malik narrates how they channeled foreign capital into Russia in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. While economists have long relied on quantitative analysis to grapple with questions relating to the drivers of cross-border capital flows, Malik adopts a historical approach, drawing on banking and government archives in four countries. The book provides rare insights into the thinking of influential figures in world finance as they sought to navigate one of the most challenging and lucrative markets of the first modern age of globalization. Bankers and Bolsheviks reveals how a complex web of factors-from government interventions to competitive dynamics and cultural influences-drove a large inflow of capital during this tumultuous period in world history. This gripping book demonstrates how the realms of finance and politics-of bankers and Bolsheviks-grew increasingly intertwined, and how investing in Russia became a political act with unforeseen repercussions.

This short, concrete, and to-the-point book guides students through this vast field of conflicting opinions. The book starts from the premise that students benefit most from seeing a balanced treatment of all available views. For instance, it provides coverage of both "ad hoc" and optimizing models and also explores divisions such as flexible price versus sticky price models, rationality versus irrationality, and calibration versus statistical inference. By giving consideration to each of these 'mini debates, ' this book shows how each approach has its good and bad points. "

International Macroeconomics and Finance" also excels in its integration of theoretical and empirical issues: the theory is introduced by developing the canonical model in a topic area and then its predictions are evaluated quantitatively. Both the calibration method and standard econometric methods are covered.

To avoid the 'black-box' perception that students sometimes develop, almost all of the results presented here are derived step-by-step from first principles. A conversational, logical presentation also makes this a supreme learning tool.

New Developments in Islamic Economics: Examples from Southeast Asia investigates the latest developments in a vibrant and fast-moving area of practical financial and economic study. Primarily focused on Malaysian contexts, while also presenting perspectives from Indonesia and Thailand, this book examines the Asian nations leading the world in the application of Islamic finance. Case studies analyse and discuss new and emerging issues in Islamic economics, including microtakaful, waqf, social finance and poverty alleviation from an Islamic perspective.

This important volume focuses on the origins, growth and impact over time of multinational banks. Why have banks established branches in foreign countries? What do such banks do? How have they performed? What has been the developmental impact of international banking? How has multinational banking changed over time? Why have banking activities clustered in international financial centres such as New York, Tokyo and London? The articles in this selection cover a wide range of national experiences including those of the United States, Canada, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. The volume brings together literature from a range of disciplines, including banking, economics and business history in a comprehensive collection of the best articles published on the development of multinational banks.

Throughout their long history, the primary concern of central banks has oscillated between price stability in normal times and financial stability in extraordinary times. In the wake of the recent global financial crisis, central banks have been given additional responsibilities to ensure financial stability, which has sparked intense debate over the nature of their role. Bankers and policy makers face an enormous challenge finding the right balance of power between the central bank and the state. This volume is the result of an international conference held at Norges Bank (the central bank of Norway). International experts and policy makers present research and historical analysis on the evolution of the central bank. They specifically focus on four key aspects: its role as an institution, the part it plays within the international monetary system, how to delineate and limit its functions, and how to apply the lessons of the past two centuries.

The fifth edition of Maurice D. Levi's classic textbook has been updated to incorporate the massive changes in the world of international finance of the past few years. In particular, the emergence of new markets is given broad coverage - particularly the rise to financial prominence of China and India and other growth economies in Asia and elsewhere. Key features of the book include: the impact of globalization and the greater connectedness of national economies and the world economy as a whole probably the best introduction to exchange rates available and how they directly impact upon firms as well as governments the continued massive impact of multinational corporations on the global financial scene as well as the opportunities presented by e-commerce. The material is interlaced with a wealth of supplementary material including real world case studies, review questions, examples and objectives. The result is the most authoritative survey of international finance currently available. Thoroughly updated and with a large amount of new information, this text will prove an indispensable guide to the inner workings of international finance to students of economics and business as well as professionals in the finance industry.

Principles of International Finance, first published in 1988, provides a comprehensive introduction to international finance which is rapidly becoming an increasingly important branch of international economics. The book is structured so that it can easily be adopted as a complete one-semester course in international finance and is divided into the four major divisions of international finance: The Foreign Exchange Market and the Balance of Payments; Exchange Rate Systems; Equilibrium and the Adjustment Process and The Post-War International Financial System. This book is designed for economics and business undergraduates studying international finance for the first time. It is non-mathematical and presumes no more than a general background in macroeconomics.

