The global economic recovery remainsuneven, as growth in the United States is gaining momentumbut appears to be at risk of stalling in the Euro Area andJapan. U.S. growth is expected to gain pace over the rest ofthe year and into 2015 as employment prospects boost realincome growth and confidence. Following the Euro Area s exitfrom recession in 2013, GDP was flat in 2014, andpreliminary data for the third quarter suggest slowinggrowth momentum amid weak domestic demand, ongoing balancesheet adjustments, a fragmented banking sector, and risinggeopolitical risks. In Japan, a sales tax hike in Aprilcaused a more significant contraction in activity thanexpected, while exports failed to pick up.