Emerging Europe Data Response Russia CPI (May) Russian headline inflation was unchanged in May, but the fall in core inflation to below the central bank’s target supports our view that the policy interest rate will be lowered again, from 9.25% to... 6th June 2017 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Turkey’s economic recovery levelling off Turkish GDP figures due next week are likely to show that the recovery levelled off in the first quarter at around 3.5% y/y. But there are signs of a healthy rebalancing of the drivers of growth. 6th June 2017 · 1 min read
UK Data Response BRC Retail Sales Monitor (May) Despite the weakness in May’s BRC Retail Sales Monitor, growth in consumer spending on retail goods still looks set to rebound in Q2. Nonetheless, the squeeze on households’ real incomes is likely to... 6th June 2017 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Focus Will wage growth strengthen again? We expect the expansion in the labour force to slow in coming years which suggests that wage growth should soon start picking up again. However, the shift to flexible employment forms, globalisation... 6th June 2017 · 1 min read
Australia & New Zealand Economics Update RBA willing to ignore the weak economy Even though the economy may have contracted in the first quarter, the Reserve Bank of Australia left interest rates at 1.5% today and retained its optimistic view on the economic outlook. We suspect... 6th June 2017 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Non-food inflation close to a peak We think headline inflation will have risen in May to a four-month high, driven by a further recovery in food price inflation. But looking ahead, CPI inflation is unlikely to rise much further this... 6th June 2017 · 1 min read
Asia Data Response Philippines and Taiwan Consumer Prices (May) The fall in Philippines inflation from 3.4% y/y in April to 3.1% y/y in May adds weight to our view that it is now past its peak. The modest decline was a touch lower than our forecast of 3.2%... 6th June 2017 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Labour Cash Earnings (Apr.) Following an unusually weak reading in March, the rebound in wage growth in April came as no surprise. But the bigger picture is that labour cash earnings are not growing fast enough to create... 6th June 2017 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Data Response Turkey CPI (May) The modest decline in Turkish inflation, to 11.7% y/y last month, supports our view that the MPC will end the recent monetary tightening cycle at next week’s meeting. 5th June 2017 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Kenya: Inflation will add to economic headwinds in 2017 Kenyan inflation will remain above-target for the duration of 2017, prompting the CBK to hike its key policy rate from 10.00% to 10.50%. Elevated inflation and tighter policy will weigh on growth. 2nd June 2017 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Consumer Confidence (May) Consumer sentiment rebounded in May and remains near the highest it has been since the sales tax hike. Meanwhile, household inflation expectations have started to recover again. 2nd June 2017 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Flash CPI (May) & Unemployment (Apr.) May’s decline in euro-zone inflation to a five-month low does not change our view that the ECB will alter its forward guidance next week. 31st May 2017 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Small Business Confidence (May) Small business confidence was little changed in May and points to continued gains in industrial output. But despite rising labour shortages, price pressures remain subdued. 31st May 2017 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update When will energy inflation peak? We expect energy inflation to peak next quarter and then drop back, providing another challenge to the Bank of Japan’s efforts to reach a 2% inflation target. 31st May 2017 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Chart Pack OPEC deal renewed, but Saudi nods towards “exit strategy” OPEC’s decision this month to roll over its oil output cuts displayed a rare sense of cohesion from the cartel, but there are signs that de-facto leader Saudi Arabia is seeking an eventual end to... 30th May 2017 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Low food inflation keeps EM inflation near eight-year low Aggregate EM inflation remained close to an eight-year low in April, largely reflecting a slump in food inflation in major economies such as China and Brazil. While this weakness will soon reverse in... 30th May 2017 · 1 min read