Commodities Focus Where do we see grains prices heading? The current elevated levels of grains prices probably already reflect the worst possible outcome for US harvests. In the absence of any further adverse weather shocks, we believe that the prices of... 8th August 2012 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Chilean growth to slow as consumer spending boost fades The resilience of private consumption has been the key reason why Chile’s economy has outperformed its larger neighbours in recent months. But we doubt that the current pace of household spending will... 8th August 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response German Industrial Production (Jun.) June’s industrial production figures did little to reduce the danger that the German economy tipped into recession in the second quarter. 8th August 2012 · 1 min read
Global Economics Focus What more can central banks do? Many commentators argue that central banks in advanced economies have all but run out of ammunition. We disagree. Admittedly, the room for further conventional policy stimulus is fairly limited, but... 8th August 2012 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Bank of England Inflation Report (Aug.) The Bank of England’s latest Inflation Report contained substantial downward revisions to the growth and inflation forecasts, supporting our view that more policy stimulus is likely once the current... 8th August 2012 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update Recovery starting to unravel The Economy Watchers’ Survey, published today, adds to the growing body of evidence that Japan’s economic recovery has not just paused but has started to unravel. Worryingly, labour market conditions... 8th August 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Focus Playing the long game We are among the most bearish forecasters on the near-term prospects for Emerging Europe and expect the region to underperform the rest of the emerging world over the next couple of years. But looking... 8th August 2012 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Update Why is remortgaging so weak? While tight credit conditions are keeping all housing market activity subdued, the narrowing of the spread between Standard Variable Rates (SVRs) and the rates available for new loans helps explain... 8th August 2012 · 1 min read
UK Markets Chart Pack Gilt yields approach zero as euro-zone fears grow Further safe-haven flows and growing expectations of a further cut in official interest rates and more QE have caused gilt yields at the short end of the curve to fall to within a whisker of zero... 7th August 2012 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Egypt: devaluation back on investors’ agenda Today’s data from the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) showing that foreign currency reserves fell in July serve as a reminder that devaluation of the pound remains a real and likely prospect. 7th August 2012 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response CoreLogic House Prices (Jun.) CoreLogic’s measure of house prices posted another strong gain in June. But unlike in recent months, the latest rise was marginally weaker than we would expect in a typical June, meaning that... 7th August 2012 · 1 min read
US Economics Update Fed will want to satisfy surging mortgage demand The surge in demand for residential mortgages reported by the Fed’s latest Senior Loan Officer Survey could further encourage the FOMC to launch QE3, and perhaps some kind of Funding for Lending... 7th August 2012 · 1 min read
UK Commercial Property Update Non-prime and prime yield divergence continues in Q2 The latest IPD data confirmed that yields on the best quality property have remained resilient in the face of renewed recession, but also that lower-grade stock continues to lose value. With both... 7th August 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Italian GDP (Q2) The sharp fall in GDP in Q2 highlights the huge economic and fiscal problems that Italy faces. Although the pressure from the markets has recently eased, we still think that it is only a matter of... 7th August 2012 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Lower commodity prices would expose the region’s laggards The whole of Latin America would be worse off as a result of lower commodity prices, but sharp falls would exacerbate clear divisions in the growth outlook within the region. Chile, Colombia and Peru... 7th August 2012 · 1 min read
