Asia Economics Update First Korean rate hike in 12 months also likely to be last We suspect that today’s 25bp rate hike from the Bank of Korea (BoK) will be a one-off move similar to the European Central Bank’s warning shot last month, rather than the first in a new tightening... 7th August 2008 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Recession risks keep MPC on hold The growing likelihood of a recession, plus the recent falls in oil and commodity prices, kept the MPC’s finger off the interest rate trigger for another month. We continue to expect rates to be... 7th August 2008 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Recession risks keep MPC on hold The growing likelihood of a recession, plus the recent falls in oil and commodity prices, kept the MPC’s finger off the interest rate trigger for another month. We continue to expect rates to be... 7th August 2008 · 1 min read
ECB Watch Slowing activity will eventually prompt rate cuts Ongoing fears over the inflation outlook will leave the ECB in a fairly hawkish mood for now. But recent signs that the economy is stagnating (at best) support our view that interest rates will not... 31st July 2008 · 1 min read
BoE Watch Besley unlikely to muster a majority for a hike Inflationary pressures continue to prevent the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) from cutting interest rates in response to the deteriorating real economy. In fact, if interest rates change this month... 31st July 2008 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Utility hikes may mean that inflation peaks earlier The news that British Gas today became the second utility supplier to raise its prices means that inflation is likely to rise further and faster than we previously expected. But the silver lining is... 30th July 2008 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Ambitious inflation targets suggest more tightening to come By taking tougher than expected action, today’s rate hikes provide welcome reassurance that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is serious about tackling rising prices and will help keep inflation... 29th July 2008 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update When will the MPC be able to sound the all clear on inflation? It might only be a few months before the MPC can conclude that the twin threats of rising wages growth and rising core inflation are not going to materialise. We still think there is a decent chance... 22nd July 2008 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Philippines’ 50bp rate hike unlikely to be replicated elsewhere The decision by the Philippines’ central bank to raise the benchmark interest rate by a larger-thanexpected 50bp to 5.75% should not be taken as a signal that other Asian central banks are about to... 17th July 2008 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Interest rate expectations have much further to fall The markets have once again started to anticipate cuts in UK interest rates. But if our expectations of the severity of the downturn in the economy prove even half right, rate expectations have a lot... 16th July 2008 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Thai rate hike the first of a brief tightening cycle Thailand’s decision to raise interest rates today (by 25bps to 3.5%) was the first in more than two years. However, growing downside risks to growth, despite the recently announced fiscal stimulus... 16th July 2008 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Further hikes to come in Turkey (Jul 08) All the focus over the coming months will be on Turkey, where we expect policymakers to follow up a likely rate hike this week with further monetary tightening. Elsewhere in the region, while... 15th July 2008 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Bank of Korea turns to forex intervention to fight inflation The Bank of Korea (BoK) held official rates at 5.00% today, as widely expected. The accompanying statement highlighted the growing dilemma facing the BoK. But successful interventions to prop up the... 10th July 2008 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update MPC can only watch as recession looms The MPC’s inaction today in the face of a torrent of dreadful news on the economy underlines the extent to which its hands are tied by the current strength of inflation pressures. There is little it... 10th July 2008 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update MPC can only watch as recession looms The MPC’s inaction today in the face of a torrent of dreadful news on the economy underlines the extent to which its hands are tied by the current strength of inflation pressures. There is little it... 10th July 2008 · 1 min read
BoE Watch MPC unable to prevent recession An interest rate cut is desperately needed to support the rapidly deteriorating economy. But inflationary pressures continue to tie the Monetary Policy Committee’s hands. The chances of an interest... 3rd July 2008 · 1 min read
