UK Economics Weekly No gold medal for the economy The Olympic mood was abruptly punctured by Mervyn King as he presented the Bank of England’s Inflation Report last week. Although the lower near-term profile for inflation was good news, this was... 13th August 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Russian bank turns hawkish despite slowdown in growth The slowdown in Russian GDP growth in Q2, though modest, is likely to be a sign of things to come. Accordingly, speculation that the Central Bank may soon hike interest rates seems premature. 10th August 2012 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Data Response Egypt Consumer Prices (Jul.) Egyptian inflation fell to a six-year low in July as price pressures in virtually all the components of the consumer price basket eased. 9th August 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Can the bond rally last? Emerging European bonds have rallied over the past couple of months. In the case of Hungary and Turkey we are doubtful that it can be sustained, but in the Czech Republic and Poland, it may have... 9th August 2012 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Bank of Korea not done cutting rates The Bank of Korea (BoK) held its policy rate at 3.0% today. Nonetheless, we believe that global growth will continue to disappoint and that more policy stimulus will be needed soon to support Korea’s... 9th August 2012 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Economic rebound remains elusive China’s stimulus efforts are feeding a pick-up in infrastructure investment but recovery has not so far spread to the rest of the economy. 9th August 2012 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update The economy is not “picking up moderately” The Bank of Japan left monetary policy unchanged at its August meeting, as was widely expected. However, it continues to state that the economy is “picking up moderately” despite the growing body of... 9th August 2012 · 1 min read
Global Economics Focus What more can central banks do? Many commentators argue that central banks in advanced economies have all but run out of ammunition. We disagree. Admittedly, the room for further conventional policy stimulus is fairly limited, but... 8th August 2012 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Bank of England Inflation Report (Aug.) The Bank of England’s latest Inflation Report contained substantial downward revisions to the growth and inflation forecasts, supporting our view that more policy stimulus is likely once the current... 8th August 2012 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Australia pauses, but one more rate cut is on the way The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) held its policy rate at 3.5% today. It probably won't be long until the RBA cuts again, but it is nearing the end of its loosening cycle. 7th August 2012 · 1 min read
US Economics Weekly Fed will do more, but QE3 is not the best option We now think that the Fed will provide more policy stimulus when the FOMC next meets in September. The most likely scenario is a third round of asset purchases (QE3), this time focusing on mortgage... 3rd August 2012 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Weekly Economic growth continues to ease The anaemic rate of Canadian economic growth is becoming a major concern, particularly when the chances are that growth will only slow further in the second half of this year. Before the end of this... 3rd August 2012 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Weekly Trouble in Japan's labour market The recent fall in Japan’s unemployment rate looks less encouraging when we consider that the level of employment has been little changed for three years. Much of the decline in unemployment is due to... 3rd August 2012 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly No quick fix to India and Pakistan’s power problems India attracted international headlines for all the wrong reasons (again) following massive power cuts that left half of its population without electricity for two days. Power cuts are alsoa big issue... 3rd August 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update ECB fails to do “whatever it takes” President Draghi’s comments at today’s ECB press conference were a blow to hopes that the Bank might quickly make huge bond purchases to address the euro-zone’s escalating debt crisis. While the Bank... 2nd August 2012 · 1 min read
Bank of Japan Watch Pressure to stem yen strength increasing The main concern for the Bank of Japan’s Policy Board at its August meeting, concluding next Thursday (9th), is likely to remain the situation in Europe. The slowdown overseas threatens to further... 2nd August 2012 · 1 min read
