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
Europe Economics Update Norges Bank policy unchanged, but rate cut likely next year The Norges Bank left its policy rate on hold today, but its loosening cycle is not over. Inflation looks set to fall next year and, as a result, we have pencilled in a 25 basis point cut in March. 5th November 2015 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Data Response Swiss Consumer Prices (Oct. 15) Swiss CPI inflation held at a record low in October, increasing the likelihood that the SNB will intervene in foreign exchange markets before long to prevent a renewed appreciation of the franc from... 5th November 2015 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Norges Bank policy unchanged, but rate cut likely next year The Norges Bank left its policy rate on hold today, but its loosening cycle is not over. Inflation looks set to fall next year and, as a result, we have pencilled in a 25 basis point cut in March. 5th November 2015 · 1 min read
Canada Economic Outlook Economy will struggle to cope with oil shock Although the mild recession in the first half of this year has ended, the drag from falling business investment triggered by the slump in oil prices is far from over and growing imbalances in the... 4th November 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Iceland raises rates and tightening cycle not yet over Today’s decision by Iceland’s central bank to raise its key interest rates by 25bp does not mark the end of its tightening cycle. A further rate rise is likely at the next meeting in December. 4th November 2015 · 1 min read
India Economics Update Is monetary policy “just right”? Comments this week from RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley hint at a welcome thawing in their frosty relationship. What’s more, they support our view that the rate-cutting... 4th November 2015 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Interest rates to remain low in Thailand for some time yet With the economy starting to show some tentative signs of recovery, the Bank of Thailand (BoT) decided to leave interest rates on hold at 1.50% today. Looking ahead, with inflation likely to remain... 4th November 2015 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Iceland raises rates and tightening cycle not yet over Today’s decision by Iceland’s central bank to raise its key interest rates by 25bp does not mark theend of its tightening cycle. A further rate rise is likely at the next meeting in December. 4th November 2015 · 1 min read
China Economics Update The implications for China of deposit rate liberalisation When the PBOC cut benchmark interest rates late last month, it also removed the regulatory ceiling on banks’ deposit rates. This final step in liberalising interest rates came sooner than many had... 3rd November 2015 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Zambia: Currency crisis prompts sharp rate hike The Bank of Zambia’s decision to hike rates by 300bps was a predictable response to last month’s inflation surge. And with the currency likely to remain under pressure, further hikes remain possible. 3rd November 2015 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Data Response Turkey CPI (Oct.) On the face of it, the fall in Turkish inflation last month to a weaker-than-expected 7.6% y/y looks encouraging. However, this masks the fact that core inflation rose to its highest rate in almost a... 3rd November 2015 · 1 min read
Australia & New Zealand Economics Update Low inflation will soon prompt RBA to cut again Although the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) once again decided to leave interest rates on hold at 2.0%, the new line in the statement that "the outlook for inflation may afford scope for further... 3rd November 2015 · 1 min read
