January Issue of St. Louis Fed's The Regional Economist Now Available

ST. LOUIS – The January 2012 issue of The Regional Economist, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis’ quarterly review of business and economic conditions, is now available.  The full issue can be accessed online at www.stlouisfed.org/publications

The issue’s articles include:

• “Financing International Trade” – The collapse of trade during the financial crisis can be tied, for the most part, to a drop in demand.  Less talked about is the role that trade financing, or the lack thereof, had in causing the collapse of international trade.  

• “Emerging Markets:  A Source of and Destination for Capital” – Increasingly, emerging markets are becoming a source of growth in the global economy.  For example, foreign direct investment into and out of these countries has shown a phenomenal increase since 2000.

• “On the Road to Recovery, Soft Patches Turn Up Often” –Three things to know about soft patches:  There is no universally accepted definition.  They are not always harbingers of the next recession.  They turn up often during recoveries.  

• “Starting a Business During a Recovery” – After previous recessions, startups exceeded closures during the recovery phase.  But this time, it’s different.

• “Eighth District Housing Crisis Is Similar to the Nation’s” – The housing crisis in the District has been similar to the nation’s, although the former has been a bit milder.  In both cases, prices today are far off their peak of about five years ago.  However, if sales of distressed homes are excluded, the change in prices has not been as dramatic.

• “The Economy Should Be Able to Avoid a Recession in 2012” – Toward the end of 2011, the economy picked up steam, although modestly.  Further strengthening is expected this year, despite high unemployment, weak household income growth and a housing market saddled with too many homes for sale.

• “Online Extra:  Don’t Count on Consumer Spending” – Consumer spending has long been the engine of U.S. and global economic growth.  But five trends in 2011 suggest that such spending can no longer be counted on.  Read this online-only  article at www.stlouisfed.org/publications   

• “Community Profile:  Grenada, Miss.” – Even as the number of people who work in manufacturing continues to shrink nationwide, this tiny town in northern Mississippi continues to show blue-collar strength.