Tag: Economy

Europe comprises a host of nations, each with its own unique economies, shaped by the industries that dominate their respective markets and their distinctive political bodies. Collectively, Europe’s economy represents a large share of international trade, meaning weaknesses in one country have the potential to send ripples across the world. 

With sophisticated fraud schemes evolving rapidly, credit professionals must proactively identify and mitigate these risks before they impact their organizations.  

Despite the darkening economic outlook, Italy is expecting positive economic news in the coming weeks, according to Italian Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti, as data on public finances will be published in early March.

Bob Dylan famously sang, “You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.” The market started the new year on a roller coaster, with the S&P 500 hitting an all-time high, then selling off on news of a fresh AI model from China. Many reacted by buying the dip in AI stocks, and the S&P 500 closed the month with a 2.7% gain. Mid-cap stocks outperformed their large-cap peers while small-cap continued to lag.

Tariffs, taxes or duties imposed by a government on imported or exported goods, have gained significant attention in recent months. For credit professionals, tariffs can influence trade credit terms, payment schedules and risk assessments. They may also impact the cost structure of international transactions, affecting the pricing and profitability of goods.

Drastic political instability in France has already sent ripples across the nation’s economy and continues to threaten the stability of the European Union. Previously France, alongside Germany, made up nearly half of the eurozone economy.

At the start of 2025, Egypt faces intense balance-of-payment pressures from the past year.

The Chilean government faces the challenge of balancing growth aspirations with realistic expectations in the new year.

NACM’s Credit Managers’ Index (CMI) fell 1.2 points to 54.1 in December. Coming off the 26-month high set last month, the weaker reading is driven by a large drop in sales revenue and dollars collected on due and past-due invoices.