Europe Data Response Euro-zone Flash CPI (Jul.) & Unemployment (Jun.) July’s increase in euro-zone inflation probably reflected developments in energy and food prices, while core inflation remained low. The still high rate of unemployment in the region points to further... 30th July 2010 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Activity Data & CPI (Jun.) Today's headline data for June were bad, with the unemployment rate unexpectedly rising from 5.2% to 5.3% and industrial production unexpectedly falling by 1.5% m/m. However, these figures probably... 30th July 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Vietnam's muddled policy-making gets what is deserved The Fitch downgrade of Vietnam’s foreign currency debt, announced today, was no surprise. Over the last six months domestic policies have see-sawed between fighting inflation and boosting growth while... 29th July 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response German CPI (1st Est. Jul.) July’s increase in German HICP inflation, from 0.8% to 1.2%, was probably driven by a temporary rise in the energy and food components. With core inflation still very subdued and likely to remain so... 28th July 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Turkish policymakers remain resolutely dovish Turkey’s Q3 Inflation Report confirms that policymakers remain resolutely dovish and relaxed about the inflation outlook. We now think that interest rates will stay on hold until 2011. Furthermore... 27th July 2010 · 1 min read
UK Economics Weekly Pick-up in services inflation shouldn’t last Last week’s rise in core inflation suggested that the spare capacity in the economy still isn’t having much of an impact. Core goods inflation is now on a downward trend – but is being offset by a... 19th July 2010 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Weekly Would an inflation target help? The success of “Your Party” in the Upper House elections has put the idea of an explicit inflation target for the Bank of Japan back on the policy agenda. A decent case can be made for at least a... 19th July 2010 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update Bank of Japan errs on the side of caution The Bank of Japan’s policy statement today was cautious in its assessment of the economic recovery, revising up the growth forecast for this year to reflect the latest data but leaving next year’s... 15th July 2010 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Downside risks to growth intensify China’s Q2 GDP growth was in line with our expectation, but unexpected weakness in the June activity data suggests the government may be forced to loosen policy sooner than originally thought. 15th July 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Central Europe inflation outlook still extremely benign The economies of Central Europe may be on the road to recovery but the large amounts of spare capacity created by last year’s recession means that the outlook for inflation remains extremely benign... 13th July 2010 · 1 min read
UK Data Response UK Consumer Prices (Jun.) The further fall in headline inflation in June suggests that there is still little pressing need for an interest rate rise. But with core price pressures remaining stubborn, inflation nerves will... 13th July 2010 · 1 min read
UK Data Response UK Trade (May) May’s trade figures continued the recent run of disappointing news on the UK recovery. But at least price pressures in the industrial sector appear to be easing. 9th July 2010 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Inflation Monitor (Jun.) Inflation might have risen again last month but the peak is probably not far away. 8th July 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Has Russia won its battle with inflation? Despite repeated warnings from Russia’s inflation hawks, price pressures in Emerging Europe’s largest economy have continued to abate. We expect disinflationary forces to dominate for a while... 8th July 2010 · 1 min read
