Latin America Economics Update Venezuela’s economic measures too little too late The move by Venezuelan policymakers to devalue the official exchange rates and raise fuel prices will help to ease the pressure on the public finances, but the measures fall chronically short of what... 18th February 2016 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Lower interest rates to save Osborne’s bacon again While most developments since November’s Autumn Statement bode poorly for the public finances, lower interest rates should provide an offset. However, the Chancellor would be unwise to spend this... 18th February 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Bank Indonesia likely to cut one more time Bank Indonesia today cut its main policy rate by 25 basis points to 7.00%. We believe that one more cut is likely in this cycle. Today’s statement hints that, as long as the recent market calm... 18th February 2016 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Data Response Swedish Consumer Prices (Jan. 16) Although Sweden’s headline inflation rate rose by more than expected in January, the upward trend is far from assured. As such, we still see a strong possibility of additional policy easing by the... 18th February 2016 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Mexico responds to market turmoil Expectations of lower inflation have probably played only a minor role in the fall in Treasury inflation compensation – the gap between the nominal yields of conventional Treasuries and the real... 17th February 2016 · 1 min read
China Economics Focus Can China turn itself around? The inept response by China’s policymakers to the pressures of the last few months has rightly diminished confidence in their ability to handle the structural transition China faces in the years ahead... 17th February 2016 · 14 mins read
Global Economics Update Credit growth still strong in the US, and rebounding in China Broad money growth has slowed somewhat in the four major advanced economies in recent months. However, bank lending to the private sector, which is a better guide to economic prospects, has generally... 17th February 2016 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update No need for the UK to join the negative rate club Talk of a UK interest rate cut has resurfaced in recent weeks, following the deterioration in global market sentiment and the moves by other central banks to cut rates. There is certainly scope for... 17th February 2016 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Reaction to Riksbank’s rate cut won’t deter ECB The adverse reaction to the decision by Sweden’s Riksbank to lower its policy rate further below zero illustrates investors’ concerns about the impact of negative interest rates on banks’... 17th February 2016 · 1 min read
Africa Data Response South Africa Consumer Prices (Jan.) South African inflation accelerated to 6.2% y/y in January in what we believe is the beginning of a food price-driven inflationary spike. Elevated inflation will add to dilemma facing the SARB. 17th February 2016 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Reaction to Riksbank’s rate cut won’t deter ECB The adverse reaction to the decision by Sweden’s Riksbank to lower its policy rate further below zero illustrates investors’ concerns about the impact of negative interest rates on banks’... 17th February 2016 · 1 min read
US Economics Update Fed unlikely to follow others in adopting negative rates Although a number of other central banks have now adopted negative policy rates, the chances of the Fed following suit are pretty small. Even if US economic conditions deteriorated, we suspect that... 16th February 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Bank of Korea to maintain wait and see stance The Bank of Korea (BoK) left its policy rate unchanged at a record low of 1.50% today against a backdrop of heightened financial market volatility. While we can’t rule out a rate cut in the coming... 16th February 2016 · 1 min read
China Data Response Bank Lending & Broad Credit (Jan.) Today’s data point to a sharp acceleration in credit growth going into 2016. This is consistent with our view that growth is more likely to pick up than slow over the coming quarters. 16th February 2016 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update If 2004 was a conundrum, 2016 is even more of a puzzle Eleven years ago, Alan Greenspan described the behaviour of bond markets as a “conundrum” in testimony to the Senate. This was because long-term yields had trended lower, even as the US FOMC had... 15th February 2016 · 1 min read
China Economics Update PBOC still far from exhausting reserves The idea that the People’s Bank is running out of FX reserves doesn’t stand up to scrutiny. But the fact that many take it seriously is a sign of how far sentiment has swung against China. 15th February 2016 · 1 min read