Wars, violence, and natural disasters often require mental health interventions with people from a multitude of ethnic groups, religions, and nationalities. Within the United States, those who care for the victims of trauma often assist individuals from a variety of immigrant cultures. Moreover, many aspiring mental health professionals from other countries seek training in the United States, creating an additional need for a broad cultural awareness within educational institutions. Honoring Differences deals with the treatment of trauma and loss while recognizing and understanding the cultural context in which the mental health professional provides assistance. Training in the cultural beliefs that may interact with traumatic reactions is essential, both to assess traumatic response accurately and to prevent harm in the process of assessing and treating trauma. Various cultures within the United States and several international communities are featured in the book. Each culturally-specific chapter aims to help the caregiver honor the valued traditions, main qualities, and held beliefs of the culture described and prepare to enter the community well-informed and well-equipped to intervene or consult effectively. Further more, the book provides information about issues, traditions, and characteristics of the culture, which are essential in moving through the phases of post-trauma or other mental health intervention. Mental health professionals, trauma specialists, missionaries, and organizations that send consultants to other nations, will find HonoringDifferences essential reading. It will also be a resource to those who are interested in cultural differences and in honoring the belief systems of other cultures and nations.

In this thought-provoking work, writer and journalist John Plender explores the model of capitalism advocated by English-speaking countries and asks the following pertinent questions:

• Why are developing countries financing the world's richest economy, instead of the other way round?

• How have the markets come to appear so unstable?

• What is causing the erosion of the wealth creation process? and

• Is the conventional view of this model actually correct?

First published in 1989, The Economics of the Swap Market looks at how the swap has become a commonplace tool for corporations throughout the OECD world to 'lock-in' interest rates on their borrowing. The aim of The Economics of the Swap Market, is to contribute to a redressing of the balance. Subjects covered include both those conventionally falling within the scope of micro-economics and of macroeconomics, beginning with an examination of the forces behind the take-off the swap market and a formal setting out of key arbitrage relationships which hold in equilibrium between the swap markets on international capital flow.

The Trade and Receivables Finance Companion: A Collection of Case Studies and Solutions is based on the author's personal experience gained through more than 40 years in the field of trade finance. This Companion applies the techniques described in his first volume, Trade and Receivables Finance: A Practical Guide to Risk Evaluation and Structuring to an extensive range of international trade scenarios. Practical solutions are discussed and presented through a specially selected collection of more than 20 case studies. These books provide an unrivalled and highly practical set of manuals for the trade and receivables financier. The reader is taken on a journey from the structuring of trade products including collections, import and export letters of credit, back to back credits, guarantees and standby credits to fully and partially structured financing solutions for the importer, manufacturer, distributor, middle-party and exporter. Each funding technique provides a compelling alternative to an overdraft. The case studies include the risk assessment and financing of open account payables, stock and receivables transactions and the evaluation and use of credit insurance as a supporting tool. The structuring of commodity finance across the trade cycle, to include warehousing, and call-off is also described. Many of the chapters contain a summary 'keynote' overview and comprehensive 'deal sheet' extracts of the chosen solution detailing facility and operational requirements.

Completely updated and revised, the second edition of International Financial Economics: Corporate Decisions in Global Markets applies the principles of financial economics to explain how international corporate finance decisions are made in the real world.
Written from a practical, financial perspective versus one of pure economic theory, the text is divided into three sections. The first section provides a comprehensive discussion of exchange rates. The next section offers an in-depth look at a firm's foreign exchange exposure measurement and hedging. The material highlights the connection between foreign exchange exposure in profit and foreign exchange exposure in equity, as well as the impact of foreign currency debt and currency swaps. The third section examines overseas investment decisions in both countries integrated with the global financial market and those still segmented from it. Coverage emphasizes the cost of capital and accounting for overseas investments and hedging of foreign exchange risk.
International Financial Economics: Corporate Decisions in Global Markets is ideal for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses in global financial management.
Features
Employs a practical, financial perspective with real-world applications
Includes expanded material on currency swaps to show their role in foreign exchange exposure management
Offers a detailed description of economic foreign exchange exposure
Provides additional material on overseas investment decisions when exchange rates are not correctly valued

