On March 10, a day before the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic, the Food and Drug Administration announced that it was postponing foreign inspections through April. This increases the risk that some drug and device companies will run into issues obtaining approval ... READ MORE >
coronavirus
Fed intervenes in credit markets, but will it be enough?
The Federal Reserve along with its major central banking partners moved on Sunday to restore functioning credit markets in an attempt to put a floor under the global economy and calm financial markets. The Fed announced a restoration of quantitative easing to the tune of $700 billion. In addition, the ... READ MORE >
Coronavirus and the rise of virtual health visits
The human toll of the coronavirus only continues to mount: Confirmed cases have topped 118,000, deaths have surpassed 4,000 and Italy has quarantined 16 million people. It has led employers around the globe to encourage employees to work from home or take unpaid leaves of absence. In Seattle, the ... READ MORE >
As coronavirus spreads, pain goes beyond the hospitality and travel industries
As the human and economic toll of the coronavirus mounts, the real estate industry in North America is wondering where it can safely place its bets. The hospitality industry has taken the brunt of the hit so far, but other sectors of the economy have been nervously watching as the events ... READ MORE >
Real economy faces severe test as coronavirus challenges to business activity mount
Volatility across asset markets and the end of the 11-year bull market run in equity prices strongly implies that the current business cycle will soon come to an end, if it hasn’t already done so. The exogenous shock of coronavirus, which has triggered severe financial shock and profound second-order ... READ MORE >
Calm before the storm: New jobless claims remain below long-term average
Initial benefit claims for unemployment insurance remained subdued in the past week, signaling a still-healthy labor market despite the outbreak of the coronavirus. With the shutting down of entertainment venues, schools and other large gatherings picking up momentum as social distancing gains ... READ MORE >
Coronavirus and the global technology supply chain
To understand why the coronavirus has had such a profound impact on global supply chains and the world economy, look no further than how reliant technology companies have become on Chinese manufacturers. Nearly 20 years ago, during the SARS epidemic, China’s economy was much different and less ... READ MORE >
Coronavirus spurs service disruption for health care providers, extending human toll
The coronavirus (COVID-19) has dominated the news since the outbreak began in China early this year. As the situation evolves, health care companies and organizations should monitor four important risk areas: supply chain, patient demand, workforce supply and their t function. Supply chain According ... READ MORE >
The coronavirus impact on the financial services sector
The spread of the coronavirus and its accompanying shock to the global economic system has spurred widespread fear within the financial services sector. The disruption has led senior leaders at financial services firms to ask some basic questions, from how do we keep our employees safe, to what does our ... READ MORE >
Dealing with disruptions: Policy options for addressing exogenous shocks
The economic disruption caused by the outbreak of the coronavirus will be sharp and likely to linger for some time. The price war that has broken out between the Saudis and Russians in oil markets brings a new, more difficult policy twist to the crisis. It all adds up to a series of supply, demand and ... READ MORE >