Global Economic Analysis and News of Note
- According to the International Monetary Fund, India’s economy is expected to expand 7.5 percent this year while China’s economy will grow by 6.8 percent this year and 6.3 percent next year.
- China’s economic growth rate did slow in the first quarter of 2015, dropping to a seven percent annualized rate from 7.3 percent in the last quarter of 2014. According to Reuters, the pace was the lowest in six years, but was in line with analysts’ expectations.
- Chinese exports fell 15 percent from February to March while imports declined 12.7 percent. According to The Associated Press, the drop “fueled fears” that first quarter economic growth fell further than expected and represented “not only monthly volatility but also further weakness in foreign trade.”