Europe Data Response French CPI (Oct.) Although France’s headline inflation rate ticked up in October, price pressures across the euro-zone’s core economies remain very weak, supporting the case for more policy support from the ECB. 12th November 2015 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Bank of Korea to hold rates through 2016 With the domestic economy showing signs of recovery, the Bank of Korea (BoK) left its policy rate unchanged at a record low of 1.50% today. We expect the BoK to keep rates on hold for the rest of 2015... 12th November 2015 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Data Response Swedish Consumer Prices (Oct. 15) The very low rate of inflation in Sweden in October suggests that the Riksbank will need to put any lingering concerns about household debt to one side and increase its monetary policy support in... 12th November 2015 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Labour market data (Sep./Oct.) Labour market activity is still looking quite healthy. But the slowdown in wage growth in the latest figures confirmed that an interest rate rise is still some way off. 11th November 2015 · 1 min read
China Data Response Consumer & Producer Prices (Oct.) Volatile food prices aside, price pressures were largely stable in October. Looking ahead, we expect inflation to edge higher in the coming months. But the window for further interest rate cuts will... 10th November 2015 · 1 min read
UK Economics Weekly Closer than it looks Downgrades to the Bank of England’s inflation projections in its Inflation Report last week were widely anticipated. Nonetheless, sterling’s tumble against the dollar and the euro after its release... 6th November 2015 · 1 min read
US Economics Weekly Business investment not unusually low The current level of business investment is not unusually low, with firms opting to use funds to pay dividends or buy back equity instead. Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean the outlook for business... 6th November 2015 · 1 min read
US Data Response Employment Report (Oct.) The much bigger than expected 271,000 surge in non-farm payrolls in October confirms that the weakness in August and September was just a temporary blip and, given the circumstances, a December... 6th November 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly ECB can’t rely on Fed to do its work With the composite euro-zone PMI pointing to steady growth and hawkish comments from Fed Chair Janet Yellen pushing the euro down to a four-month low against the dollar, further policy loosening by... 6th November 2015 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Poland, the PiS and a populist shift Last month’s Polish election heralds a shift towards more populist policymaking under Law and Justice (PiS). In this Watch, we look at which areas are most likely to see a shift in policy and what the... 6th November 2015 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Will the inclusion of the RMB in the SDR be a game-changer? Although the addition of China’s currency to the SDR basket may provide a short-term boost for the renminbi, its appeal as a reserve asset will be constrained by lack of convertibility and liquidity... 6th November 2015 · 1 min read
India Economics Update Inflation set to accelerate again Inflation is likely to have risen in October, as the favourable base effects that helped to anchor food inflation in recent months continue to fade. With inflation expectations also edging up, there... 6th November 2015 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Political uncertainty causes Romanian MPC to sounds cautious The press conference following the Romanian MPC meeting earlier today confirmed our view that the resignation of the Prime Minister yesterday would prompt the Council to adopt a more cautious line... 5th November 2015 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update MPC still in no hurry to hike The “Super Thursday” announcements from the MPC were on the whole quite dovish, with the Committee signaling that it is still in no hurry to raise interest rates. We remain comfortable with our view... 5th November 2015 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Rates to remain on hold in Malaysia throughout 2016 Today’s decision by Malaysia’s central bank (BNM) to keep interest rates on hold at 3.25% indicates that it is more worried about currency weakness than the slowing economy. We expect rates will... 5th November 2015 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update How long will the Gulf’s foreign exchange reserves last? Substantial foreign exchange reserves mean that most of the Gulf economies can afford to adjust gradually to a prolonged period of cheap oil. Kuwait and the UAE are in the strongest position, but... 5th November 2015 · 1 min read