US Economics Update Recession Watch (Dec.) Our composite models continue to suggest that a recession this year is a near-certainty, with the implied odds of the economy being in recession in six months’ time and in one year’s time both above... 5th January 2023 · 5 mins read
US Data Response International Trade (Nov.) The sharp narrowing of the trade deficit to $61.5bn in November, from $77.8bn, came as a big fall in exports was offset by an even sharper drop in imports. Net trade still looks to have been a small... 5th January 2023 · 2 mins read
Canada Data Response International Trade (Nov.) Lower commodity prices have now wiped out the goods trade surplus, while the falls in export and import volumes present downside risks to the preliminary estimate that GDP edged up in November. Drop... 5th January 2023 · 3 mins read
US Commercial Property Update How did our key calls for 2022 fare? While our forecast that the economy would slow in 2022 on the back of high inflation and Fed policy tightening was right, like every other forecaster we were surprised by its extent. This threw off... 4th January 2023 · 3 mins read
US Economics Update JOLTS show labour market conditions still tight The latest JOLTS data suggest that labour market conditions remain quite tight and a lot more adjustment is needed to ensure that the drop back in price inflation to 2% will be sustained. 4th January 2023 · 2 mins read
US Data Response ISM Manufacturing Index (Dec.) The decline in the ISM manufacturing index to a two-and-a-half year low of 48.4 in December, from 49.0, is another sign that the economy lost more momentum at the tail-end of last year. Nearly all the... 4th January 2023 · 2 mins read
US Housing Market Data Response Mortgage Applications (Dec.) A second consecutive increase in home purchase applications in December suggests that declining mortgage rates have allowed buyer demand to bottom out. Indeed, as we expect mortgage rates to continue... 4th January 2023 · 2 mins read
Japan Economics Update Exit Kuroda, exit YCC? The nomination of a less dovish candidate to succeed BoJ Governor Kuroda would probably signal that Yield Curve Control will soon be abandoned, though we would still expect the Bank to keep its short... 4th January 2023 · 6 mins read
UK Commercial Property Data Response Lending to commercial property (Nov.) Net lending to property accelerated in November to an 11-month high. But given the worsening economic and property outlook we expect it will soon go into reverse. Indeed, investment activity is now... 4th January 2023 · 3 mins read
UK Data Response Money & Credit (Nov.) November’s money and credit figures showed further signs that higher interest rates are dampening activity, particularly in the housing market. This will be a constant theme over the year ahead... 4th January 2023 · 3 mins read
UK Housing Market Data Response Mortgage Lending (Nov.) The impact of the surge in mortgage rates following the “mini” budget on 23rd September was realised in November as mortgage approvals collapsed. The modest drop back in fixed mortgage rates since... 4th January 2023 · 3 mins read