Europe Data Response German ZEW Survey (Mar.) & Euro-zone Final CPI (Feb.) March’s fall in German ZEW investor sentiment confirms that confidence in the economic recovery remains fairly fragile. And with euro-zone CPI inflation still very subdued, the ECB is under no... 16th March 2010 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Inflation expectations are falling. Should we care? Figures released today suggest that inflation expectations are easing in China. This measure of expectations has a very poor record as a guide to what is about to happen to inflation, but the latest... 16th March 2010 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Seven misconceptions about China We find it increasingly hard to recognise the inflation-ridden, bubble-filled China that we read about in the newspapers. Popular consensus seems to be settling on the view that China is overheating... 16th March 2010 · 1 min read
China Economics Update No rush to tighten Relatively mild increases in consumer and property prices in the first two months of the year relax pressure for immediate policy tightening in China. 11th March 2010 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Producer Prices (Feb.) February’s UK producer prices figures have brought the first hints that cost pressures in the production sector may be starting to ease a bit. 5th March 2010 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Inflation Monitor (Feb.) Consumer price inflation probably climbed to more than 2% last month and is likely to continue drifting higher. But a closer look shows few signs of major price pressures. 2nd March 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone CPI (Final Jan.), Ger. & Sp. CPI (1st Est. Feb.) The latest euro-zone, German and Spanish CPI figures highlight the continued lack of inflation pressure in the region. The ECB’s main worry should be the continued threat of deflation, rather than a... 26th February 2010 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Output, Housing, CPI (Jan.) & Manuf. PMI (Feb.) The latest activity and survey data support our view that Japan’s GDP growth will continue to surprise the markets on the upside in the first half of the year, but the CPI data do nothing to ease... 26th February 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Malaysia jumps the queue and should hike next week Today was Malaysia’s turn to report Q4 GDP growth far stronger than the consensus and even our more-bullish-than-most expectations. All the positives will probably stay in place in coming quarters and... 24th February 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economic Outlook Upswings to stay impressive for a while (Q1 10) The trade-dependent economies will eventually see slower GDP growth later this year and in 2011 as the global upswing loses momentum. But Asia’s rebound will not come to a complete halt and growth, by... 19th February 2010 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Overseas inflation more reassuring for the UK than it looks The UK has not been alone in seeing inflation rise recently, prompting the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to suggest that common factors may therefore be keeping inflation high globally. However, a... 18th February 2010 · 1 min read
UK Data Response UK Consumer Prices (Jan.) January’s consumer prices figures should provide some reassurance that, behind the special factors currently pushing inflation higher, underlying price pressures in the UK economy remain pretty... 16th February 2010 · 1 min read
UK Economics Weekly MPC retains faith in spare capacity to reduce inflation Last week’s Inflation Report was always likely to show a downward revision to the MPC’s growth forecasts and it duly delivered. But less certain was whether the recent rise in inflation would have... 15th February 2010 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Inflation fears set to return Today’s inflation and loan data, and the latest statement from the People’s Bank, may reassure markets that the pace of tightening in China will not be as fast as many had feared. This seems right to... 11th February 2010 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Surveys point to significant amount of spare capacity In yesterday’s Inflation Report, the Bank of England highlighted the uncertainties surrounding the amount of spare capacity in the economy. Indeed, the recent stubbornness of UK inflation has led to... 11th February 2010 · 1 min read
