Japan Economics Update What impact will the delay in the sales tax hike have? The direct impact of Prime Minister Abe’s decision to delay next year’s sales tax hike is to boost the outlook for growth and also for underlying inflation, though headline inflation will of course be... 18th November 2014 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Consumer Prices & Producer Prices (Oct.) The slight rise in CPI inflation in October should be a blip in its downward trend. Indeed, falling import and commodity prices look set to provide timely support to real incomes at a time when other... 18th November 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Rate hikes in Indonesia unlikely despite subsidy cuts Today’s move by Indonesia’s new president to hike fuel prices is an encouraging first step on the road to reform. Although inflation is now likely to rise sharply, any spike should prove temporary... 17th November 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Pakistan rate cut not the start of aggressive easing The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) cut its policy rate by 50bp to 9.5% over the weekend, having been encouraged by a recent drop in inflation. But with inflation set to rise again over the coming months... 17th November 2014 · 1 min read
India Data Response Wholesale Prices (Oct.) The sharp drop in WPI inflation in October adds to evidence of fading price pressures. It also supports our long-held view that the RBI could begin to cut interest rates earlier than many seem to... 14th November 2014 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Another interest rate cut still likely in Peru Interest rates in Peru were left unchanged at 3.50% last night but, with economic growth still weak and inflation likely to fall back into target in the coming months, we are comfortable with our... 14th November 2014 · 1 min read
Latin America Economic Outlook A limp recovery The growing pile of cash held abroad by US firms, which has now reached more than $2trn, or 12% of GDP, is unlikely to provide much of a boost to the economy, not least because the prospects of that... 13th November 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Data Response Russia GDP (Q3), Pol. CPI (Oct.) & Turkey Current Acc. (Sep.) Russia’s economy performed better than even we had expected in Q3, but this predates the most recent slump in oil prices. We still expect the economy to slip into recession next year. Elsewhere... 13th November 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Bank Indonesia to keep rates on hold well into 2015 Bank Indonesia (BI) left interest rates on hold again today despite the ongoing weakness of the economy. A large current account deficit and an uncertain outlook for inflation mean rates are likely to... 13th November 2014 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Data Response Saudi Arabia Consumer Prices (Oct.) The fall in Saudi Arabia’s inflation rate in October suggests that, for now at least, price pressures in the economy are limited. 13th November 2014 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Chart Pack House prices regain some poise The various measures of house prices appear to be sending different messages, but on balance it looks like price gains have picked up again following outright falls earlier in the year. The Case-... 12th November 2014 · 1 min read
US Economics Update Fed running out of reasons not to hike rates With the unemployment rate now within a whisker of most estimates of the natural rate and more comprehensive measures of wage growth showing a clear acceleration, we believe that the markets are too... 12th November 2014 · 1 min read
India Data Response Consumer Prices (Oct.) & Industrial Production (Sep.) Today’s inflation and industrial output data were both encouraging, but policymakers will focus mainly on evidence of fading price pressures. Given this, an early start to the RBI’s policy loosening... 12th November 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economic Outlook Crisis in Russia to weigh on regional growth Growth across Emerging Europe has slowed in recent months and we expect it to remain soft over the coming quarters. The economies of Central Europe will continue to be held back by weakness in Germany... 12th November 2014 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Bank of England Inflation Report (Nov.) November’s Bank of England Inflation Report gave another strong indication that the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) expects to keep interest rates on hold for a number of months yet and then increase... 12th November 2014 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Lower production estimates won’t stop grain prices falling Global corn, wheat and soybeans remain on course for record harvests this year. Combined with high stocks, lower energy costs and a stronger US dollar, we continue to expect crop prices to fall... 11th November 2014 · 1 min read
