Global Economics Focus Will quantitative easing work? Quantitative easing (QE) is a potentially very powerful tool that could pull economies out of recession and deflation. However, to work fully it may have to be combined with additional measures to... 17th December 2008 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Can UK interest rates fall to zero? The reduction in the US Fed funds target rate to between zero and 0.25% has raised the question of whether interest rates in other economies, including the UK, can fall as far. The answer would seem... 17th December 2008 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Rates set to fall despite currency risks (Dec 08) A sharp deterioration in the growth outlook, coupled with further falls in oil and food prices, has caused policymakers in the region to grow more concerned about inflation undershooting, rather than... 12th December 2008 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Korean interest rates on course for 1%. The Bank of Korea’s decision to cut its key official rate by a full percentage point to 3.0% today has already taken it to a historic low. But with incoming data pointing to an outright recession next... 11th December 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update SNB already considering zero interest rates After today’s expected 50bp interest rate cut, the bottom end of the Swiss National Bank’s target range for three-month interest rates has already hit zero. For now, the Bank will target a rate of... 11th December 2008 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Policy easing in India won’t save the day The latest fiscal and monetary policy initiatives unveiled this weekend in India are unlikely to boost its flagging economy. With exports plummeting, industry facing a severe credit crunch and... 8th December 2008 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Policy easing in India won't prevent sharp slowdown With the aftershocks from the Mumbai terror attacks adding to the downside risks to growth, further rate cuts and a fiscal stimulus look imminent in India. But these measures are unlikely to ward off... 5th December 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update ECB steps up the pace The ECB’s 75bp interest rate cut to 2.5% is an encouraging sign that the Bank recognises the severity of the economic downturn after earlier hints that a more modest reduction was likely. Although... 4th December 2008 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Interest rates heading to zero? Today’s further 1% fall in UK interest rates to match their lowest ever levels underlines the seriousness of the situation facing the economy. But there is more to do and there is now a very real... 4th December 2008 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Interest rates heading to zero? Today’s further 1% fall in UK interest rates to match their lowest ever levels underlines the seriousness of the situation facing the economy. But there is more to do and there is now a very real... 4th December 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Swedish interest rates plunge by 1.75% The decision by the Swedish Riksbank to slash interest rates by 175 basis points highlights the degree to which the economic outlook has deteriorated. With the downturn set to worsen next year... 4th December 2008 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Swedish interest rates plunge by 1.75% The decision by the Swedish Riksbank to slash interest rates by 175 basis points highlights the degree to which the economic outlook has deteriorated. With the downturn set to worsen next year... 4th December 2008 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Thailand slipping into recession, rates to fall to 1% Today’s decision by the Bank of Thailand to cut official rates by a larger-than-expected 100bp to 2.75% is likely to be the first of a series of moves by the central bank to counter the possibility of... 3rd December 2008 · 1 min read
US Economics Weekly Fed expands quantitative easing with new liquidity programs 1st December 2008 · 1 min read
