Japan Economic Outlook Headwinds strengthening We still think that the impact of October’s sales tax hike on consumption will be smaller than after previous tax hikes. But the outlook for external demand remains poor and firms have become less... 9th October 2019 · 22 mins read
Australia & New Zealand Economics Update New Zealand - RBNZ to cut rates more sharply than most expect We now expect growth in New Zealand to ease from 2.2% in 2019 to 1.5% in 2020. Along with a rising unemployment rate, weak economic activity will prompt the RBNZ to cut rates twice next year. 9th October 2019 · 3 mins read
India Economic Outlook Stimulus to drive rebound in growth India’s economy slowed sharply in the first half of the year but, with policy support being stepped up, growth should gradually recover. And despite the recent soft patch for the economy, we remain... 8th October 2019 · 19 mins read
India Economics Update Inflation Monitor (Sep.) Headline consumer price inflation is likely to have jumped in September on the back of a surge in onion prices. But that’ll hardly bring tears to the eyes of the RBI, as it is likely to have stayed... 7th October 2019 · 3 mins read
Australia & New Zealand Economics Update Cheap long-term loans wouldn’t replace QE Once interest rates approach their lower bound, the RBA could provide long-term loans to banks and link their interest rate to the amount of new lending those banks undertake. However, if the Bank... 7th October 2019 · 3 mins read
Emerging Markets Economics Update Are EMs reaching the limits of monetary policy? If faced with a steep downturn, most EM central banks would be able to cut interest rates substantially in order to cushion their economies. Interest rates in a handful of countries are close to the... 4th October 2019 · 3 mins read
Africa Economics Weekly CBN ups pressure on banks, ANC balks at reforms The Central Bank of Nigeria increased pressure on commercial banks to extend more loans this week, but we doubt that the new targets will have much effect. Elsewhere, South African leaders seem to be... 4th October 2019 · 5 mins read
India Economics Update RBI prolongs easing cycle The Reserve Bank reverted back to a 25bp rate cut today and has left the door open for further easing in the near term. But we are firmly non-consensus in expecting modest rate hikes by the end of... 4th October 2019 · 3 mins read
Australia & New Zealand Economics Weekly RBA has more work to do The RBA’s interest rate cuts are running into diminishing returns as banks are protecting their net interest margins and loan demand remains muted. Meanwhile, the sluggish increase in retail sales in... 4th October 2019 · 3 mins read
Japan Economics Weekly Are we any closer to a rate cut? This week brought more evidence that consumers rushed to bring forward spending ahead of the tax hike that took place on Tuesday. Meanwhile, capacity shortages are diminishing and firms are becoming... 4th October 2019 · 6 mins read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Icelandic easing cycle has further to run Having cut its key interest rate by 25bps this morning, we now expect the Central Bank of Iceland (CBI) to stay in easing mode over the coming months and to reduce rates to 2.75% by year-end. 2nd October 2019 · 2 mins read
Europe Economics Update ECB to increase corporate bond purchases next year We think that the ECB will increase its monthly bond-buying next year by purchasing more corporate debt. This would lead to a marked pick-up in bond issuance, but only a small increase in investment. 2nd October 2019 · 3 mins read
Australia & New Zealand Economics Update Natural unemployment rate probably still at 4% We still believe that the unemployment rate would have to fall to 4.0% to meet the RBA’s definition of full employment. With the actual unemployment rate now at 5.3% and rising, that means that the... 2nd October 2019 · 2 mins read
Australia & New Zealand Economics Update RBA to cut rates to 0.5% by year-end The RBA cut interest rates to 0.75% as widely anticipated and we think it will lower rates to 0.5% by the end of the year. Rates approaching the zero lower bound will inevitably invite speculation... 1st October 2019 · 3 mins read
Europe Economics Update Rise in interbank rates not due to ECB tiering Suggestions that the recent rise in interbank rates was caused by the ECB’s new tiered interest rate system are wide of the mark. Instead, the increase reflects investors’ re-evaluation of the outlook... 30th September 2019 · 3 mins read
