Global Markets Update Chinese whispers alone won't save the euro Despite yet another round of speculation suggesting that China is about to ride to the rescue of the euro-zone, Europe will still have to solve its own problems. Meaningful Chinese support would... 29th October 2011 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone EC Survey (Oct.) October’s fall in the EC measure of business and consumer sentiment adds to the evidence that the recovery is well and truly over and that the region is suffering from far more than a fiscal crisis. 28th October 2011 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Tunisia's election results should not worry investors The fact that the moderate Islamic party, Al-Nahda, is on track to become the strongest political force in Tunisia should not be a concern for Western governments or international investors. From the... 26th October 2011 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response SME Business Confidence (Oct.) Confidence amongst Japan’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) dipped slightly in October. Sentiment had recovered rapidly from March’s disaster and although it is expected to rebound in... 26th October 2011 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update Households' and firms' borrowing remains depressed A lack of credit is not a constraint on the Japanese economy, a lack of demand is. According to the latest Senior Loan Officer Survey, loan demand from Japanese households and firms has not recovered... 25th October 2011 · 1 min read
Global Economics Focus Does a sovereign debt crisis always cause a financial crisis? While there are no direct historical parallels with the current situation in Europe, a review of past experience suggests policymakers may need to resolve the euro-zone’s sovereign debt crisis... 25th October 2011 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Fernández victory sets Argentina up for a hard landing Argentina’s incumbent president, Cristina Fernández, eased to victory in yesterday’s Presidential Election as was widely expected. We do not foresee any material changes to the government’s policy... 25th October 2011 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update After Gaddafi, what next for the ‘Arab Spring’? The fact that there was no market reaction to the death of Libya’s former leader, Muammar Gaddafi, is no surprise. That said, today’s events could reduce political risks in the Middle East and North... 21st October 2011 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Argentina set to re-elect Cristina, but what next? Opinion polls suggest that Cristina Fernández will easily secure a second term in this weekend’s Presidential Election. But what might the next few years hold for Argentina’s economy? 21st October 2011 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Regional Monitor (Sep.) The latest regional data suggest that the northern regions of the UK have recently managed to grow at a similar, albeit sluggish, pace to those in the South. However, conditions in the northern labour... 13th October 2011 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Polish elections reassuring but slowdown ahead Victory for the governing Civic Platform Party in yesterday’s parliamentary elections in Poland will be welcomed as a sign of business as usual by the markets. But with external headwinds building and... 11th October 2011 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Greek budget does not eliminate near-term default risks New fiscal measures announced by the Greek Government may have reduced the risks of an imminent disorderly default. But policymakers still face a battle to agree a deal to cover Greece’s financing... 5th October 2011 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Russia's balance sheet revisited In light of recent events, this Update provides a brief snapshot of the health of Russia’s public finances. The short point is that while public debt is very low, the budget position is increasingly... 30th September 2011 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Increasing female participation in Saudi could boost growth Saudi Arabia’s move to allow women to vote (and run) in municipal elections, and to be appointed to the Shoura Council, is an important and positive political move. But the economic benefits are... 27th September 2011 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update The return of President Putin This weekend’s news that current President Medvedev will step aside to allow Vladimir Putin to run for the presidency at next year’s elections has raised hopes that lower political uncertainty will... 27th September 2011 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Focus Lessons from the Fall of the Wall The vast bulk of growth in Emerging Europe since the fall of communism can be explained by the better allocation of resources that has resulted from the transition from central planning to a market... 22nd September 2011 · 1 min read
