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The article reports on the increase in the value of advanced Australian resource projects under development in the six months to October 2009. According to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics, the value of advanced resource projects rose 41% to 112.46 billion Australian dollars.

The article reports on the challenge facing the government of President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela as the country's economy declines. It notes that the economic output in the third quarter of 2009 dropped 4.5% in comparison to the third period in 2008. According to the central bank, the economic activity of the private sector fell 5.8% in the third quarter. A 0.5% economic expansion has been predicted by the government in 2010.

The article reports on the economic expansion in euro-zone countries in the third quarter of 2009. Germany, the biggest economy of Europe, is said to lead the recovery with an annualized rate of expansion of 2.9%. Economist Julian Callow of Barclays Capital forecasts that Europe will be the weakest region for global expansion in 2010. Growth rates in the continent are said to be behind the U.S. economy.

The article looks at the long road to reform of Germany as of September 2009. The financial crisis is said to have highlighted the challenges facing the country. It notes the potential for the German economy to expand by 1% in the second half of the year despite the small domestic stimulus spending. Also stressed is the significance of reducing taxes for lower-paid workers and encouraging more young people to work.

The author looks at the significance of a revival in merger-arbitrage activity in the securities industry in the U.S. in 2009. There was an 8% gain in hedge funds focused on merger-arbitrage this year. Arbitrage activity is attributed to less competition in the merger sector. He predicts that arbitragers will have more deals to take advantage of if the confidence of corporate executives improves due to the continuing expansion of the economy.

This article deals with the slight economic growth posted by Japan in the second quarter of 2009. A 0/6% gain was posted by Japan's gross domestic product (GDP) during the quarter, according to the Cabinet Office. The projected economic expansion for the quarter was 0.9%. Some key parts of the economy are still struggling as highlighted by the revised GDP figures. There are cost-control efforts by companies in Japan since they do not expect a solid improvement in the near term.

The article presents an outlook for the recovery of the U.S. economy as of 2009. The factors that hinder economic recovery include trouble with spending and lending, a decline in consumer confidence, and the impact of the credit shock. According to proponents of the slow-growth view, the economy is more likely to expand at a 1 percent to 2 percent rate over 2010.

The article discusses signs of economic recovery in the U.S. A report on manufacturing from the Institute for Supply Management is expected to show improvement. A government program to encourage trade-ins of older, less-fuel-efficient vehicles has generated substantial car sales. Low inventory levels could also prod productivity.

This article reports on the plan by China-Africa Development Fund to raise two billion U.S. dollars to assist in the expansion of business ties between China and Africa. The fund was founded by state-owned China Development Bank Corp. The fund was created in 2007 with an initial capital of 1 billion U.S. dollars. It is also noted that the fund intends to increase its capital to five billion U.S. dollars. Meanwhile, the Communist Party leaders in China plan to maintain its economic expansion policy.

The article reports on the impact of the global economic crisis on the potential growth rate of the euro-zone economy. According to the European Central Bank (ECB), annual rates of potential output growth are predicted to fall below 1 percent in the period 2009-2010. Staff of the ECB in 2007 predicted a 2.6 percent expansion of the bloc.

The article discusses earnings for Fedex Corp. A quarterly earnings report due June 17, 2009 is expected to show a 64% profit decline relative to the year-ago period. A key challenge facing the firm is keeping costs under control without compromising its ability to grow when the economy improves. The speed and timing of that recovery are in doubt, though.

The article reports that the global financial crises did not deter Persian Gulf States to invest in sub-Saharan Africa. The International Monetary Fund forecasts that the region's economy will expand 3.5 percent in 2009 and 5 percent in 2010. Among the interests of Arab investors are ports, agriculture and telecommunications, as well as minerals and oil patches.

The article reports on the 41% drop posted by Brazil's Ibovespa Index in 2008, which has led to another expected drop in the first quarter of 2009. It points out that the decline took place due to an economic expansion of about 5%, with investors cashing out after the expansion amid threats of economic downturn. Different economic forecasts of analysts are noted, stressing the emergence of blue chips and dividend-paying companies in Brazil by 2009.

The article reports on the optimistic outlook for the Indonesian advertising industry for 2009. The Indonesian Association of Advertising Agencies forecasts advertising spending to grow between 15 percent and 20 percent during the year. Part of the reason for resilient advertising spending is that the country's economy is expected to expand strongly this year even if it fall shy of an earlier 6 percent growth target.

The article discloses the effect of the global credit crisis as India delays its infrastructure projects as initiatives for economic boost. Report says that almost half of the nation's highway improvement projects worth more than $6 billion would be put on hold. This translates to putting at risk about 3,700 miles of much-needed highway improvements in India. India's infrastructure deficit is said to be greater that most countries after five years of average economic expansion close to 9 per cent.

