Knowledge Center

• Economic Outlook: A Pivotal Year Ahead

  Global financial markets remain fragile and subject to sharp moves based on the latest headlines. With Europe on the cusp of recession, China laboring through the downside of a property bubble, and the U.S. heading towards its most important election cycle in decades, there will be no quick end to the uncertainty that has made investing a difficult enterprise. Download the full paper describing the pivotal year ahead.

• North Korea’s Leadership Transition Raises Questions

  In a year marked by volatility, the death of Kim Jong II adds a further level of uncertainty to the Korean peninsula. While an orderly transition appears to be taking place, the previous leader’s transition had been planned and prepared for over a 20-year period versus just a few years for the current transition.

• Podcast: December 2011 Federal Open Market Committee

  Although the U.S. economy strengthened over the course of the year, there were many exogenous events that placed a heavy burden on the FOMC. For the Committee, the year ended much as it began—with economic growth visible, but moving at a slower pace than everyone would like to see.