US Chart Pack Spring slowdown flows into summer The economic slowdown that began in the spring months has continued into the summer. We estimate that GDP grew at an annualised rate of around 1.5% in the second quarter, down from 1.9% in the first... 24th July 2012 · 1 min read
US Economics Update Drought not much of a drain on US economy The drought in parts of America is unlikely to have a major economic impact. At most, the resulting rise in agricultural commodity prices will reverse only a small part of the recent fall in inflation... 24th July 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Spanish bail-out will leave little in the pot A Spanish sovereign bail-out would leave little left in the pot to provide further assistance to Portugal and Ireland and, much more crucially, to deal with serious problems in Italy. 24th July 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Focus How will European retail rental values weather a fresh recession? Over the next couple of years, the response of Western European retail rental values to weak consumer spending is likely to be muted, in other words more similar to the experience of 2008/9 than to... 24th July 2012 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response BBA Mortgage Lending (June) June’s slump in mortgage approvals may well have been exaggerated by the Diamond Jubilee celebrations at the start of the month. Even so, with approvals at their lowest level since January 2009, it... 24th July 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Flash PMIs (Jul.) July’s euro-zone PMI survey supports the view that the region as a whole is in the midst of a pretty deep recession. 24th July 2012 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Pick-up in China’s PMI not enough for a commodities rally The continued deterioration in the euro-zone economy, as highlighted by today’s weakening manufacturing PMI, is likely to drag commodity prices markedly lower despite a small improvement in Chinese... 24th July 2012 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Pick-up in China's PMI not enough for a commodities rally The continued deterioration in the euro-zone economy, as highlighted by today’s weakening manufacturing PMI, is likely to drag commodity prices markedly lower despite a small improvement in Chinese... 24th July 2012 · 1 min read
China Data Response HSBC/Markit Flash Manufacturing PMI (Jul.) Conditions in China’s manufacturing sector have improved, according to today’s flash PMI, although the recovery could not yet be described as strong. 24th July 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Focus Drop in Polish savings rate points to consumer slowdown The strength of Polish consumer spending over the past couple of years has only been made possible by a run-down in the household savings rate. But with the savings rate now at a record low and real... 24th July 2012 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Further rate cut looks likely A further interest rate cut is looking increasing likely. We have pencilled in a 25bps reduction in November, taking official rates to 0.25%. And it is possible that the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC... 24th July 2012 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Chavez pumps the economy ahead of Venezuelan election With the outcome of the Venezuelan presidential election still delicately balanced, the authorities are taking steps to pump economic growth. But while that raises the chance that President Chavez... 23rd July 2012 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Higher food prices alone won’t derail China’s economy The recent surge in global agricultural commodity prices – if sustained – will add to the downside risks to China’s economy but it is unlikely to be a decisive factor. Overall inflationary pressures... 23rd July 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Is Greece about to move back into the spotlight? The formation of a ‘pro bail-out’ government may have recently shifted the markets’ spotlight away from Greece. But the Troika’s visit to Athens, which begins tomorrow, looks set to prompt renewed... 23rd July 2012 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Will global food prices prevent a recovery in real incomes? The 30% increase in global agricultural commodity prices over the last month has prompted fears of a renewed squeeze on households’ incomes. However, food prices would have to rise much further to... 23rd July 2012 · 1 min read
