Asia Economics Update Australia finished cutting rates The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) cut its policy rate by 25bp to 3.25% today. We think this will mark the end of its loosening cycle, with rates set to remain on hold until late 2013. 2nd October 2012 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Update What does Canada's new GDP methodology mean? Changes to Canada's quarterly national accounts methodology have resulted in a higher level of GDP. These important changes, however, have not significantly affected GDP growth and does not change our... 1st October 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Budget marks a small step forward for Greece By announcing fiscal measures to generate the €13.5bn of savings demanded by the Troika, the Greek Government has moved a step closer to gaining the next loan instalment from its bail-out package. But... 1st October 2012 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Global manufacturing improves in September, but still weak The latest purchasing managers’ surveys suggests global manufacturing conditions improved a little in September relative to August. But they are still consistent on past form with very low global... 1st October 2012 · 1 min read
Commodities Chart Pack Boost from QE3 already starting to fade Confirmation of the launch of QE3 by the US Fed appears to have marked at least a temporary peak in many commodity prices, with the focus quickly returning to the underlying weaknesses in economic and... 1st October 2012 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Household Borrowing Monitor (Aug.) The latest household borrowing indicators are similar in tone to last week’s national accounts in suggesting that weak borrowing growth is holding back any recovery in consumer spending. 1st October 2012 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Focus Is Indonesia overheating? Rapid economic growth, coupled with strong credit expansion and a worsening current account have led to fears among some commentators that Indonesia’s economy is overheating, and that the central bank... 1st October 2012 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update South African manufacturing continues to struggle On the face of it, South Africa’s manufacturing PMI for September appears consistent with a contraction in GDP in Q3. And while we would be hesitant to read too much into one month’s figures, the... 1st October 2012 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Manufacturing recovery still some way off The September PMIs signal that manufacturing remains weak in Asia. We think that global growth will continue to struggle over the coming year or so and that, against this backdrop, manufacturing... 1st October 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Is Warsaw's office market facing a period of excess supply? Agency estimates of a huge development pipeline seem to suggest that Warsaw’s office market faces a period of excess supply. After all, economic sentiment in Poland is deteriorating, and occupier... 1st October 2012 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Monetary Indicators Monitor (Sep.12) On the face of it, the pick-up in the MPC’s preferred measure of broad money growth supports the Committee’s view that its asset purchases are still having a significant impact on the economy. But... 1st October 2012 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Interest rates have further to fall in Colombia The Colombian central bank’s (BANREP) decision to keep interest rates on hold does not necessarily signal the end of the easing cycle, but it does suggest that further cuts may be punctuated by pauses... 1st October 2012 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update India's latest fiscal plan likely to be only partly adopted If implemented, the recommendations of the Kelkar Commission would put India’s public finances on a far more stable footing. However, the government is unlikely to be able to adopt them in full. 1st October 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Unemployment (Aug.) & Manufacturing PMI (Sep.) The rise in euro-zone unemployment in August, coupled with the still low level of the manufacturing PMI, adds to the evidence that the region is in a deepening and broadening recession. 1st October 2012 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response Mortgage Lending (Aug. 12) Mortgage approvals for house purchase were little changed in August. And with mortgage rates still increasing despite the introduction of the FLS, we are doubtful a sustained recovery is imminent. 1st October 2012 · 1 min read