Emerging Europe Rapid Response Romania Interest Rate Announcement (Jan.) The decision by the National Bank of Romania to leave its policy rate on hold again today, at 6.50%, was widely expected by analysts, and we think that high inflation will continue to prevent interest... 19th January 2026 · 2 mins read
Japan Economics Update Is PM Takaichi creating her own Liz Truss moment? Our base case remains that Japan will avoid a fiscal crisis as its public debt dynamics are more favourable than is widely understood. However, there are mounting risks that PM Takaichi will only rein... 19th January 2026 · 4 mins read
Emerging Europe Rapid Response Russia Consumer Prices (Dec. 2025) The further sharp fall in Russian inflation, to 5.6% y/y in December, will be welcomed by the central bank but this is likely to be temporary as a result of the VAT hike that came into force this... 16th January 2026 · 2 mins read
Europe Economics Update ECB independence is not at risk The ECB does not face the same imminent threat to its independence as the US Fed, but it could come under more pressure from politicians in future. However, it would be much harder for governments to... 16th January 2026 · 3 mins read
Africa Economics Weekly Angola’s aggressive rate cut, SA’s political instability Angola’s central bank cut interest rates by more than expected this week to prop up struggling growth, but growing imbalances make the kwanza vulnerable to falls which could bring this monetary easing... 16th January 2026 · 6 mins read
Latin America Economics Weekly US-Venezuela thaw, Mexico’s AI exports, BanRep hikes Recent developments point to a thawing in relations between the US and Venezuela under interim President Delcy Rodríguez, with a possible rolling back of sanctions now being discussed by US officials... 16th January 2026 · 5 mins read
Emerging Europe Economics Weekly Iran spillovers, CEE activity, Russian inflation spike The spillover effects for economies in Emerging Europe from the protests in Iran this week will largely depend on how commodity prices move. From a political standpoint, the protests are another blow... 16th January 2026 · 7 mins read
UK Economics Weekly February may be too soon, but rate cuts to keep on coming Unless next week’s labour market and inflation data are unanimously weak, February may be too soon for another interest rate cut given the Bank of England’s hawkish tilt at its December meeting. But... 16th January 2026 · 10 mins read
Europe Economics Update Digital euro could yet become a reality The chance of the ECB launching a digital euro has risen over the past year. However, it is unlikely to see light of day until 2029 at the earliest and, by design, total holdings are likely to be... 16th January 2026 · 3 mins read
Japan Economics Weekly Hawkish BoJ may lift JGB yields even further We aren’t convinced that the continued rise in long-term bond yields coupled with the further weakening of the yen signals a loss of confidence in Japanese assets. But if the BoJ signals a more... 16th January 2026 · 5 mins read
China Economics Update Limited monetary easing won’t boost growth The PBOC has announced plans to cut interest rates on structural policy tools, and suggested broader-based policy rate cuts are on the horizon. But we doubt rate cuts will be enough to drive up loan... 15th January 2026 · 3 mins read
Latin America Economics Update Brazil: some signs of cooling in the labour market Brazil’s labour market has been a key pillar of strength during the post-pandemic boom, but there are signs that conditions are now starting to cool. While this should take some pressure off wage... 15th January 2026 · 5 mins read
Asia Economics Update Hawkish BoK rules out near-term interest rate cuts The Bank of Korea today left interest rates unchanged as expected, but the central bank’s accompanying statement and the commentary from Governor Rhee were much more hawkish than anticipated. This... 15th January 2026 · 3 mins read
Bank of Japan Watch BoJ will signal more rate hikes The Bank of Japan’s Board will revise up their GDP growth forecasts next week as downside risks from tariffs have abated. And while the government’s energy subsidies will result in lower forecasts for... 15th January 2026 · 7 mins read
Emerging Markets Economics Chart Pack Emerging Markets Chart Pack (January 2026) EM GDP growth will slow to ~3.5% in 2026-27, the weakest rate in the past three decades outside times of crisis. But there are wide divergences at a country level. Much of the weakness in EM growth... 14th January 2026 · 1 min read
