Asia Economics Weekly Malaysia's election - what it means for the economy Malaysia’s government dissolved parliament on Wednesday, leaving the election commission a 60-day window in which to call an election. This Weekly explains why, although an opposition victory is... 8th April 2013 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Kenyan markets rally but post-election challenges remain Kenyan financial markets have rallied in the past few days following the Supreme Court’s ruling that the presidential election held in March was legitimate. Nevertheless, with growth appearing to have... 3rd April 2013 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update 'Zombie' companies may not be dead yet There is growing talk about the ‘zombification’ of the UK economy, with unviable companies locking up resources and impeding bank lending to new firms. But an economic recovery could well reveal... 3rd April 2013 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus Opportunities and challenges from the "grey pound" The number of people aged 65 and over is set to increase by more than 4.5m by 2030. While this group currently accounts for less than £1 in every £5 of total spending, this share might rise to £1 in... 3rd April 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Can Italy shrug off its political deadlock? The recent news from Italy suggests that it could still be some time before a new government is in place. While there is little sign, for now at least, that this has damaged business and consumer... 2nd April 2013 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Economics Update BRICS summit more about politics than economics At their summit in South Africa today and tomorrow, leaders of the BRICS are expected to announce progress towards setting up a development bank and to outline a plan to pool some of their foreign... 26th March 2013 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update Small business survey raises some warning flags The headlines from the latest small business survey are positive but the detail includes some potentially worrying signs that the economic recovery may already be running out of steam. 26th March 2013 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack Pick-up in spending will be difficult to sustain While consumer spending has shown some signs of life in the first part of this year, the momentum will be difficult to sustain. Although some of the measures announced by the Chancellor in the Budget... 22nd March 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response German Ifo Survey (Mar.) March’s fall in the German Ifo business climate indicator is another sign that the recovery in the euro-zone seen over the past six months or so might already be running out of steam. 22nd March 2013 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Budget measures amount to small beer for consumers While yesterday’s Budget resulted in a net giveaway to consumers, it did little to reduce the blow to household incomes which will be inflicted by further waves of austerity in the coming years. 21st March 2013 · 1 min read
Canada Data Response Retail Sales (Jan.) The flat growth in January's retail sales volumes suggests that the slowdown in consumption growth seen at the end of last quarter appears to have continued into the first quarter. Accordingly, there... 21st March 2013 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Retail Sales & Public Finances (Feb.) February’s retail sales figures provided some positive news after the gloom of yesterday’s Budget. Meanwhile, the latest public finance figures gave some support to the OBR’s judgement that public... 21st March 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update What next for Cyprus? The Cypriot Parliament’s overwhelming rejection of the proposed levy on bank deposits adds to the uncertainty surrounding the future of Cyprus and increases the risk of the country eventually exiting... 20th March 2013 · 1 min read
China Economics Update The view from the ground – Q1 2013 Confidence is rising, but business leaders in China are less upbeat about conditions for their own firms than they are about the wider economy. This suggests that sentiment may be running ahead of... 19th March 2013 · 1 min read
China Economics Update First thoughts on Premier Li Keqiang Premier Li Keqiang has taken office with pledges to tackle inequality, boost urbanisation and deal with vested interests. These are all major economic concerns. But longstanding China watchers may... 18th March 2013 · 1 min read
China Economics Update New leadership edging forward with reform Economic reform appears to be getting off to a slow start under the new leadership but moves to reduce government oversight of investment and other business operations suggest that it is at least... 14th March 2013 · 1 min read
