In the US, the consumer is king; spending is at its strongest in four-and-a half years, retail sales are up, jobs and productivity figures are steady and wage growth continues.
The US political landscape remains deeply divided as Republicans and Democrats gear up for next year's Presidential election.
Growing awareness of environmental factors
How history can provide answers to today's tariff stand-off
Seven of ten FOMC members vote for small cut
Investors paying premium for high-yielding companies