Japan Economics Update More easing coming, but will it work? The focus has quickly shifted to the second April meeting of the Bank of Japan’s Policy Board after the widely anticipated decision not to announce any further easing measures today. The publication... 10th April 2012 · 1 min read
UK Commercial Property Data Response RICS Commercial Property Market Survey (Q1) The overall tone of the latest RICS survey was more positive than in the previous two to three quarters. However, this was not broad-based, only reflecting better results from the industrial sector... 10th April 2012 · 1 min read
Commodities Update China's commodity imports show signs of weakening Many analysts have focused on the still-high levels of China’s commodity imports in March and the rapid year-on-year growth rate. However, the seasonally adjusted data show imports ended the quarter... 10th April 2012 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response RICS Housing Market Survey (Mar.) Surveyors are reporting that supply and demand are in balance and that the pace of house price falls is moderating. Yet once the temporary boost to housing activity from the stamp duty holiday fades... 10th April 2012 · 1 min read
China Data Response Foreign Trade & CPI (Mar.) March’s trade figures from China paint a picture of slow but steady growth in global demand alongside further weakening at home. 10th April 2012 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Asia’s costly fuel subsidies to remain in place The recent increase in oil prices is putting the budgets of countries that operate fuel subsidy regimes under strain. Nevertheless, any meaningful reform of subsidy programmes across Asia looks... 9th April 2012 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Weekly Buoyant commodity prices net positive for economy The upswing in commodity prices since the global economic slump over three years ago has been an important part of Canada's recent economic performance. This is highlighted by the positive... 9th April 2012 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Burma - Asian tiger or basket case? After decades as an international pariah, Burma is catching the eye of investors. Recent market-friendly reforms, an abundance of natural resources, and proximity to China and India are some of the... 9th April 2012 · 1 min read
US Economics Weekly Recovery remains solid The US economy still appears to be headed in the right direction. We admit that economic growth isn't going to be spectacular this year, probably around 2.0%. Nevertheless, there would appear to be... 9th April 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Draghi buries the silver bullet Any lingering hopes that the European Central Bank (ECB) had either already solved the euro-zone crises or would yet come riding to the rescue with much more decisive action were surely put to bed by... 9th April 2012 · 1 min read
UK Economics Weekly GDP figures may dash recovery optimism Any lingering hopes that the European Central Bank (ECB) had either already solved the euro-zone crises or would yet come riding to the rescue with much more decisive action were surely put to bed by... 9th April 2012 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Weekly Over-employment at Japanese firms on the way out The employment component of the Tankan provided some welcome good news in an otherwise lacklustre survey. The employment index fell to its lowest level in four years, indicating that Japanese firms... 9th April 2012 · 1 min read
US Data Response Employment Report (Mar.) The disappointingly modest 120,000 increase in non-farm payrolls in March, which was exactly half the 240,000 gain month before, mainly reflects some payback from the unseasonably warm winter. Between... 6th April 2012 · 1 min read
Energy Watch US natural gas prices to rebound despite supply boom US natural gas prices have fallen to around $2 per million British thermal units (MMBtu) due to soaring supply and the mild winter in North America. But they now look far too low relative to... 5th April 2012 · 1 min read
Canada Data Response Labour Force Survey (Mar.) The 82,300 increase in employment in March, which was the biggest monthly gain in three-and-a-half years, goes a long way towards making up for the disappointing run of jobs reports going back to the... 5th April 2012 · 1 min read
