Emerging Europe Economics Update Hungarian MPC shrugs off weak inflation and activity data The press release accompanying today’s decision by the National Bank of Hungary to keep interest rates on hold was surprisingly upbeat. It largely shrugged off the drop in inflation in September... 28th October 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Riksbank cuts rates to zero but deflation threat persists Sweden’s central bank today stepped up its fight against deflation, cutting its main policy rate to a record low of 0% and pushing back the date at which it first expects to raise rates. We think that... 28th October 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Small Business Confidence (Oct.) The third decline in small business confidence in a row suggests that the economy is not quite as strong as the jump in the flash manufacturing PMI in October indicated. 28th October 2014 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Riksbank cuts rates to zero but deflation threat persists Sweden’s central bank today stepped up its fight against deflation, cutting its main policy rate to a record low of 0% and pushing back the date at which it first expects to raise rates. We think that... 28th October 2014 · 1 min read
Canada Economic Outlook Lower oil price adds to risks Alongside the potential for a sharp correction in the domestic housing market, the recent slump in crude oil prices represents a second risk to the Canadian economic outlook. We expect GDP growth to... 27th October 2014 · 1 min read
Bank of Japan Watch Lower energy prices another reason to ease more Just a few months ago, a sizeable number of analysts were expecting the Bank of Japan to provide more stimulus at the upcoming meeting, but only a few are still holding on to that view. We expect that... 27th October 2014 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Weekly Still waiting for that elusive economic rebound The recent run of weak data confirms that the economy fared even worse in August after barely growing in July. Encouragingly, leading indicators point to a spectacular rebound in September, though it... 27th October 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Falling commodity prices to keep Asian inflation low Declines in commodity prices have helped push down inflation across Emerging Asia in recent months. We expect inflation to remain low over the next year, which will leave room for central banks to... 24th October 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Chart Pack Renewed weakness in Germany hits Central Europe The past month has brought further evidence of weaker growth in Central Europe. Admittedly, August’s particularly disappointing data appear to have been distorted by variations in summer holidays. And... 24th October 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Weekly How much damage would a delay in the tax hike do? Recent comments by PM Abe suggest that next year’s scheduled hike in the sales tax might be delayed. Concerns about the economic impact of a further tax hike are understandable given the weakness of... 24th October 2014 · 1 min read
UK Commercial Property Chart Pack Retail rental values finally show signs of life All-property rental values grew by 0.4%m/m in September, the second-biggest monthly increase since mid-2007. Industrial and office sector rental values continued their recovery, but perhaps the most... 24th October 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Low EM inflation set to persist Inflation eased further in September across most of the emerging world, in aggregate reaching its lowest rate in nearly five years. Falling commodity prices and weak underlying price pressures mean... 23rd October 2014 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Falling commodity prices not enough to pull SA’s inflation down Recent movements in commodity prices are unlikely to be enough to lower inflation in South Africa substantially. Indeed, exchange rate weakness and upcoming energy price hikes will put further upward... 23rd October 2014 · 1 min read
US Chart Pack Drop in jobless claims illustrates labour market strength There are still areas of the labour market where conditions could be better, particularly the elevated number of part-time workers looking for full-time work and the lack of a meaningful acceleration... 23rd October 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Turkish central bank quashes hopes for looser policy The accompanying statement to today’s Turkish MPC meeting, at which interest rates were left on hold, is likely to quash hopes that have been growing in some quarters for looser policy in response to... 23rd October 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Rates on hold in the Philippines, but further hikes likely The decision to leave interest rates in the Philippines on hold at 4.0% today reflects a recent easing of inflationary pressures. Nevertheless, with credit still growing at an unsustainable pace and... 23rd October 2014 · 1 min read