ASX Shares Slide After ASIC Imposes A$150 Million Capital Requirement 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected that the world’s total public debt will exceed $100 trillion for the first time in 2024, driven by increased government spending and slower economic growth. This alarming trend highlights the need for urgent fiscal policy changes as debt levels soar.
Key Findings from the IMF Fiscal Monitor
According to the IMF's latest Fiscal Monitor report, global public debt is expected to reach 93% of global GDP by the end of 2024, approaching 100% by 2030—a significant increase from 89% in 2019. The report warns that current debt projections may underestimate future outcomes due to political pressures favoring higher spending, particularly in the U.S., the world's largest economy.
Political Landscape and Campaign Promises
As the U.S. presidential election approaches, candidates from both parties are proposing new tax cuts and spending initiatives. Republican candidate Donald Trump's plans could add approximately $7.5 trillion to the national debt over ten years, while Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, may add about $3.5 trillion. These promises could exacerbate already rising debt levels.
The Need for Fiscal Consolidation
The IMF emphasizes the importance of fiscal consolidation during this period of solid growth and low unemployment. Current efforts, averaging 1% of GDP over the next six years, are inadequate to stabilize debt levels. The report suggests that a cumulative tightening of 3.8% is essential to achieve fiscal sustainability.
Conclusion
With projections indicating a potential rise to 115% of global GDP in a severely adverse scenario, countries like the U.S., China, and several others face significant fiscal challenges. To mitigate these risks, the IMF urges countries to implement credible fiscal plans to enhance resilience against future economic shocks.
