Asia Economics Update New Zealand’s cash rate to stay low in 2013 The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) kept its policy rate at 2.5% today, as was widely anticipated. Most analysts expect policy to be tightened significantly over the next two years. In contrast, we... 26th January 2012 · 1 min read
US Economics Update Fed's anticipates that rates are on hold until late 2014 The publication today of the first set of interest rate projections by the FOMC heralded a historic change in the way that the Fed conducts monetary policy, but had little practical impact on market... 25th January 2012 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Provisional GDP (Q4) & MPC Minutes (Jan.) Q4’s UK GDP figures confirmed fears that the economy is already contracting again. We won’t know for sure whether the economy is actually back in recession until we get Q1’s figures. But our bet is... 25th January 2012 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Bank of Thailand likely to cut further The Bank of Thailand (BoT) lowered its policy rate by 25bp to 3.0% today, as expected. Thailand’s economy has been hit hard by floods and weak global demand is likely to limit the rebound in... 25th January 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Hungary: rates on hold, but problems ahead The National Bank of Hungary (NBH) kept interest rates on hold today on the back of easing strains in the financial markets. This has come against the backdrop of talks with the IMF and EU apparently... 24th January 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Talk of Turkish easing looks premature Despite the recent rally in the lira and signs that Turkey’s current account deficit is starting to narrow, the reduction in effective interest rates seen over the past few weeks is likely to prove... 24th January 2012 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Reserve Bank of India cautious on rate cuts The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cut its cash reserve requirement today but left the repo rate on hold. The hawkish tone of the policy statement suggests that, although rate cuts are surely coming... 24th January 2012 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Osborne’s hidden windfall Quantitative easing (QE) is not only helping to reduce gilt yields for the Government, but it is also lowering the amount that the Government is paying out in debt interest and therefore helping to... 24th January 2012 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Chart Pack Gulf markets hit by Iran tensions The escalation of tensions with Iran has meant that financial markets in the Gulf have underperformed those in the rest of the emerging world so far this year. While the MSCI emerging market equity... 23rd January 2012 · 1 min read
Asia Chart Pack Asia's equities outperform in early 2012 Emerging Asia’s equities have risen by more than the global average so far this year, but we do not expect the outperformance to last. Stock markets in Asia typically underperform developed markets... 23rd January 2012 · 1 min read
Japan Chart Pack Activity weak and outlook uncertain Economic conditions took a turn for the worse in November, as output, spending and exports all declined. Sentiment indicators for December were mixed with business confidence mostly stable, but... 23rd January 2012 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Inflation has further to fall Inflation rose sharply in 2011 as a whole relative to 2010 across the region. However, we expect below-trend growth and lower commodity prices to pull down inflation significantly this year. With... 23rd January 2012 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Will China pull the rug from under Latin America? This is the first edition of our new monthly publication Latin America Watch. This will analyse major talking points in the region and preview key data and events. In this issue we look at the impact... 19th January 2012 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update More policy loosening to come in the Philippines The Philippines’ central bank (BSP) cut its overnight rate by 25bp to 4.25% today, as expected. Exports have slumped and are unlikely to pick up much this year, while inflation is set to fall towards... 19th January 2012 · 1 min read
Bank of Japan Watch GDP & inflation forecasts downgrade The January meeting of the Bank of Japan’s Policy Board will yield updated forecasts for GDP and inflation but probably little else. We don’t expect any changes in the Board’s monetary policy stance... 19th January 2012 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Few surprises as BCB signals further easing to come There were few surprises from Brazilian policymakers last night as they cut interest rates by 50bps to 10.50% and signalled further easing to come. Despite tentative signs that the economy has picked... 19th January 2012 · 1 min read
