US Economics Weekly Fed too complacent on inflation We don’t agree with Janet Yellen’s view that the recent rise in inflation is just noise. Instead, it is clear to us that a widespread strengthening in price pressures in areas as diverse as rents... 23rd June 2014 · 1 min read
UK Economics Weekly Maradona Carney turns full circle The trickle of warnings of a not-too-distant policy tightening from the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) turned into something more closely resembling a flood last week. Ultimately, however, it is the... 23rd June 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Weekly Underlying price pressure has eased dramatically April’s consumption tax hike has made it more difficult to assess the strength of consumer price pressures. But different approaches that make allowance for the one-off impact of the tax increase lead... 23rd June 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Diesel price deregulation an early test for Modi in India Diesel subsidies in India have burned a sizeable hole in the government’s pocket over the past few years. But the stage appears to be set for a full deregulation of diesel prices in the coming months... 23rd June 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Norges Bank opening its eyes to weakening economy As we expected given signs of a slowdown in the energy sector, the Norges Bank pushed back its first projected rate hike until 2016. Although the krone weakened on the news, the economic slowdown may... 19th June 2014 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Update Household financial leverage still dangerously high While Canadian policymakers will be somewhat relieved to learn that household financial leverage hasn't risen any higher this year, it hasn't fallen either, meaning that heavily indebted households... 19th June 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Further tightening likely in the Philippines The central bank in the Philippines (BSP) today tightened monetary policy again in an attempt to reduce risks in the financial sector and clamp down on rising inflation. We think further tightening is... 19th June 2014 · 1 min read
Latin America Economic Outlook Stuck in the slow lane Latin America’s economy looks set to remain stuck in the slow lane over the next couple of years. The drivers of strong growth over the past decade – including rapid credit growth and strong global... 19th June 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update SNB on hold for now, but further action will be needed The Swiss National Bank (SNB) today maintained its strongly supportive policy stance, pledging to enforce the ceiling on the Swiss franc with “the utmost determination”. We think that the SNB will be... 19th June 2014 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update SNB on hold for now, but further action will be needed The Swiss National Bank (SNB) today maintained its strongly supportive policy stance, pledging to enforce the ceiling on the Swiss franc with “the utmost determination”. We think that the SNB will... 19th June 2014 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Norges Bank opening its eyes to weakening economy As we expected given signs of a slowdown in the energy sector, the Norges Bank pushed back its first projected rate hike until 2016. Although the krone weakened on the news, the economic slowdown may... 19th June 2014 · 1 min read
US Economics Update Fed sticks to the QE tapering plan Despite the contraction in first-quarter GDP, the falling unemployment rate and signs of a pick-up in inflation persuaded the Fed to stick to its existing plan and taper its asset purchases by a... 18th June 2014 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus Are the housing market's warning lights flashing? The recent drop in mortgage approvals does not negate the need for the FPC to test its new macro-prudential powers . For one thing, we expect the drop in lending to be temporary. In addition, the re... 18th June 2014 · 1 min read
UK Data Response MPC minutes (Jun.) While the minutes of June’s MPC meeting provided some relief that no members have voted to raise rates just yet, they also sounded a hawkish note in reiterating the Governor’s warning that there is a... 18th June 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Pressure for rate cuts is easing in Thailand The Bank of Thailand (BoT) unsurprisingly kept its policy rate on hold at 2.0% today amid signs that the worst effects of the political crisis on the economy are probably over. Provided the economy... 18th June 2014 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus Will low inflation keep the MPC at bay? Low inflation will not stop interest rates from rising, perhaps quite soon. But it should limit the size and speed of any increase and help the economic recovery to continue largely unconstrained. 17th June 2014 · 1 min read
