Energy Watch Will China become a net-exporter of coal? The depreciation of the Chinese currency alongwith declining consumption and imports of coalhave raised the question of whether China,currently the world’s largest importer of coal, could soon switch... 21st August 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Greek election adds to bailout implementation risks Prime Minister Tsipras’ decision to call an election threw the Greek situation back into disarray only hours after he secured Greece’s first bailout payment last week. Tsipras should win, perhaps with... 21st August 2015 · 1 min read
Canada Data Response Consumer Prices (Jul.) & Retail Sales (Jun.) Although July's annual core inflation rate nudged up to 2.4% from 2.3%, the Bank of Canada likely couldn't care less. With the economy in a mild recession and falling oil and other industrial... 21st August 2015 · 1 min read
Latin America Data Response Brazil IPCA-15 (Aug.) Data to mid-August provide a glimmer of hope that the big month-on-month increases in consumer prices in Brazil are now behind us. In year-on-year terms, inflation should peak this month, but it will... 21st August 2015 · 1 min read
Metals Watch A brighter future for gold prices The price of gold has been undermined this year by the strength of the dollar and rising bond yields as the first hike in US interest rates approaches. Indeed, we continue to expect one more dip from... 21st August 2015 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Why comparisons with the Asian financial crisis are wrong The recent tumble in Asian currencies has given rise to concerns that the region could be onthe brink of a repeat of the Asian financial crisis. In general, these suggestions are over the top.There... 21st August 2015 · 1 min read
UK Economics Weekly Consumers to remain confident despite equity rout The FTSE 100’s sharp decline last week, leaving it 10% below its peak in April, certainly won’t lift consumers’ spirits but it is unlikely to be large enough to dissuade them from continuing to spend... 21st August 2015 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Public Finances (Jul.) July’s public borrowing figures showed that the public finances are now benefitingfully from the economic recovery’s strength. But at this early stage of the fiscal year,it is too soon to conclude... 21st August 2015 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Update Why are homes becoming more expensive to build? Official statistics show that the real cost of constructing a home has essentially doubled over the past 10 years. That could indicate that homes are now much better quality than in the past, but it... 21st August 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Flash PMIs (Aug.) August’s rise in the euro-zone composite PMI came as a relief after last month’s fall and signs of a slowdown in other indicators. But it still points to modest growth that will do little to erode the... 21st August 2015 · 1 min read
Commodities Update China, Japan & Euro-zone Flash PMIs (Aug.) The weak manufacturing PMI reading from China may have been distorted bytemporary factors and the manufacturing sector has yet to feel the full benefit of policyeasing. Nonetheless, today's Chinese... 21st August 2015 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Weekly GPIF's higher returns won’t solve social security woes The Government Pension Investment Fund achieved a record profit last year, and the value of its assets climbed to a fresh high. However, the fund won’t earn double-digit returns on a sustained basis... 21st August 2015 · 1 min read
China Data Response Caixin/Markit Flash Manufacturing PMI (Aug.) Today’s weaker-than-expected PMI will add to mounting concerns over Chinese growth. Nonetheless, we continue to believe that sentiment is currently overly downbeat and that policy support will limit... 21st August 2015 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Flash Manufacturing PMI (Aug.) Today’s flash manufacturing PMI for August suggested that the sector has continued to gain momentum, adding to signs that the economy has returned to growth this quarter, following a contraction in Q2... 21st August 2015 · 1 min read
India Chart Pack A missed opportunity The monsoon session of parliament, which concluded last week, has ended up being one of the biggest disappointments of Prime Minister Modi’s tenure so far, with virtually no progress made on pushing... 21st August 2015 · 1 min read
Australia & New Zealand Economics Weekly How loose are monetary conditions in New Zealand? Our estimated Taylor Rule shows that the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) is keeping interest rates lower than current economic conditions would usually warrant in an effort to boost inflation. If... 21st August 2015 · 1 min read
