UK Economics Update Are small retailers gaining at the expense of large ones? Although small retailers suffered much more than large ones during the economy’s post-2008 weakness, more recently, small retailers have started to outperform their larger competitors. But we doubt... 26th November 2013 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Small Business Confidence (Nov.) Small business confidence reached a fresh high in November, but will likely worsen once the consumption tax is raised next April. 26th November 2013 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Argentina: ignoring the lessons from Venezuela? Several high profile changes to Argentina's cabinet have reawakened speculation that the country is on the brink of formalising a multiple exchange rate system. If the experience of Venezuela is... 20th November 2013 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Land reform set to boost rural incomes The Party leadership has given its blessing to land reforms that should shift more income to rural households. Change will happen slowly but the result should be a boost to consumer spending. 20th November 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Thailand’s economy remains fragile, and downside risks are rising GDP data today showed Thailand’s economy returning to growth in the third quarter, but a strong recovery is unlikely to materialise any time soon. High household debt and delays to public investment... 18th November 2013 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Reform package exceeds expectations The underwhelming Communiqué released after the Third Plenum on Tuesday raised big questions about whether the leadership had been able to get backing for a meaningful package of reforms. On the basis... 15th November 2013 · 5 mins read
Latin America Economics Update What will Bachelet 2.0 mean for Chile? This weekend’s Chilean Presidential Election may go down as the most one-sided affair in recent memory, with former president Michelle Bachelet set to sweep to a second term in office. But while the... 13th November 2013 · 1 min read
China Economics Update No “Master Plan” so far from Third Plenum President Xi raised expectations ahead of the Third Plenum with talk of a “Master Plan” for reform. We should learn more in the days ahead but, based on what has been revealed so far, the decisions... 12th November 2013 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Economy Watchers Survey (Oct.) & Current Account (Sep.) The rise in the outlook component of the Economy Watchers Survey to a six month high suggests that economic conditions remained robust at the start of the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, the record current... 11th November 2013 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Ageing population need not hit workforce growth too hard The ONS’ latest population projections suggest that the UK’s population will age even more rapidly than previously expected. But we doubt this will feed into a one-for-one fall in workforce growth and... 8th November 2013 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Manufacturing PMI (Oct.) & Labour Cash Earnings (Sep.) The manufacturing PMI reached a three-year high in October and points to a further rebound in industrial production in coming months. Meanwhile, labour cash earnings edged up in September, but the... 31st October 2013 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Kuwait reform is likely to be a long journey Comments by Kuwait’s ruling Emir ahead of the reopening of the National Assembly suggest that the government has recognised the need for wholesale economic reform. Even so, we think that reform... 30th October 2013 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Unemployment Rate, Retail Sales (Sep.) & Small Business Confidence (Oct.) Today's data show that economic momentum remains strong. Small business confidence and retail sales both reached new multi-year highs, helped by strong employment gains. 29th October 2013 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Czech election uncertainty unlikely to have big economic impact This weekend’s inconclusive Czech legislative election has raised the prospect of a prolonged period of political uncertainty, which many suggest could have a detrimental impact on the economy and the... 28th October 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response German Ifo Survey (Oct 13.) The fall in German Ifo business sentiment in October provided another timely reminder that the euro-zone recovery remains fragile. 25th October 2013 · 1 min read
Canada Data Response Retail Sales (Aug.) The moderate increase in August retail sales volumes, after earlier reports showing unimpressive wholesale and manufacturing figures for that month, suggest that the economy might have struggled to... 22nd October 2013 · 1 min read
