Asia Chart Pack Thailand ends the year in crisis Thailand heads into 2014 in political crisis. Anti-government protests that began in November have pushed the prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, into dissolving parliament and calling new elections... 24th December 2013 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Nat. Acc., Bal. of Pay. (Q3) & Public Finances (Nov.) While the national accounts showed that the economic recovery has been stronger than previously thought this year, they also provided a few reasons to doubt that it will be able to maintain its recent... 20th December 2013 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Fiscal austerity to continue but will be less severe next year Austerity will be a drag on growth in advanced economies next year, but the squeeze should be smaller than this year. Moreover, the risks of further fiscal tightening have fallen since US politicians... 18th December 2013 · 1 min read
China Chart Pack Local government debt key challenge for 2014 China's government has sounded a sanguine note about GDP growth at the close of its Economic Work Conference. Monetary policy will remain "prudent" and fiscal policy "proactive" in 2014. In practice... 13th December 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Focus How much more help will Greece need? The situation in Greece has improved dramatically over the past year. But while the second bail-out has ensured that the public finances are in a better position than they were, Greece’s public debt... 12th December 2013 · 1 min read
US Economics Update Budget deal would deliver much-needed fiscal stability The modest bipartisan budget deal announced late yesterday, which would boost Federal spending by roughly $63bn over the next two years while at the same time reducing deficits by a cumulative $23bn... 11th December 2013 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Weekly Near-term policy catalysts few and far between The details of the fiscal stimulus package unveiled on Thursday were disappointing. The corporate tax surcharge will be phased out a year earlier than scheduled, but there was no mention of a cut in... 9th December 2013 · 1 min read
Global Economics Chart Pack Economic activity picks up further Judging by the latest business surveys, activity in advanced economies has strengthened further. The global manufacturing PMI is now consistent on past form with world GDP growth of as much as 4%... 6th December 2013 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Autumn Statement provides modest gain to consumers With sizeable improvements in the economic and fiscal forecasts, December’s Autumn Statement gave the Chancellor leeway to announce measures which will provide some modest support to consumers’... 6th December 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Malaysia to raise rates sooner than expected In its latest move to rein in subsidy spending, the Malaysian government this week announced that it will hike electricity tariffs in 2014. Further subsidy cuts, particularly on the fuel front, are... 6th December 2013 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Ukraine: currency crisis seems a bigger threat than debt default The recent escalation of political protests in Kiev has put Ukraine's fragile external position back in the spotlight. A full-blown balance of payments crisis remains a real risk. The one crumb of... 5th December 2013 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus Autumn Statement 2013: Mr Osborne sticks to the path This is a responsible package which is broadly fiscally neutral. The key message is that the UK’s fiscal consolidation still has a long way to go. 5th December 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update A second bail-out still looms for Portugal Portugal is unlikely to follow in Ireland’s footsteps and achieve a “clean exit” from its existing rescue package. We think that the most likely scenario is that Portugal seeks a second full-blown... 28th November 2013 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus Autumn Statement 2013 Preview With the economic recovery yet to have much impact on the Government's popularity, Chancellor George Osborne may be tempted to use the proceeds of stronger growth to fund a small giveaway in the... 28th November 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Fiscal Monitor (Nov.) While Greece and Ireland remain ahead of their fiscal consolidation targets, Italy appears set to record a larger than planned deficit this year. 27th November 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Vulnerable economies failing to put their fiscal houses in order Government finances are not a serious concern in most Asian countries. However, some of the governments that most need to rein in their deficits to help their economies withstand future bouts of... 27th November 2013 · 1 min read
