World Bank Sees Slow Growth in 2023

CVS QQQ

Markets closed today at session highs across the board, as the indices managed to reverse the modest selling off ahead of today’s pre-market. The Dow gained +187 points, +0.56% overall, while the S&P 500 was +0.70%. The Nasdaq performed admirably, +1.01% or +106 points, but it was the small-cap Russell 2000 that was the strongest of the four, +1.49%.

The World Bank today issued an update on its Global Growth Projection for 2023 — slashing it to +1.7% from +3% it posted just six short months ago. World Bank President David Malpass cited the usual suspects for a sluggish global economy going forward — higher inflation and interest rates — for what he sees as a “sharp, long-lasting slowdown,” with added concern for emerging-market countries.

“Emerging and developing countries” are expected to experience a “multi-year period of slow growth,” based on “heavy burdens and weak investment,” according to Malpass. Emerging countries are expected to grow +2.8% — a full percentage point lower than the yearly average between 2010-2019. Advanced economies, including the U.S., are now projected to grow +0.5% this year, compared with +2.5% in 2022.

The World Bank put more of its weight behind concerns in the developing world than the already-developed countries like the U.S. A global recession might have serious detrimental effects in the poorer regions of the world, like sub-Saharan Africa, which may find more people falling into poverty as a result. This is an institution whose primary function has always been about developing countries that need assistance, so Malpass’ focus is understandable.

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