Asia Economics Update What to make of Korea’s rate cut and restructuring plans The Bank of Korea (BoK) unexpectedly lowered its policy rate to a new record low of 1.25% today, marking its first cut since last June. The decision came a day after plans were unveiled for the... 9th June 2016 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update How might the MPC loosen policy after a Brexit? It is by no means guaranteed that the MPC would loosen policy after a Brexit vote. But if it did want to give the economy some extra stimulus, an interest rate cut would not be its only option. 8th June 2016 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Should European markets be more worried about Brexit? Iceland’s second consecutive quarterly fall in GDP was down to the volatility of trade. The big picture is that domestic demand growth picked up and the outlook is positive. 7th June 2016 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update First thoughts on Saudi Arabia’s “National Transformation Plan” Saudi Arabia’s “National Transformation Plan” represents a credible effort by the authorities to flesh out some of their policies as they look to overhaul the Kingdom’s economy over the coming years... 7th June 2016 · 1 min read
UK Data Response BRC Retail Sales Monitor (May) May’s BRC retail sales data were fairly encouraging, following two months of disappointing readings. Overall, there’s relatively little sign that consumer spending is suffering much from uncertainty... 7th June 2016 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Peru’s presidential election: three key risks The second (and final) round of Peru’s presidential election, set to take place on Sunday, won’t bring a major shift away from the current government’s fairly market-friendly economic policies... 3rd June 2016 · 1 min read
Global Economics Chart Pack All eyes on the Fed and the UK referendum The weak US non-farm payrolls data for May and uncertainty ahead of the UK referendum on EU membership, scheduled for 23rd June, may push back the next Fed rate hike until July at the earliest, if not... 3rd June 2016 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack Referendum uncertainty putting the brakes on growth Recent data have confirmed that the recovery slowed at the start of 2016 and that growth remained precariously unbalanced. Meanwhile, the Markit/CIPS surveys have brought further evidence that... 3rd June 2016 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Brexit Watch: PMIs show uncertainty biting Data released this week confirmed that Brexit uncertainty is negatively affecting businesses – but consumers continue to look considerably less concerned. Although markets have responded to the recent... 3rd June 2016 · 1 min read
UK Economics Weekly Housing market to cool regardless of Brexit vote While concerns about the overvaluation of UK housing are nothing new, recent signs that the market is cooling has led some to proclaim that we are on the cusp of a house price crash. Although we don’t... 3rd June 2016 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Retail Sales (Apr.) & Final PMIs (May.) April’s euro-zone retail sales data suggest that strong consumer spending growth in Q1 is unlikely to be repeated in Q2, and thus that GDP growth will slow. Indeed, May’s final Composite PMI also... 3rd June 2016 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Weekly More workers but less work While the number of people in paid employment in Japan is now the highest since 2008, hours worked have fallen to fresh lows as full-time workers have been replaced by part-time workers. With little... 3rd June 2016 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Migrant workers reveal strains across economy The latest survey on migrant workers, who are often the first to suffer when economic and labour market conditions deteriorate, confirms evidence elsewhere of weakness in key parts of the economy. And... 3rd June 2016 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Key events to watch in the run-up to the EU referendum With the EU referendum now just three weeks away, we have highlighted below some of the key events which could potentially sway voters and move markets in the build-up to the vote. 2nd June 2016 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update How would the ECB respond to a Brexit? A Brexit and its after-effects could prompt the European Central Bank (ECB) to undertake further unconventional policy action, including measures to support the euro-zone’s financial sector, FX... 1st June 2016 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Focus Turkey: defying gravity…for now After a period of relative calm, growing political tensions have once again led to a deterioration in sentiment towards Turkey. As it happens, we think the country’s growth prospects over the next 6-9... 1st June 2016 · 1 min read
