Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Norges Bank will be forced into a cut by end-2013 The Norges Bank left interest rates unchanged today as concerns about rising household debt once again outweighed the need to weaken the currency and boost inflation. But our expectation for the euro... 8th May 2013 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Kenyan rates unlikely to fall further The Central Bank of Kenya cut its benchmark interest rate by a larger-than-expected 100bp to 8.50% today but, with inflation having bottomed out and the current account deficit still a cause for... 7th May 2013 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Brazilian consumers starting to feel the strain The recent slump in retail sales in Brazil probably overstates the true weakness of consumer spending. Nonetheless, putting to one side the volatility of the monthly data, there are signs that Brazil... 7th May 2013 · 1 min read
UK Economic Outlook The squeeze continues The squeeze on consumers’ real pay will intensify even further over the next few months. Thereafter it should abate, although sub-par rates of spending growth are likely to continue for some time. 7th May 2013 · 1 min read
BoE Watch King unlikely to get his way before he leaves Mervyn King looks unlikely to get his wish for more asset purchases fulfilled before he leaves at the end of June. Hopes therefore rest on Mr Carney spurring the Committee into action when he arrives... 7th May 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Australia likely to cut its policy rate again The Reserve Bank of Australia cut its cash rate by 25bp to 2.75% at its policy meeting today. We expect it to cut again before the end of Q3 to compensate for a cooling mining boom. 7th May 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update India set to take a more cautious approach to rate cuts Today's policy rate cut by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is likely to be the last for several months. We think the RBI will pause to assess the impact of the 75bp of rate cuts seen so far this year... 3rd May 2013 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Romania signals rate cuts Romanian policymakers provided pretty clear signs this afternoon that they plan to start easing policy. They were ambiguous on the timing, but we think that interest rate cuts could come once... 2nd May 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update ECB rate cut will be of limited use The ECB’s widely anticipated interest rate cut should provide troubled banks in the region’s periphery with some much-needed support. But it will not be enough to drag the euro-zone out of recession... 2nd May 2013 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Weak industry and low inflation to trigger Polish rate cut April’s PMIs show signs of a renewed downturn in manufacturing in Central Europe. And tempting as it is to blame the weakness of German industry, it looks like domestic factors are playing a role too... 2nd May 2013 · 1 min read
US Economics Update Fed appears less inclined to curb QE anytime soon The Fed's assessment of the economic outlook didn't change much in the statement issued today, but the FOMC nevertheless felt it necessary to flag up explicitly that the pace of asset purchases could... 1st May 2013 · 1 min read
US Data Response Conf. Board Consumer Confidence (Apr.) The sharp rebound in April's Conference Board's measure of consumer confidence to 68.1, from an upwardly revised 61.9 in March, was driven by the decline in gasoline prices and the continued rally in... 30th April 2013 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Household Borrowing Monitor (Mar.) March’s household borrowing figures saw a continuation of the modest expansion of credit seen in recent months. But there remains little sign of any move back to the pace of borrowing seen prior to... 30th April 2013 · 1 min read
UK Data Response GfK/NOP Consumer Confidence (Apr.) April’s slight fall in the level of consumer confidence provides further evidence that the consumer sector won’t see a meaningful recovery this year. With employment falling and real pay contracting... 30th April 2013 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Colombian interest rates on hold for foreseeable future The Colombian government’s stimulus package may boost industry at the margin, but it is unlikely to solve the problem of an overvalued peso and widening economic imbalances. As a result, we doubt that... 29th April 2013 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Weekly Doubts lingering at the BoJ Friday’s Bank of Japan meeting was mainly concerned with tying up loose ends left over after the policy overhaul earlier in April. But it also revealed that some Policy Board members are unconvinced... 29th April 2013 · 1 min read
