Latin America Data Response Mexico Bi-Weekly Consumer Prices (Mar.) The fall in Mexican headline inflation in the first half of March, to 2.7% y/y from 2.9% y/y over February as a whole, confirms that overall price pressures remain in check for now. However, the rise... 22nd March 2016 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Nigeria: Partial U-turn further muddles monetary outlook The Central Bank of Nigeria hiking its key policy rate from 11.00% to 12.00% is, in many ways, a positive sign. But this flip-flop on rates will raise yet more questions about the unpredictable and... 22nd March 2016 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Hungary’s easing cycle has further to run The weak inflation outlook and prospects for slower growth mean Hungary’s easing cycle, which resumed today, has further to run – we anticipate a few more small rate reductions in the coming months... 22nd March 2016 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Brazil: time to call in the IMF? Given that Brazil’s growing debt burden is denominated overwhelmingly in local currency there is little need for the foreign currency financing that an IMF bailout would provide. Instead, the main... 22nd March 2016 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Consumer Prices & Public Finances (Feb.) February’s disappointing public finances figures were yet another blow for the Chancellor by suggesting the OBR’s new forecasts published in last week’s Budget already look too optimstic . Meanwhile... 22nd March 2016 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Macri makes big strides in first 100 days but work still to do President Mauricio Macri’s first 100 days in office have seen an impressive range of measures to put Argentina’s fragile balance of payments position on a more sustainable footing. By any reasonable... 21st March 2016 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Is there a role for “helicopter money”? Helicopter money may be the next big thing as policymakers reach the limits of standard unconventional policies. In theory, it can fund an unlimited increase in both public spending and the money... 21st March 2016 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Kenya & Ghana: Tightening cycles both set to reverse Today’s statements from the Ghanaian and Kenyan Central Banks were more dovish than we had anticipated. This supports our view that the Ghanaian authorities will cut rates later this year, and we have... 21st March 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Singapore housing: a bubble deflated Property prices in Singapore have fallen for ten consecutive quarters and we expect the slide to continue. The gradual deflation of what had looked like a potential housing bubble has left the economy... 18th March 2016 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Russian central bank continues to strike cautious note The statement by Russia’s central bank following its decision to leave its one-week repo rate unchanged earlier today was decidedly cautious and reinforces our view that any policy easing is only... 18th March 2016 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Weak Chilean economy means rate hikes will be gradual The Central Bank of Chile’s decision to keep interest rates on hold at 3.50% for the third consecutive month reinforces our view that the weakness of the economy will ensure the pace of further... 18th March 2016 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Egypt: pound devaluation prompts aggressive rate hike The Central Bank of Egypt’s larger-than-expected 150bp in its overnight deposit rate, to 10.75%, was a pre-emptive move to limit the inflationary impact from the recent devaluation of the pound. We... 17th March 2016 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update What options does Sweden’s Riksbank have left? The growing unease over the potential impact of negative interest rates suggests that Sweden’s Riksbank will think twice about cutting the repo rate further below zero. It can draw on other policy... 17th March 2016 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update South Africa: Inflation, rand weakness force painful hike Today’s interest rate hike in South Africa will be followed with further tightening later this year in response to the deteriorating inflation outlook. 17th March 2016 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Fiscal austerity keeps onus on MPC to support economy The MPC’s decision to leave interest rates on hold at 0.5% today – marking the 7th anniversary of rates being at this record low – was unsurprising given the softness of recent activity indicators and... 17th March 2016 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Fiscal austerity keeps onus on MPC to support economy The MPC’s decision to leave interest rates on hold at 0.5% today – marking the 7th anniversary of rates being at this record low – was unsurprising given the softness of recent activity indicators and... 17th March 2016 · 1 min read