The article discusses the 4 trillion yuan economic stimulus package unveiled by the government of China. The economic stimulus package is aimed at boosting domestic growth in conjunction with interest rate cuts. It states that the package may also improve fiscal conditions in Asia. It outlines the problems that China may face if its economic growth continue to decline.

The article reports on a series of seven explosions in Bangalore, India which killed one person and injured more than 15. Accordingly, the incident reminds how the country remains vulnerable to terrorism despite its economic expansion. Outsourcing and software firms Infosys Technologies Ltd. and Wipro Ltd which are located in the city stated that they are planning to tighten security.

The article reports on a Federal Reserve survey in July 2008 showing inflation and worries about economic growth are spreading throughout the U.S. The survey also revealed that despite the economic-stimulus package given to Americans in late April, consumer spending was reported to be mixed, weak or slowing in almost all districts. With these findings, the Federal Reserve may reportedly keep the interest rates at 2%.

The article rep rots on India's economic growth. For the first quarter of 2008, the country registered an 8.8% growth rate compared to the same period in 2007. Economists and officials say that the country has to face the challenges to sustain this growth which include rising prices of food and fuel, poor infrastructure that impede the flow of goods and people and shortage of skilled workers for construction of hotels and offices.

The article reports that South Korea's economy experienced its weakest quarterly growth since 2004, at 0.7% in the first quarter of 2008, falling short of a 1% growth estimate. It is predicted that the economy is likely to slow down further in the coming months. Economists say that the Korean economy may be more exposed to the global slowdown than previously thought. According to Finance Minister Kang Mansoo, it will be difficult to meet President Lee Myung-bak's goal of a 7% economic growth during his five-year term.

The article reports on the move of Australian legislators to intensify their efforts against inflation in 2008 amid the country's economic expansion. Reserve Bank of Australia has increased its benchmark interest rate to 7%, which is the highest level since 1996. It cites the increase in export revenue in the country as coal and iron-ore producers lock in price hikes of as much as 70% from steel mills and energy suppliers in Japan, China and South Korea. It notes the difficulty facing exporters as interest rates increase.

The article reports that trading in European stock markets declined on February 15, 2008 due to concerns about earnings in the banking sector and the general outlook for global economic expansion. According to Simon Denham of Capital Spreads, banking sector analysts are worried about the future growth potentials of the sector because of negative balance sheets, massive capital infusions, and the absence of major takeovers. The pan-European Dow Jones Stoxx Index and Germany's DAX Index both reportedly dropped 1.9%.

The article reports that prices of short-term U.S. Treasury bond improved as the expanding credit market difficulties were considered more important than the favorable development in retail sales. On the other hand, there is less demand for the 10 and 30-year long-term bonds due to speculation that the government stimulus plan will result to long-term economic expansion that sometimes causes higher inflation. The long-term bond lost over eight dollars for the $1000 face value investment while the two-year note rose, yielding 1.897%.

The article reports that Fidelity Investments will lease a 210,000 square foot operations center in Albuquerque, New Mexico which will house 1,250 employees in human resources services such as payroll and other functions. Fred Mondragon, New Mexico's secretary for economic development, says that the state will provide a $47 million incentive package which includes tax breaks, job training for new employees and a $14 million cash incentive for the building of infrastructure. Fidelity's new center will be part of mixed-use facility Mesa del Sol.

This section offers world news briefs. The German government projects that economic growth in the country will slow down in 2008. The European Union environment ministers will negotiate with the European Parliament to include airlines in its emissions-trading program in 2012. India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh calls for the creation of specialized forces to deal with communist rebels.

The article reports on the implications of weak consumer spending for Chinese and world economies. Consumer consumption only accounts for a small percentage of the nation's GDP. Consumer spending has 37 percent share of the GDP as of 2007, down from 39 percent in 2006. Consumer spending could affect the level of trade imbalances and the role of China in helping sustain world economic expansion.

The article reports on the implications of mixed reports on retail sales and consumer sentiment for holiday-sales season in the U.S. in 2007. According to the Commerce Department, there was an increase in September retail sales by 0.4%. Despite the condition of the housing and credit markets, economists estimate more than 3% annual rate expansion of the economy during the third quarter. The increase in producer prices in September came after sharp rises in food and energy costs.

The author predicts that the U.S. economy will continue to expand and not go into recession. He cites some factors that could lead to the economic expansion of the country, including strong U.S. exports and less reliance on imports, rising incomes, consistency between monetary policy and sustained growth in domestic demand. He also states that U.S. businesses are well poised to withstand contraction and are unlikely to alter their hiring and investment behavior.

The article reports on the economic development of Vietnam in 2007 through September. The country's economy grew 8.2% this year, the fastest pace for the ninth-month period in 10 years. According to a government institute, the total value of private domestic and foreign investment in the economy exceeded the value of state investment.

