Asia Economics Update Tankan to show Japanese economy still relatively healthy We believe that the Bank of Japan’s quarterly “Tankan” survey for September, due next Wednesday, will show that business conditions have held up rather better than the consensus expects. Indeed, the... 24th September 2008 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update Tankan to show Japanese economy still relatively healthy We believe that the Bank of Japan’s quarterly “Tankan” survey for September, due next Wednesday, will show that business conditions have held up rather better than the consensus expects. Indeed, the... 24th September 2008 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update US GSE rescue provides no pointers for the UK The US government’s initially well-received intervention to support the Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs), Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, has prompted debate over the case for similar sort of... 10th September 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update German political re-shuffle reduces chance of tax cuts The latest changes to the leadership of Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) probably bode well for long-term structural reform of the economy. But they also further reduce the chance of near-term... 8th September 2008 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update Tankan shows Japan’s economy slowing, not collapsing The Bank of Japan’s Tankan survey of business conditions was disappointing but not disastrous. The detail contained some reassuring news with regard to financial conditions and the labour market. 1st September 2008 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus Drop in bank lending to prompt economy to contract in 2009 With banks’ balance sheets under pressure, UK bank lending is set to rise more slowly, if not fall outright. This will have significant adverse effects on the UK economy, which may already be in... 25th August 2008 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Re-emergence of pension fund deficits threatens investment Recent financial market developments have pushed corporate pension funds back into deficit, further constraining the resources available for firms to invest. 30th July 2008 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Companies running out of cash The further sharp contraction in the amount of cash held on deposit by companies in June is yet another sign that the economic downturn is taking its toll on the corporate sector, suggesting that it... 29th July 2008 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Cautious optimism after Indian coalition wins “trust” vote Today’s narrow confidence vote win, by 275 to 256 votes, gives a much needed boost of political capital to India’s beleaguered Indian National Congress (INC) party. We are cautiously optimistic that... 22nd July 2008 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus A double whammy for retail revenues Retailers face a double-squeeze on revenues over the next few years. Overall consumer spending growth is clearly set to slow sharply. But in addition, the retail sector is set to continue to take a... 8th July 2008 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus A double whammy for retail revenues Retailers face a double-squeeze on revenues over the next few years. Overall consumer spending growth is clearly set to slow sharply. But in addition, the retail sector is set to continue to take a... 8th July 2008 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Tankan shows Japan’s economy slowing, not collapsing June’s Tankan survey confirms that Japanese business conditions are deteriorating, but not as far as most had feared. The economy is in much better shape than at similar stages in previous downturns. 1st July 2008 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update Tankan shows Japan’s economy slowing, not collapsing June’s Tankan survey confirms that Japanese business conditions are deteriorating, but not as far as most had feared. The economy is in much better shape than at similar stages in previous downturns. 1st July 2008 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus How will companies fare this time? The corporate sector is arguably better placed to weather the economic downturn than either the household or public sector. Nonetheless, profits, investment and employment are all likely to fall... 23rd June 2008 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Tankan to remain well above recession territory The Bank of Japan’s quarterly “Tankan” survey for June, due next Tuesday (1st July), will almost certainly report that business conditions have deteriorated. However, there has been some better news... 23rd June 2008 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update Tankan to remain well above recession territory The Bank of Japan’s quarterly “Tankan” survey for June, due next Tuesday (1st July), will almost certainly report that business conditions have deteriorated. However, there has been some better news... 23rd June 2008 · 1 min read
