UK Data Response MPC Minutes (Sep.) September’s MPC minutes did little to diminish the prospects of further policy stimulus over the coming months. We continue to expect further asset purchases to be announced at November’s meeting. 19th September 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Threat of financial contagion eases, but risks remain The recent news that the ECB is prepared to buy “unlimited” quantities of peripheral government bonds has reduced the risk that banks in Emerging Europe will be hit by financial contagion from the... 19th September 2012 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Pace of credit growth still a cause for concern Latin American credit growth has slowed a little over the past few months, but remains uncomfortably strong in a number of places. We suspect that the biggest threat to financial stability in the... 19th September 2012 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Central Bank of Nigeria still in wait and see mode The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) kept interest rates on hold at 12.00% today and is likely to stay in wait and see mode over the coming months as the effects of a spike in global food prices feed... 18th September 2012 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Would the US go it alone with an oil stock release? Oil prices are likely to fall back without the need for the release of emergency reserves as optimism about the impact of global policy stimulus fades and demand remains weak. But if prices do rise... 18th September 2012 · 1 min read
US Economics Focus Is QE3 a success after all? The early evidence suggests that the Fed’s latest policy actions have already started to have their desired effect on financial markets. But there are large question marks over whether these moves... 18th September 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Turkey steps into easing mode, but impact likely to be limited Today’s cut in the Turkish overnight lending rate is partly cosmetic and the impact on domestic demand is likely to be limited. We wouldn’t rule out a few more steps to narrow the “interest rate... 18th September 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response German ZEW Survey (Sep. 12) September’s rise in ZEW investor sentiment was broadly encouraging, but the index remains consistent with a sharp deterioration in German economic activity. We still see GDP falling by about 1.0% next... 18th September 2012 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Consumer Prices (Aug. 12) August’s fall in inflation suggests that July’s rise was just a temporary blip in a gradual downward trend. Barring a further rise in oil prices, inflation still appears to be on track to reach the... 18th September 2012 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update Monetary Indicators Monitor (Aug.) Broad money growth remained weak in August but it picked up slightly amid a continued rise in bank lending. Household demand for credit remains firm but businesses are cutting back on borrowing from... 17th September 2012 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Egypt: much depends on IMF deal as fiscal challenges mount The fact that the Egyptian government intends to increase public sector employment in the next fiscal year adds to our view that its fiscal deficit target for 2012/13 is too optimistic. We think that... 17th September 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Will the ECB follow the Fed? With the launch of QE3, the Federal Reserve has clearly trumped the ECB’s conditional pledge to make sterilised bond purchases. Similar action is warranted in the euro-zone and technically feasible... 17th September 2012 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Focus Where is Venezuela heading after the election? A victory for Hugo Chávez in next month’s presidential election could culminate in an economic crisis in Venezuela at some point during the next six year term. By contrast, a win for the Opposition’s... 17th September 2012 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Update Housing bubble bursting? The recent slump in home sales suggests that a housing correction is underway. Assuming that sales continue to trend lower over the remainder of this year, then the typical lag relationship between... 17th September 2012 · 1 min read
