Europe Economics Update Lower borrowing rates won't kick-start the economy The recent falls in borrowing rates for euro-zone households and firms suggest that last year’s interest rate reductions by the ECB are already filtering through to the wider economy. While this is... 9th February 2009 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update ECB pauses, but rates still heading towards zero Although the ECB left interest rates on hold at 2% as expected this month, it hinted clearly that rates would fall by a further 50bp next month. What’s more, President Trichet’s dovish tone supported... 5th February 2009 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Still heading for zero Today’s cut in interest rates to just 1% confirmed that, for now at least, the Monetary Policy Committee remains focused on getting the cost of money as low as possible. We still expect rates to drop... 5th February 2009 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Still heading for zero Today’s cut in interest rates to just 1% confirmed that, for now at least, the Monetary Policy Committee remains focused on getting the cost of money as low as possible. We still expect rates to drop... 5th February 2009 · 1 min read
ECB Watch ECB worryingly cautious President Trichet’s continued insistence that the next “important” monetary policy meeting will not be until March has more or less ruled out an interest rate cut this month. We still think that weak... 29th January 2009 · 1 min read
BoE Watch Framework for quantitative easing in place The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has slowed the pace of monetary loosening and stressed that a large policy stimulus is in train. But the economic outlook has deteriorated further. And the MPC may... 29th January 2009 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Reserve Bank of India not finished cutting rates The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) decision to keep the key policy rate unchanged has reinforced market expectations that rates will remain on hold in the next few month. But with the economy in the... 27th January 2009 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Bank of Japan has a lot more work to do The Bank of Japan’s modest programme of asset purchases is unlikely to be the last word, especially given the deterioration in economic and financial conditions acknowledged today in its own forecasts... 22nd January 2009 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Rate cuts still positive for consumer spending The steep cuts in the rates banks pay on households’ savings have led some to conclude that further interest rate cuts are not just of little use, but are actually counterproductive. Interest rate... 22nd January 2009 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update Bank of Japan has a lot more work to do The Bank of Japan’s modest programme of asset purchases is unlikely to be the last word, especially given the deterioration in economic and financial conditions acknowledged today in its own forecasts... 22nd January 2009 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Bank of Canada cut rates to record low The Bank of Canada cut its key policy rate by 50 basis points today, to a record low of only 1.0, and left the door open to further reductions in the coming months. The close financial and trade links... 20th January 2009 · 1 min read
US Economics Weekly Are the Fed’s actions finally beginning to pay off? 19th January 2009 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus What more can policymakers do? Should UK interest rates fall to zero, it is likely that UK policymakers will follow in the footsteps of the US Federal Reserve and adopt a formal policy of quantitative easing (QE). While QE is a... 16th January 2009 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update ECB drags its heels While the ECB cut interest rates as expected today, it’s warnings that it will not reduce them again at its next meeting confirm that it will continue to drag its heels compared to other central banks... 15th January 2009 · 1 min read
