IMF says, Cuts forecast for global expansion remains elusive

It has reduced its figure to 3.1% from the 3.3% it predicted in July. The 2016 forecast is down to 3.6% from 3.8%.

"A return to robust and synchronized global expansion remains elusive," the IMF says.

The report also warns that the risks of an outcome worse than its forecasts are more pronounced than they were just a few months ago.

The sharpest downgrades are for emerging economies, especially Brazil, Nigeria, South Africa and Russia.

So the IMF is still predicting growth, but it is distinctly lacklustre growth, especially for the current year.

Modest recovery

 

African Bond Index expands, Transparency to most liquid Market by AfDB

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has expanded the African Bond Index as Botswana and Namibia join index family bringing transparency to most liquid markets.

 

The AfDB, through the African Financial Markets Initiative (AFMI), launched its AfDB/AFMISM Bloomberg® African Bond Index (ABABI) in February 2015.  Calculated by Bloomberg Indices, the composite index is currently comprised of the Bloomberg South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria and Kenya local currency sovereign indices and will be joined from October 2015 by Botswana and Namibia.