Asia Economics Update Does it matter who governs the Bank of Japan? The Bank of Japan left rates on hold today, as universally expected. The real interest lies in the dispute over the replacement for Governor Fukui, who retires later this month. We think that the... 7th March 2008 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Corporates face tighter credit conditions across the board Attention has focused on the fact that credit conditions are tightening for even non-subprime households. However, corporates are suffering too. Not only have banks tightened their lending conditions... 4th March 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Italian political crisis another blow to slowing economy The latest political crisis in Italy is unlikely to have a major impact on the markets or the economy itself. Nonetheless, at a time when consumer confidence is already slumping, the additional... 25th January 2008 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Focus Russia: What Next After Putin? This weekend’s parliamentary elections underlined that while President Putin will hand over the keys to his Presidential residence next March, he will retain the reins of power. For the economy this... 4th December 2007 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus Is private equity good for the economy? By overcoming the shortcomings of the publicly quoted market, private equity is promoting efficiency throughout the economy. Admittedly, private equity’s stellar returns to investors are also driven... 3rd September 2007 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus Employment growth to pick up as profits recover A variety of factors has been put forward to explain the recent weakness of employment growth. But the only one that seems to stand up to scrutiny is the recent squeeze on firms’ profits growth from... 12th July 2007 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Focus Turkey: the end of a golden era? There is a strong possibility that this month’s parliamentary elections in Turkey will return a weaker government. If so, then GDP growth could slow to around 4.5% per annum over the medium-term... 4th July 2007 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus Pricing power - passing or permanent? The rise in firms’ pricing power has climbed to the top of the MPC’s list of inflation worries. We think it reflects the transitory influences of previous cost increases and strong demand, rather than... 13th June 2007 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus Firms better placed than consumers to withstand rate rises Debt servicing costs in the corporate sector are even closer to their early 1990s highs than those in the household sector. But there are a number of reasons why higher interest rates and therefore... 24th May 2007 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Focus What should we expect from the US-China dialogue? The second meeting of the US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue this week will be a test of US Treasury Secretary Paulson’s non-confrontational approach with China. We think he will be hard-pressed... 21st May 2007 · 1 min read
China Economics Focus What should we expect from the US-China dialogue? The second meeting of the US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue this week will be a test of US Treasury Secretary Paulson’s non-confrontational approach with China. We think he will be hard-pressed... 21st May 2007 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Focus Europe's demographic time bomb On the face of it, the impact of demographic change on the euro-zone economy could be pretty disastrous. But with higher immigration flows, an older retirement age, an increase in the employment rate... 11th May 2007 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Focus French election unlikely to end economic malaise There are hopes that the Presidential election will rid France of its tag as the new “sick man of Europe”. But while the leading candidate Nicholas Sarkozy has proposed measures to tackle the problems... 16th April 2007 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus Who will a US slowdown hit hardest? The sectors of the UK economy most at threat from a major economic slowdown in the US include manufacturing, the City of London, tourism and the London housing market. But a US slowdown could be bad... 1st March 2007 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus How far can retailers widen their margins? The recent combination of rising cost pressures and subdued inflation on the high street implies that retailers’ margins have borne the brunt of the rises in energy costs. With a recovery in retail... 20th September 2006 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus How far can retailers widen their margins? The recent combination of rising cost pressures and subdued inflation on the high street implies that retailers’ margins have borne the brunt of the rises in energy costs. With a recovery in retail... 20th September 2006 · 1 min read
