Business Headlines are Boring

Have you noticed anything missing in leading business headlines these days?  For the last three years, prior to 2013, various media outlets have bombarded us with dire news regarding European debt crisis (remember PIIGS?) and Greece in particular, Chinese slowdown, Japanese collapse and overall global recession.  Since the media now is remarkably silent on these issues, it would be good to check in on the current status.  So here it is:

• Europe is now officially no longer in recession, with Germany’s economy rising the fastest.  The debt situation in Greece has stabilized.  Italy and Spain are also doing much better.
• Chinese slowdown, for all practical purposes, was a no show.  In 2013, Chinese economy grew at 7.6% rate, which would be considered outstanding for most countries.
• After a prolonged recession, Japan is growing again, and its stock market is one of the best performing markets this year.
• Overall, global economy growth never turned negative during these past crises, and is projected to accelerate from 2013 into 2014.

But you wouldn’t know it, from looking at the major news stories.  And no wonder — negative headlines always attract more attention and are never as boring as good news.  Keep this in mind when the next disaster du jour arrives.