This has impacted the demand for mining equipment and machinery manufactured by Caterpillar and other mining equipment manufacturers, causing them to lower their earnings forecast over the short-term.
If, as many economists forecast, the Bank of England cuts short-term rates to 2%, British savers could be tempted by the allure of government bonds yielding 3-4%.
Crude oil prices are currently at their highest level since 2008 and are likely to climb higher still over the short, mid and long term horizons, according to the most recent forecast data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).