Europe Economics Weekly Will QE spur a revival in investment? The risks of a Greek default and possible euro-zone exit rose further last week as its creditors made clear that a bailout disbursement was unlikely in the near term. Despite this, ECB President Mario... 17th April 2015 · 1 min read
OPEC Watch OPEC production boosted by record Saudi output Last month’s increase in supply from OPEC just adds to the glut of oil already in the market. And although the cartel has also boosted its demand estimates for this year, global supply should still be... 16th April 2015 · 1 min read
Energy Chart Pack Ups and downs in the Middle East drive oil prices The biggest news in the energy market over the last month has undoubtedly been the rebound in oil prices, which came despite the announcement of a preliminary deal between Iran and the West. However... 16th April 2015 · 1 min read
Energy Data Response US Weekly Petroleum Status Report Today’s data add to evidence that US oil production may be slowing more quickly than the market had anticipated. Coupled with further signs of a revival in demand this should support prices in the... 15th April 2015 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Weaker dollar provides a breather Commodity prices have generally risen since the middle of March, supported by a slightly weaker dollar. However, concerns about Chinese demand have weighed on the prices of some commodities... 14th April 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Industrial Production (Feb.) February’s strong rise in euro-zone industrial production suggested that industry is starting to feel the benefits of a weaker euro and a lower oil price. 14th April 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Italian Industrial Production (Feb.) February’s Italian industrial production data added to signs that the long recession may finally be coming to an end. But the recovery still looks surprisingly slow given the boost provided by falls... 13th April 2015 · 1 min read
Commodities Weekly Oil shrugs off Iran deal A preliminary deal between Iran and the West saw oil prices fall sharply early this week, but they quickly rebounded as it became apparent that the return of Iranian oil exports would be delayed until... 10th April 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Oil and euro boosts to growth will fade next year We have revised our forecasts for euro-zone GDP growth higher to reflect the positive effects of lower oil prices and the decline in the euro. But growth could slow again next year as those positive... 10th April 2015 · 1 min read
Energy Update Oil spreads to continue narrowing The spread between the price of Brent and the price of the US benchmark oil, WTI, should continue to narrow over the next few years as the glut of crude which has been built up in the US recedes. 10th April 2015 · 1 min read
Energy Data Response US Weekly Petroleum Status Report Today’s data seem to confirm that last week’s fall in oil production and relatively small increase in crude stocks were more of a blip than a sign that the current upward trend in output and stocks... 8th April 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economic Outlook Recovery prospects clouded by Greece Recent indicators have brought signs of a renewed recovery in the euro-zone economy, reflecting the beneficial effects of lower oil prices and the decline in the euro exchange rate. But the picture... 8th April 2015 · 1 min read
Energy Update Iranian oil likely to come back to the market, just not yet The preliminary deal reached between Iran and the Western powers should, eventually, allow Iranian oil exports to return to their previous levels. However, some of the finer details still have to be... 8th April 2015 · 1 min read
Commodities Weekly Calm before the (next) storm? The past week saw relatively little movement in commodity prices compared to the volatility earlier in the year, as the surge in the dollar ran out of steam. The biggest gainers – notably wheat and... 3rd April 2015 · 1 min read
Energy Update No light at the end of the tunnel for coal prices We expect global demand for coal to be subdued and prices to fall further over the next few years as major consumers in China, the US and Europe continue to move away from coal power. 3rd April 2015 · 1 min read
Commodities Chart Pack Commodities remain in thrall to the dollar The ebb and flow of sentiment towards the US currency continues to be a key driver of commodity markets and especially gold and silver, keeping prices sensitive to the latest US economic data and... 3rd April 2015 · 1 min read