Asia Economics Update Korean rates will fall soon despite hawkish statement Today’s decision by the Bank of Korea (BoK) to keep interest rates at 5.25% (after last month’s 25 basis points hike) was accompanied by a relatively hawkish policy statement. But we still expect the... 11th September 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update ECB still fretting over inflation outlook The European Central Bank’s hawkish tone at today’s press conference confirmed that interest rate cuts are not yet on the agenda. But we still expect slowing activity and falling energy inflation to... 4th September 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Riksbank signals that interest rates have peaked The decision by the Riksbank to raise interest rates from 4.50% to 4.75% clearly shows that it remains concerned about the emergence of ”second-round inflation” effects. But while the Bank did signal... 4th September 2008 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update MPC to start cutting soon Lingering inflation concerns kept the Monetary Policy Committee’s finger off the interest rate trigger again today. But it is only a matter of time before it is forced to respond to the rapidly... 4th September 2008 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update MPC to start cutting soon Lingering inflation concerns kept the Monetary Policy Committee’s finger off the interest rate trigger again today. But it is only a matter of time before it is forced to respond to the rapidly... 4th September 2008 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Riksbank signals that interest rates have peaked The decision by the Riksbank to raise interest rates from 4.50% to 4.75% clearly shows that it remains concerned about the emergence of ”second-round inflation” effects. But while the Bank did signal... 4th September 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update ECB unlikely to rip up the lending rulebook Thursday’s ECB press conference provides the Bank with a chance to provide greater details about any proposed changes to its collateral requirements for lending in its open market operations. While we... 3rd September 2008 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Sterling’s tumble won’t stop interest rates falling The pound’s recent sharp fall is good news for the future prospects of the UK’s exporters. But it won’t prevent the Monetary Policy Committee from having to cut interest rates aggressively in response... 2nd September 2008 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Further Australian rate cuts to be slow in coming Today’s 25bp rate cut to 7.0% confirms the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA’s) shift in focus from inflation towards growth concerns. The RBA had previously been one of the most hawkish central banks... 2nd September 2008 · 1 min read
ECB Watch Staff forecasts to highlight weaker growth prospects Mounting evidence of a sharp slowdown in eurozone economic activity has caused the chances of another interest rate hike to evaporate. But the ECB is still deeply concerned about upside risks to... 28th August 2008 · 1 min read
BoE Watch Next rate cut edges closer The interest rate debate remains finely balanced, with lingering upside risks to inflation likely to keep interest rates on hold in September. However, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) appears to... 28th August 2008 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Thai rates reach their peak With today’s rate hike, we think that the Bank of Thailand has probably done enough to keep inflation in check. Rates are likely to be left on hold into 2009, but attention will gradually turn to... 27th August 2008 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update South-East Asian interest rates close to a peak The recent fall in the prices of oil and other commodities strengthens our view that the present tightening cycle in South-East Asia will be a short one. We expect regional interest rates to peak in... 19th August 2008 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Tightening cycle drawing to a close (Aug 08) Interest rates are nearing their peaks across Emerging Europe. Indeed, policymakers in the Czech Republic actually cut interest rates by 25bps earlier this month and seem intent on reducing borrowing... 19th August 2008 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update SNB’s optimism likely to prove misplaced Upbeat comments from Swiss National Bank Chairman Jean-Pierre Roth in this morning’s press are atodds with our own view. While it is true that some aspects of the Swiss economy appear robust fornow... 19th August 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update ECB on hold for some months yet Comments from the European Central Bank have retained a relatively hawkish tone, suggesting that it will be some time before the Bank is prepared to bolster the flagging economy with interest rate... 7th August 2008 · 1 min read
