Asian economies are recovering faster than previously thought and will lead the charge out of the worst global downturn since the 1930s, according to new forecasts by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) – a Manila-based institution that promotes economic and social progress in the Asia-Pacific region.

The number of traders betting that oil prices will drop outnumbers the number of traders who believe they will rise by the largest margin ever. Some analysts believe prices will fall significantly lower in the near future – at least into the low $60 a barrel range – after soaring to $75 a barrel in August.

China’s economy grew by 7.9% in the second quarter, exceeding most analysts’ expectations, and lending credence to Beijing’s goal of 8% annual growth. Now, with the nation awash in liquidity and the economy picking up steam, the only task ahead of the central government is deciding when to rein in lending and let the economy stand on its own two feet.

In late January, Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM), the world’s most ubiquitous oil giant, capped off a whipsaw year in the global oil markets by reporting net income of $45.2 billion, an all-time record for corporate profits that shattered the former record it had set a year before.

Japan’s Cabinet Office said today (Wednesday) that economic output fell to its worst levels ever, tumbling an annualized 15.2% in the first quarter, as the worst recession in 60 years hammered exports and consumer demand.

President-Elect Barack Obama headed to Capitol Hill yesterday (Monday) to meet with House and Senate leaders to push for quick action on his broad economic stimulus package that could cost as much as $775 billion. 

The European Commission (EC) said yesterday (Monday) that the Eurozone economy has already slipped into a recession and strong and stable economic growth will not return until 2010. The European Central Bank (ECB), originally charged with the task of maintaining price stability, has now found itself with the added responsibility of encouraging growth and will likely cut interest rates later this week.

Major indices around the world plunged yesterday (Monday), as the credit crisis picked up momentum in Europe and markets in Asia began bracing for a deep recessionary environment in the West.

The liquidity crisis that began with the collapse of Bear Stearns and has led to the fall of Lehmen Brothers (NYSE:LEH) is spreading. This has prompted foreign central banks to bolster liquidity in domestic markets, reports Jason Simpkins. Even the Bank of China decided to cut its benchmark lending rate. It is its first rate cut in six years.

The British pound fell to a 22-month low, after the Bank of England (BOE) offered a gloomy outlook for the U.K. economy and the chance of an interest rate cut increased.