UK Economics Update Help to Buy may help to re-elect The Chancellor is today meeting major lenders and housebuilders to discuss how the second (mortgage guarantee) element of the Government’s Help to Buy programme will work. While the policy has been... 23rd July 2013 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update G20 head for Moscow to talk about tapering The main talking point at this weekend’s gathering of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors is sure to be the Fed’s plan to taper QE3. But despite the volatility which has hit their markets... 17th July 2013 · 1 min read
US Economics Update Small businesses faring better The recent improvement in the sentiment among small businesses is an encouraging sign that the overall economy is becoming fundamentally stronger, although changes to taxes and regulations will... 11th July 2013 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update What to expect from transatlantic trade talks Negotiations between the US and EU on a transatlantic trade and investment agreement begin today. In the long run, an agreement could provide a significant boost to world trade and economic activity... 8th July 2013 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Weekly A look ahead to the Upper House elections The precise results of the upcoming Upper House elections may matter less than commonly thought. While the governing LDP/New Komeito coalition will probably regain a majority of the seats, it is... 8th July 2013 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Colombian industry still has a competitiveness problem The recent depreciation of the peso does not appear to have fully reversed the loss of competitiveness suffered by Colombian industry during the past decade. As a result, while the worst of the... 4th July 2013 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update The economic implications of Egypt's second revolution It goes without saying that there’s a vast amount of uncertainty about how events will develop in Egypt. But the economy looks more fragile now than at any time since the first Arab Spring revolution... 4th July 2013 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Reflecting on President Morsi's first year President Morsi’s first year in office hasn’t been easy to say the least. Unemployment is up, the pound has fallen and the authorities are no closer to securing an IMF agreement. These promise to make... 28th June 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone EC Survey (Jun.) The EC consumer and business survey for June made pretty encouraging reading, but it remains too soon to conclude that the euro-zone is on the cusp of an economic recovery. 27th June 2013 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Government spending isn't the solution to Brazil's problems The response of Brazil’s government to recent unrest suggests a willingness to engage with protestors’ concerns, but also reveals a fundamental misdiagnosis of the underlying issues. The problem lies... 26th June 2013 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update Small firms shrug off market volatility The improvement in small business confidence in June shows that “Abenomics” is continuing to deliver real benefits despite the volatility in the financial markets. However, the detail of the Shoko... 25th June 2013 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Reckless policymaking hints at appetite for reform There are some positives to be drawn from China’s cash crunch. The episode is arguably the strongest sign yet that the leadership is willing to suffer short-term economic pain if necessary to achieve... 24th June 2013 · 4 mins read
Europe Economics Update Is another Greek election in the offing? While the withdrawal of the smallest party from the Greek coalition is certainly an unwelcome development, for now at least, the Government should be able to limp on. But if the Troika forces it to... 24th June 2013 · 1 min read
China Economics Update The view from the ground - Q2 2013 Businesses remain relatively confident about the economy overall but, when it comes to their own situation, they have recently turned much more downbeat. Meanwhile, Chinese households are as reluctant... 21st June 2013 · 1 min read
