US Chart Pack Slump in productivity growth could be pivotal Fed officials haven't had a lot to say about the slump in productivity growth but, just as the upsurge in productivity growth in the 1990s was crucial in allowing the Fed to leave rates lower for... 25th March 2015 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Chart Pack Central Europe shaping up well at the start of 2015 Despite concerns about deflation, a recession in Russia and sluggishness in the euro-zone, the latest data out of Central Europe have been surprisingly robust. Industrial production growth has... 25th March 2015 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Chart Pack Saudi Arabia refuses to budge Even though oil prices continue to languish at around $55pb, there is still no sign that Saudi Arabia will give in to pressure from other OPEC members to cut oil output. Oil Minister, Ali al-Naimi... 25th March 2015 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Currency strength one reason Asian rates will stay low, for now Currency strength in Emerging Asia has been a factor in the region's recent wave of policy loosening. It appears to be undermining export competitiveness and has helped push inflation down further... 25th March 2015 · 1 min read
Asia Chart Pack Exports take a turn for the worse Emerging Asia’s exports have taken a turn for the worse in recent months. Leaving out China, the region’s merchandise exports, measured in US dollar terms, contracted at the sharpest annual rate in... 24th March 2015 · 1 min read
US Data Response Consumer Prices (Feb.) The 0.2% m/m increase in February's consumer prices was enough to pull the US out of deflation after only one month, with the annual inflation rate rebounding from -0.1% to 0.0%. But there is a good... 24th March 2015 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Consumer Prices & Producer Prices (Feb.) With inflation hitting zero in February, the UK is on the cusp of deflation. But a brief period of gently falling prices driven by lower energy prices is nothing to be feared – in the UK, at least... 24th March 2015 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Small Business Confidence (Mar.) The surge in small business confidence in March is likely to prove short lived, as firms predict a renewed weakening in April. 24th March 2015 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Flash Manufacturing PMI (Mar.) The second straight drop in the manufacturing PMI suggests that the recent strength in industrial activity is unlikely to last. 24th March 2015 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update A closer look at the jump in Brazilian inflation We estimate that all of the jump in inflation in Brazil over the past year can be explained by increases in government-regulated prices and a drought-related rise in food costs. Both of these effects... 23rd March 2015 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Weekly Shunto pay hikes still too small to lift inflation to 2% The early results from this year’s spring wage negotiations confirm that the tight labour market has boosted wage pressure. However, this year’s overall increase in labour income will likely still... 20th March 2015 · 1 min read
UK Economics Weekly Is there light at the end of the austerity tunnel? In a Budget devoid of significant pre-election giveaways or major revisions to the economic forecasts, the most important changes were to the spending plans. While the Chancellor stuck to his overall... 20th March 2015 · 1 min read
Canada Data Response Consumer Prices (Feb.) While February's headline inflation rate remained at 1.0%, the core inflation rate eased to 2.1%, from 2.2%. These figures by themselves won't sway the Bank of Canada to cut interest rates further... 20th March 2015 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Deflation Watch: Still on track for negative inflation soon Tuesday’s inflation figures are likely to show the UK taking another step further towards deflation. And the recent rise in the pound will put additional downward pressure on inflation further ahead... 20th March 2015 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Shunto pay hikes still too small to lift inflation to 2% The early results from this year’s spring wage negotiations confirm that the tight labour market has boosted wage pressure. However, this year’s overall increase in labour income will likely still... 20th March 2015 · 1 min read
Canada Chart Pack Economy slowing sharper than headlines suggest Canada's economy continued to lose momentum in the final quarter of last year and the slowdown was only partly due to lower oil prices. Furthermore, the seemingly gradual slowdown in headline GDP... 19th March 2015 · 1 min read
