UK Data Response Labour Market (Mar.) The latest labour market figures highlighted that wage growth remains weak, despite the continued decline in labour market slack. 17th May 2017 · 1 min read
Japan Chart Pack The return of Goldilocks Japan’s economy probably recorded the fifth straight quarter of growth in Q1, the longest streak since 2005. The unemployment rate is at multi-year lows and corporate profit margins at record highs... 15th May 2017 · 1 min read
US Economics Weekly Labour market very close to full health Almost every indicator suggests that US labour market conditions are the tightest they have been since the financial crisis, possibly even the tightest in decades. Nearly every sector is now operating... 12th May 2017 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Chart Pack Riksbank loosens while Norges Bank stands pat In the past month, central bank meetings have highlighted contrasts in the responses of policymakers towards inflation. In Sweden, inflation has been on an upward trend recently and is close to the... 12th May 2017 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Weekly Government could do more to lift wage growth The government has raised minimum wages, mainly to the benefit of part-time workers, and improved tax incentives to encourage firms to lift salaries. But much more is needed to boost wage growth to... 12th May 2017 · 1 min read
Australia & New Zealand Economics Weekly Infrastructure: Don’t believe the hype Australian Treasurer Scott Morrison made a big song and dance about new infrastructure spending in the Federal Budget. But while he shouldn’t be considered a public enemy as some new infrastructure... 12th May 2017 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Economy Watchers Survey (Apr.) Despite an improvement in April, today’s Economy Watchers Survey remains consistent with falling manufacturing activity. It also points to a slowdown in job growth, though the survey has not been a... 11th May 2017 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Can Macron succeed where others have failed? New French President Emmanuel Macron has a better chance than his predecessors of overhauling France’s sclerotic labour market and bloated public sector. But he may still have to dilute some of his... 10th May 2017 · 1 min read
US Economics Update NFIB and JOLT surveys suggest full employment is close Recent surveys show that the strength of business sentiment is fuelling a recovery in capital investment while ensuring that firms’ demand for labour is as strong as ever. With the pool of unemployed... 9th May 2017 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Labour Cash Earnings (Mar.) The first fall in labour cash earnings since last May underlines the challenges the Bank of Japan is facing in lifting inflation to 2%. With wages growing no faster than labour productivity, much... 9th May 2017 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Macron victory provides relief but challenges remain Yesterday’s election of centrist liberal Emmanuel Macron as the next French President bodes well for the revitalisation of France’s lacklustre economy and the European project more generally. But he... 8th May 2017 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Consumer Confidence (Apr.) We are not too worried about the drop in consumer confidence in April as the index remains near multi-year highs. What’s more, the survey remains consistent with a rebound in durable goods consumption... 8th May 2017 · 1 min read
Canada Data Response Labour Force Survey (Apr.) The meagre 3,200 increase in employment in April, which included a big decline in full-time jobs, was a disappointment and will reinforce the Bank of Canada’s view that policy needs to remain highly... 5th May 2017 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Will Macron galvanise the French economy? Centrist liberal Emmanuel Macron looks set to comfortably defeat populist eurosceptic Marine Le Pen in Sunday’s final round of France’s presidential election and might even manage to secure a... 5th May 2017 · 1 min read
Australia & New Zealand Economics Weekly An infrastructure Budget would be good for the economy We’re not too keen on the plans of the Australian Treasurer to distinguish “good” debt from “bad” debt in the Federal Budget on Tuesday, but we do like the sound of a budget that is expected to... 5th May 2017 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Macron’s labour reforms now look more achievable Centrist presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed his proposals to overhaul the French labour market in last night’s head-to-head television debate with his rival Marine Le Pen. While his... 4th May 2017 · 1 min read
