BY DAVID ZEILER, Associate Editor, Money Morning
U.S. companies with significant exposure to Europe will take a profit hit regardless of how the Eurozone debt crisis shakes out.
The financial strain of Europe's efforts to avert default among its troubled members - Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece and Spain (PIIGS) - has set the Eurozone on course for a recession even if its efforts succeed.
Yesterday (Thursday) the European Commission dropped its forecast for growth in the Eurozone to just 0.5% from its previous estimate of 1.8% in May. The commission blamed austerity measures, which were aimed at lowering budget deficits, but ended up eroding investment and consumer confidence.
"The probability of a more protracted period of stagnation is high," said Marco Buti, head of the commission's economics division. "And, given the unusually high uncertainty around key policy decisions, a deep and prolonged recession complemented by continued market turmoil cannot be excluded."
email: info@als-alexander.org or interalex2@gmail.com
U.S. companies with significant exposure to Europe will take a profit hit regardless of how the Eurozone debt crisis shakes out.
The financial strain of Europe's efforts to avert default among its troubled members - Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece and Spain (PIIGS) - has set the Eurozone on course for a recession even if its efforts succeed.
Yesterday (Thursday) the European Commission dropped its forecast for growth in the Eurozone to just 0.5% from its previous estimate of 1.8% in May. The commission blamed austerity measures, which were aimed at lowering budget deficits, but ended up eroding investment and consumer confidence.
"The probability of a more protracted period of stagnation is high," said Marco Buti, head of the commission's economics division. "And, given the unusually high uncertainty around key policy decisions, a deep and prolonged recession complemented by continued market turmoil cannot be excluded."
email: info@als-alexander.org or interalex2@gmail.com
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