Record low inventory to weigh on home sales The main news this week was that home sales hit a record high in September. As inventory is at a record low, sales are set to moderate from here, but prices should keep rising. 16th October 2020 · 6 mins read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Final HICP (Sep.) Core inflation is likely to edge up from the record low to which it fell in September. However, weak aggregate demand will keep it very subdued for the foreseeable future. 16th October 2020 · 2 mins read
Asia Economics Weekly Problems mount in Malaysia Malaysia’s economy has rebounded rapidly from the crisis. However, headwinds are growing. Having been on the verge of being eliminated, confirmed inflections have surged in recent days. Meanwhile, the... 16th October 2020 · 6 mins read
India Economics Weekly Latest fiscal stimulus won’t move the needle The fiscal support package announced this week is welcome but, at just 0.3% of GDP, actual demand-boosting measures are small. Meanwhile, the latest inflation data for September showed a greater rise... 16th October 2020 · 3 mins read
Africa Data Response Nigeria CPI (Sep.) The increase in Nigerian inflation in September, to 13.7% y/y, will probably be followed by similarly high inflation readings in the coming months. The central bank is likely to keep its benchmark... 15th October 2020 · 2 mins read
Middle East & North Africa Data Response Saudi Consumer Prices (Sep.) Saudi inflation dropped back to 5.7% y/y in September as food inflation eased and schools slashed tuition fees ahead of the new academic year. While the effects of July’s VAT hike will keep inflation... 15th October 2020 · 2 mins read
Australia & New Zealand Economic Outlook Huge policy support paves way for strong recovery Australia and New Zealand have had far greater success in containing the virus than most other large advanced economies. Coupled with huge fiscal support, that means that the recovery in economic... 15th October 2020 · 24 mins read
China Data Response Consumer & Producer Prices (Sep.) Headline consumer price inflation, weighed down by easing food price inflation, continued its decline last month. But core consumer prices rose again for the second straight month and factory gate... 15th October 2020 · 2 mins read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Egypt: lower inflation target would temper rate cuts The weakness of Egypt’s inflation reading for September is likely to prompt another rate cut at the central bank’s (CBE’s) next meeting. With inflation persistently undershooting the CBE’s target... 14th October 2020 · 3 mins read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Faltering reform drive clouds Ukraine outlook The coronavirus crisis has already dealt a heavy blow to the Ukrainian economy and the risks to the outlook are growing: recent challenges to the independence of the central bank and anti-corruption... 14th October 2020 · 4 mins read
India Data Response Wholesale Prices (Sep.) The rise in headline wholesale price inflation in September was sharper than expected but, with price pressures likely to ease in earnest over the coming months, we think further policy rate cuts are... 14th October 2020 · 2 mins read
US Data Response Consumer Prices (Sep.) The more modest rise in core consumer prices in September, which came despite a further surge in used vehicle prices, suggests that the previous upward pressure on prices resulting from supply... 13th October 2020 · 2 mins read
Emerging Markets Economics Focus Could the crisis lead to higher EM inflation? Large output gaps look set to keep inflation low in most emerging markets over the next few years. But further out, we think that worrying public debt trajectories in some places (Brazil and South... 13th October 2020 · 15 mins read
Asia Economics Update Further rate cuts likely in Indonesia Bank Indonesia (BI) left interest rates on hold at 4.0% today, but it is too soon to call an end to the easing cycle. With the economy in need of further support, we think the central bank will resume... 13th October 2020 · 3 mins read
Nordic & Swiss Data Response Sweden Consumer Prices (Sep.) The larger-than-expected fall in Swedish inflation in September will only strengthen the hand of the dovish contingent of the Riksbank’s Executive Board. We think it is only a matter of time before... 13th October 2020 · 2 mins read
China Economic Outlook Recovery broadening out China has become the first major economy to return to its pre-virus growth path, thanks to its rapid containment of COVID-19 and effective stimulus response. The rebound initially leaned heavily on... 12th October 2020 · 2 mins read
