"For the outlook, the key issue is whether the low growth rates of prices and wages will continue, thus prompting central banks to remain on the monetary policy sidelines," said James. "Globalisation and technological change have been influential in keeping inflation low. In short, consumers can buy goods whenever they want and wherever they are. "Yet there are reasons to suspect that times this good cannot last.An index from State Street that gauges investor risk appetite by what they actually buy and sell, suffered its six straight monthly fall in December. dollar bulls have not been nearly so fortunate this year.

Source: The Star December 29, 2017 00:45 UTC