The Question That Just Won't Go Away: Is A GLOBAL RECESSSION Coming?

The global economy is wobbling and whether it topples over is the big question in financial markets, executive suites and the corridors of power.

Investors cheered Friday as the U.S. struck a partial trade agreement with China and there were even signs the U.K. may strike a divorce deal with the European Union. But the debate over how close the world is to its first recession since 2009 may soon start swirling again.

There will certainly be discussions this week at the International Monetary Fund’s annual meeting in Washington. Bloomberg Economics’ global GDP tracker shows the pace of expansion has slowed to 2.2% in the third quarter, down from 4.7% at the start of 2018.

. . . Bond traders are certainly concerned -- $14 trillion of bonds are yielding negative rates. By contrast, equity investors have sent the MSCI World Index up 14% this year. . .

Bloomberg News/2019-10-12

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BLOGGER COMMENT: Take your pick

• "Don't panic and don't be reassured either"
• REASONS TO WORRY
• REASONS NOT TOO WORRY