According to the latest figures released by the IMF, global GDP growth reached 3.8 percent in 2017, the fastest pace since 2011 as investment and trade continued to pick up. The IMF now forecasts the global economy to grow by about 3.9 percent in 2018 and 2019, as accommodative policies support the stronger growth impulses in advanced and emerging economies alike.
•  Core inflation has been lower than expected in recent months. This reflects somewhat softer prices across a wide range of goods and services.