Emerging Europe Economics Update Polish central bank governor shifts emphasis to growth Following the surprise decision to leave interest rates on hold today, when most had expected a 25bp cut, Governor Belka didn’t close the door on further easing. But he did shift the emphasis onto... 5th November 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Chart Pack Bank lending still a major drag on growth The latest data have shown tentative signs of improvement in the euro-zone banking sector, with the pace of contraction in lending slowing slightly in September (see Chart) and the Bank Lending Survey... 5th November 2014 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Returning presidents dent hopes for reform Dilma Rousseff’s triumph in last month’s Brazilian presidential election made it a hat-trick of victories for incumbents in Latin America this year. Meanwhile, in Uruguay the Frente Amplio party is on... 5th November 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Sedlabanki cuts rates but may tighten next year Iceland’s central bank unexpectedly cut its main interest rate to 5.75% today, the first change in two years, as it lowered its inflation and growth forecasts. But we think it may have to reverse... 5th November 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Thailand's monetary policy to stay accommodative With the economic recovery still in the slow lane, the Bank of Thailand (BoT) unsurprisingly held its policy rate at 2.0% at its meeting today. As inflation is unlikely to emerge as a major policy... 5th November 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update Coordinated policy moves raise likelihood of sales tax hike The Bank of Japan’s decision on Friday to step up its pace of asset purchases has raised the chance that the sales tax will be increased again next year, but the decision is not yet a foregone... 5th November 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Sedlabanki cuts rates but may tighten next year Iceland’s central bank unexpectedly cut its main interest rate to 5.75% today, the first change in two years, as it lowered its inflation and growth forecasts. But we think it may have to reverse... 5th November 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update What can the ECB learn from the Bank of Japan? While the extension of the Bank of Japan’s quantitative easing programme may not deliver a sharp upturn in the Japanese economy, the signal it has sent regarding the future stance of Japanese monetary... 4th November 2014 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Higher interest rates on the horizon in Kenya The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 8.50% today, but we think that a pick-up in inflation and concerns about Kenya’s large current account deficit will prompt... 4th November 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Romania’s MPC dovish on inflation outlook Having cut its policy interest rate by 25bp to 2.75% earlier today, the Romanian MPC didn’t give much away about the outlook for monetary policy at the post-meeting press conference. Nonetheless... 4th November 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Gold referendum highlights limits of SNB policy Fears that a referendum over the Swiss National Bank’s (SNB’s) gold holdings might prevent the Bank defending its ceiling for the Swiss franc may be overblown. But the referendum highlights political... 4th November 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Australia's first rate hike further off than most expect The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) kept its policy rate on hold at 2.5% today and provided no surprises in its policy statement either. Once again it said that “the most prudent course is likely to... 4th November 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update Asset shortage no constraint on QQE Despite a significant acceleration in the pace of JGB purchases, a shortage of available assets will not pose a constraint on QQE anytime soon. 4th November 2014 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Gold referendum highlights limits of SNB policy Fears that a referendum over the Swiss National Bank’s (SNB’s) gold holdings might prevent the Bank defending its ceiling for the Swiss franc may be overblown. But the referendum highlights political... 4th November 2014 · 1 min read
Global Markets Outlook Bubble in US Treasuries should deflate soon If recent history is any guide, Fed tightening is unlikely to derail stock markets to the extent that many fear. Our view is that while US equities will struggle to make further headway, they will... 31st October 2014 · 1 min read
US Economics Update Faster wage growth could prompt Fed to hike rates The survey-based and anecdotal evidence has been pointing to a sharp acceleration in wage growth for some time, yet the growth rate of the monthly average hourly earnings measure has remained... 31st October 2014 · 1 min read