The article reports that China's President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao are moving to take authority away from the nation's powerful local governments. For decades provincial and city governments in China have had broad freedom to run their own affairs, as long as they delivered economic growth and kept social conflict in check. But focus on economic expansion has led authorities to ignore violations of safety, labor and environmental standards. These governments are blamed for the downside of China's rapid economic expansion.

The article comments on the economic expansion of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The article discusses issues related to the efforts of the Chinese government to spread the benefits of a booming economy without disrupting growth.

This article presents news briefs on global economic issues, including the slowdown in the economic expansion of Australia.

Reports on the slowdown in economic expansion of the U.S. amid rising prices and wages in the second quarter of 2006.

Reports on the growth of the British economy in the second quarter of 2006.

The article presents an update on issues featured in "The Wall Street Journal Online," as of January 2006, including the fourth-year expansion of the U.S. economy in 2005.

The article reflects on U.S. economic expansion in 2005.

Reports on the competing views that have emerged among Republicans in the U.S. Congress over how the U.S. government should respond to the economic expansion of China, in 2005.

Assesses the investment markets looking for bargains. View that bargain stocks are bargains relative to other investment products; Comments from Tom McManus, a Banc of America Securities strategist, speculating as to why investors are willing to accept low rates of return; Relationship between low expectations and low interest rates; Speculation as to why the global economy has not responded to central-bank efforts to spur economic growth.

Reports that business seems to be driving the economic recovery through hiring and investing. How until now the economic recovery since 2000 has been fueled by tax cuts and low interest rates; The change which is visible in government indicators showing business-construction spending is on the upswing; New jobs created in February 2005; Orders for nondefense capital goods; Spending of United Parcel Service, Incorporated; Other data which was less encouraging including the rising unemployment rate; News which has led economists to raise their estimates of real gross domestic product; Reaction of the stock market which surged on Friday.

Discusses inventory building as part of economic recovery in the United States. Highlights of the current economic expansion; Reference to a difference from past recoveries in that the ratio of inventories to sales dropped even as inventories rose; Suggestion that companies have never been so focused on running leanly; Downward trend in the inventory-to-sales ratios since the 1980's.

Focuses on rising oil prices, the United States' expanding economy, and investors. Why it is difficult to find hawks on inflation; Overview of the markets; Observation that investors seem more concerned about rising oil prices hurting consumer spending than they do about oil-induced inflation; Impact of inflation on the stock market; Views of analysts and of Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan; Bond market; The growing concerns about inflation. INSET: Price Check.

Focuses on the Chinese jobs market. Observation that many Chinese seeking white-collar jobs search on the Internet; Success of a Web site provided by 51job Inc., a Shanghai-based job recruitment firm which began trading last month on Nasdaq; Comparison of 51job with Monster Worldwide Inc., parent of the U.S. online recruitment site; Views of Wall Street analysts; Outlook for job creation in China; Why 51job seems a more attractive candidate than the competition; Issue of rapid economic expansion and profit growth. INSET: Jobs Market.

Reports that the expansion of China's telecom companies around the world is deepening the woes of struggling North American and European rivals and forcing them to scramble. Use of competitive technology by the Chinese to snatch business away from the big, established vendors; Importance of implementing a low-cost strategy in the West in order to compete; Impact of the Chinese expansion on top of a three-year bust that claimed hundreds of thousands of jobs in the West; Stabilization of the global telecom market.

Presents news briefs on issues and events related to business and economy in the Asia Pacific as of September 8, 2004, including the efforts of Japan for continued economic expansion.

Speculates that Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan is overly optimistic about the economy as of August 2004. How he endorsed the strength of the economy in July of 2004, as oil prices increased, employment flagged, and consumer spending was down; Criticism of the Federal Reserve's plans to raise interest rates despite signs of a weakening economy; Extent of Greenspan's commitment to economic expansion at all costs.

Discusses issues concerning the effect foreign purchases of government securities on the U.S. economic expansion.

Reports on the increasing demand for oil due to the global economic expansion as of June 2004.

Examines the impact of oil on the world's economy. Price of crude oil as of June 1, 2004 on the New York Mercantile Exchange; Oil price increases during the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) embargo of 1973, the 1979 Iranian revolution, and during the first Gulf War in 1991, suggesting the world may be confronting another oil "shock"; Factors leading to an increase in oil prices according to economists; Comments from John Ip, an economist at Morley Fund Management, expressing concern about oil as a nonrenewable resource in the time of global economic expansion; Ip's speculation about global economic conditions.

Focuses on the current economic conditions in the United States. Estimated percentage growth in U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) for the first quarter; Economic indicators the author feel will be up; Importance of inventory statistics; View of economist Bill Dudley of Goldman Sachs regarding consumer spending; Estimated income growth according to Miller Tabak's Tony Crescenzi; Importance of Federal Reserve monetary policy in sustaining the economic expansion.