If you are one of those people watching the gas prices rising everyday then you are not alone! The price of petroleum has jumped by more than 20% in June. How is this affecting the global economy? Wachovia reported Friday that this has caused a more than expected increase in import prices, rising about 3.2 percent in June.

Non-oil import prices did not change much. Biggest increases for non-oil products were about 0.2 percent. This caused the year-to-year inflation rates to be down. Therefore we should see a downward pressure on prices for most products.

Oil prices are predicted to decline in July and in the coming months. This should continue the downward slope of import prices as well as other non-oil products. Overall it looks like we might be seeing some relief at the gas pump for a little while longer. Will the prediction follow through and what can we see from the global economy in the coming months?

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Wachovia reports consumer credit outstanding in May, showing a $3.-2 billion decline. Though this seems like a big amount, this drop is smaller than expected. Judging by the last three straight months of steep decline the expected drop for May was to be much greater. This was mainly due to increased amount of retail sales. What does this tell us? Perhaps we are seeing a little bit of a rebound in the economy.

The report also shows a 3.7 percent decline in revolving credit (e.g. credit cards) and a 0.3 percent decline in non-revolving credit (e.g. loans). This is, of course, consistent with the fact that consumers are not eager to spend money. Report shows that nominal personal consumption expenditures declined 1.8 percent year-over-year. This is the worst we have seen it since 1960 folks! Lenders have no choice but to cut credit lines and raise minimum payments.

Though the numbers are looking bad, there is no doubt that lower numbers still were expected. So what does this tell us? Is it good news or still bad news for our economy?

Post your comments and concerns below or email them to psingh@rempower.com!

The International Monetary Fund forecast: “the worst recession in the developed world.” Dublin Ireland a land in which property crippled banks are struggling to remain open. A Washington based lender claims “its economy shrink 8.5 percent this year, unemployment rise from the current 11.8 percent to 15.5 percent next year, and lose euro35 billion ($49 billion) — about 20 percent of its gross domestic product — in defaulting loans chiefly to property developers.” Originally the numbers were much lower and to combat this growing deficit the government of Ireland is raising taxes and cutting spending. In attempts to reduce spending Ireland resorts to an infamous method known as cutting back, cutting back on welfare that is.

How does this recession affect the world economic status?

Will Irelands struggle to remain in the Euro Zone be short lived?

Can such a deficit be possible in the United States?

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Companies are rushing out to sell their stocks, should we be rushing to buy? In May the companies of the US Market sold a record breaking amount of stock around 64 billion dollars worth. In June the trend continued. Stock prices are high causing companies to sell to ensure they get the most money back. Since March, the yield on the 10-year treasury has jumped from 2.5% to 3.8%, sending prices­ — which move in the opposite direction — ­­down a staggering 34%. Due to this rise in prices inflation will take hold during the next couple of years where as other nations such as China have economy’s that are uprising.What are the implications of such inflation during this time of deficit and penny pinching?

What effect does this have on business and real estate?

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If you have not heard - your dues are going up to renew your MD license!  Lucky you!  Well don’t feel left out as DC has increased there fee by $50.00 due to the mayor taking millions from the real estate guaranty and education fund.  But that is another story.
So if you are wondering how much it is going up after March 1, 2009, it is the following: (more…)