The decline in commodity prices that began with metals and agriculture four years ago—joined by crude oil in mid-2014—continued in 2015Q1 (Figure 1). Energy, metals, and agricultural prices were down 28, 11, and 5 percent, respectively, from the previous quarter. Increasing supplies, bumper...

"Je höher man steigt, umso tiefer der Fall" - auf wohl kein Phänomen trifft dieser Ausspruch so gut zu wie auf Finanzkrisen. Steigen die Preise für ein Spekulationsobjekt in immer gröe︢re Höhen und erhitzt sich der Markt immer mehr, ist die Folge meist ein abrupter Fall: Die Blase platzt!...

Over the last sixty years, Ireland has experienced profound economic, social, technological, occupational, cultural, and demographic changes. It has emerged from the most recent economic crisis stronger than ever and remains committed to its vision of a nation of people armed with the relevant...

The World Bank Treasury's Reserve Advisory and Management Partnership (RAMP) conducted its third survey on reserve management practices in 2021. One hundred and nineteen central banks, from different regions, income groups, and reserve levels, contributed to the survey, which included questions...

Implicit contingent liabilities, such as those generated by natural disasters, are often not quantified in the government balance sheet. However, when they materialize, they place pressure on government finances that may raise interest expenditures and financial risks. Understanding the impacts...