This book provides first-hand insights on the modern considerations governing official reserve holdings and investment in different asset classes. Tremendous growth of central bank reserves has led to an increased focus on raising returns in addition to the traditional preference central banks have for maintaining liquid portfolios. Leading experts from central banks, investment banks and the academic community elucidate on this and related issues.The expert contributors adopt a unique approach in their explicit linkage of the increased focus on return by central banks and the implications of new accounting rules (IFRS) for income recognition and profit distribution. They also address the welfare gains and costs of accumulating foreign exchange reserves and the implications for the functioning of the global financial system, as well as: asset and currency diversification changing reserve management practices in the face of steeply growing official reserve holdings new risk management techniques profit distribution agreements. Central Bank Reserve Management will prove a valuable information resource for researchers and academics with an interest in central banking issues and asset management, financial sector, government and central bank officials, and representatives of international financial institutions.

This definitive description and analysis of the Japanese main bank system describes a form of relationship banking of significant theoretical and policy interest. As well as being important in its own right, the system also has relevance for developing market economies and transforming socialist economies; the extent of this relevance is another aspect of this thorough empirical and theoretical analysis based on both Japanese and non-Japanese expertise. The basic characteristics of the main bank system are examined here - its roots, development, and role in the heyday of Japan's post-war rapid growth - and its performance, strengths, and weaknesses are observed. The volume goes on to examine how the system has changed and what its appropriate role is as deregulation, liberalization, and internationalization of Japan's financial markets have proceeded over the past two decades and a new issue securities market has blossomed. One conclusion that emerges is that banking-based systems are in most cases the most appropriate for industrial financing until a rather late stage of a country's economic and financial development. The volume aims to identify the conditions under which banks are better able than securities market institutions to evaluate the creditworthiness of borrowers and the viability of new projects, to monitor the ongoing performance of firms, and to rescue or liquidate firms in distress. This is the result of a major Economic Development Institute of the World Bank research project, in cooperation with the Center for Economic Policy at Stanford University and the Center on Japanese Economy and Business at Columbia University, that brought together some of the best scholars inthe field, and will be of interest to Japan specialists and those with a general interest in systems of finance.

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, first opened in 2016, is a 100 billion dollar multilateral development bank purpose-built to support infrastructure projects that enhance regional economic productivity. Its arms reach far: in its first two years, AIIB has financed transport systems such as national motorways in Pakistan, railways in Oman, and rural roads in India; energy projects including natural gas pipelines in Azerbaijan and hydropower plants in Tajikistan; and the redevelopment of impoverished areas in Indonesia. Initiated by China, its membership is global, with regional powers from Korea to Saudi Arabia, and key players from Europe, Africa, and Latin America. In a text that will appeal to general readers and legal specialists alike, Natalie Lichtenstein examines the Bank's mandate, investment operations, finance, governance, and institutional set up, as well as providing detailed analyses of the similarities and differences it has with other development banks - charting AIIB's story so far and anticipating its future.

Acclaim for Trader's Tales

"I have rarely gone through a day without hearing a joke about Wall Street. Ron Insana captures the essence of the culture that creates those jokes with one hilarious tale after another. This book is great fun." —Stanley Druckenmiller Managing Director, Soros Fund Management.

"Ribald tales and outrageous jokes are as much a part of Wall Street as subordinated debentures, and Ron Insana has sifted through years of financial lore to collect the best of them. A funny, funny book, certain to draw a chuckle and a wry smile of recognition from even the stiffest Masters of the Universe." —Bryan Burrough Coauthor, Barbarians at the Gate.

"You can't beat Wall Street for witty and outrageous behavior. Ron Insana captures it." —Michael Steinhardt Managing Partner, Steinhardt Partners.

"Having worked on Wall Street for 20 years, I thought I had heard and seen it all. The secrets revealed in this book, however, are absolutely shocking." —Elaine Garzarelli Director, Garzarelli Capital, Inc.

"Wall Street has lots of traders' tales which bring us insight into the lighter side of our business. This book should bring fun for us all." —Mario Gabelli Chairman, Gabelli Funds, Inc.