The immediate reaction of pundits in the financial world to the Brexit vote in the UK was one of shock, quickly followed by near-panic. Share prices had been buoyant just before the vote, in the belief that a Remain result was assured. But they fell sharply on the day the result was announced, and they fell further on the following trading day. The general view was that Brexit would lead to significant economic disruption and, in all probability, recession.

In February 2014, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released data on the Australian employment and unemployment for the January 2014 month.

The third quarter has seen a 7.8% growth in China, which has helped the Chinese economy to remain in a stable position, compared to the year before.

On the 17th October 2013 the United States of America Treasury estimates that it will no longer be able to sell bonds to raise money to pay for Federal Government expenses.

The release of three major US economic indicators over the last two weeks, are all pointing to the fact the US economy has been picking up steam since March 2013. If the US economy can sustain this stronger growth over the coming year than the US economy will be in good shape to sustain strong growth over the coming years. A strong growing US economy will go a long way in helping the global economy; including New Zealand’s economy to grow at a higher level.

In July 2013, the United States of America’s (US) Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS) has released data on the US’s employment and unemployment for the June 2013 month. In the month of June 2013, America’s non-farm employment increased by 195,000 to 144 million, after a 195,000 increase in the May 2013 month.

As widely publicised, the first quarter of 2013 saw China replace Australia as the main destination for New Zealand’s exports. What is also worth noting is the speed of change that has occurred in getting to this position.This is notable as it indicates a momentum, and potential, for the future.

Julia Gillard’s Australian Federal Government released their budget for the 2013-14 year on Tuesday 14 May 2013. The Australian government’s budget like so many around the world, including New Zealand, is aimed at returning the Australian Government’s books to a surplus.

While employment rose in March 2013, it was the smallest increase in monthly employment since June 2012, according to the released data on the US’s employment and unemployment for the March 2013 month by the United States of America’s (US) Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS) The average monthly increase over the year to March 2013 was 159,000.

On Monday 25th March (NZ time), the Cypriot Government along with the heads of the European Union (EU), the European Central Bank, and the International Monetary Fund, came to an agreement about how Cyprus would raise the €5.8 billion from its banking sector.

The Australian GDP grew by 0.6 percent for the December quarter of 2012. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on the 6th March 2013 released their data on the real Australian GDP growth.

China is looking to enforce paid annual leave more rigorously to ensure that most workers can enjoy better holidays by 2020. Currently, the length of paid annual leave varies, but largely depends on how long one has served in his or her current workplace.

GDP growth in the fourth quarter of 2012 dropped by 0.1 percent according to the data release on 30th January 2013 by the United States of America’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA).

On 12th December 2012 the US Federal Reserve announced, for the first time, its explicit stimulus thresholds. The Federal Reserve announced that it will hold official rates at 0.25 percent for as long as the US unemployment rate was above 6.5 percent, and that inflation two years out is no more than 0.5 percent above the Federal Reserve 2 percent long-run goal.

The United States of America’s (US) Bureau of Economic Analysis has released data on the US GDP for the September 2012 quarter.

Australian GDP and unemployment data for the June 2012 quarter reveals that, overall, the Australian economy continues to grow strongly. But, the fact that the Reserve Bank of Australia has been lowering the Official Cash Rate throughout 2012 is an indicator that the RBA is worried that this growth will not continue without some help.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released data on the Australian GDP for the March 2012 quarter.