US Fed Watch Fed unlikely to taper QE3 soon We don’t expect that the recent improvement in labour market conditions and growing concerns over the costs of ultra-loose monetary policy will prompt the Fed to reduce the size of its monthly asset... 13th March 2013 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Older workers offer a mixed blessing The UK’s impressive employment performance has been driven in large part by a dramatic rise in employment among elderly people. This is a desirable development in light of the UK’s ageing population... 13th March 2013 · 1 min read
US Data Response Retail Sales (Feb. 13) February’s retail sales figures suggest that, so far at least, households are coping well with the burden of more taxation and higher gasoline prices. It now looks as though consumption growth in the... 13th March 2013 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update First thoughts on Russia's new central bank governor The decision by President Putin to nominate his economic advisor, Elvira Nabiullina, to be the next governor of the Central Bank of Russia is a blow to hopes for a more independent monetary policy... 12th March 2013 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Kenyan rate cutting cycle has probably ended The Central Bank of Kenya kept its benchmark interest rate on hold at 9.50% today and, with inflation having bottomed out and the current account deficit still a cause for concern, we think this marks... 12th March 2013 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update What impact will sterling's drop have on retailers' profits? Sterling’s fall has clouded the outlook for retailers’ profits by pushing up import prices. However, their profitability should still improve over the next year or two thanks to the fading of other... 12th March 2013 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Focus Will Denmark remain the Nordic laggard? Denmark is finally dragging itself out of its long slump. Households have started to deleverage, exporters have become more competitive and banks are now stronger. But given that these adjustments... 12th March 2013 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Mexico rate cut likely to be a one-off Today’s cut in Mexican interest rates was a surprise, particularly in light of further evidence that the US economy is strengthening. We suspect that it was a one-off and do not think it marks the... 8th March 2013 · 1 min read
US Economics Update Economy-wide deleveraging may be over The economy-wide deleveraging process, which has constrained the economic recovery over the past four years, may now be over. Moreover, as any remaining deleveraging in the household sector can be... 8th March 2013 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Peru: weaker currency bolsters case for holding rates The Peruvian Central Bank (BCRP) has deployed a raft of measures to combat currency appreciation in early 2013 and for the moment, at least, appears to be succeeding in its efforts. With the nuevo sol... 8th March 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update ECB hints at limited support at best While some members of the European Central Bank’s Governing Council voted for an interest rate cut today, the majority still seems unconvinced that this would do any good. What’s more, the Bank... 7th March 2013 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Economics Update Should we worry about EM central bank independence? Fears that politicians in the emerging world are trying to tighten their grip over monetary policy are generally wide of the mark. But Hungary is a notable exception. 7th March 2013 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update MPC stays its hand, for now Although the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) left policy on hold again today, we expect that it will not take much to swing a majority of members in support of more stimulus in the near future. While... 7th March 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Malaysia under little pressure to hike rates Malaysia’s central bank (BNM) held its overnight rate at 3.0% at its meeting today, as was widely expected. Despite a pick-up in GDP growth, there is little pressure on BNM to hike rates in 2013. 7th March 2013 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Brazil paves the way for policy tightening Brazil left interest rates unchanged last night but the accompanying statement suggested that without fresh evidence that inflation pressures are easing, policy will be tightened at the next month’s... 7th March 2013 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update Bank of Japan awaits Kuroda but will surely move in April The Bank of Japan’s decision to leave policy on hold today was widely expected in the light of the leadership changes due later this month. Two Board members did propose tweaks to the framework which... 7th March 2013 · 1 min read
