Energy Data Response US Weekly Petroleum Status Report US oil stocks fell last week by much more than expected. Oil production also took a sharp tumble as lower prices continue to take their toll. 29th July 2015 · 1 min read
Commodities Update High inventories & strong US dollar to wilt wheat prices The price of US wheat has been on a rollercoaster over the past two months. However, with high global stocks and a stronger US dollar, we think prices will trend down over the remainder of the year. 29th July 2015 · 1 min read
Asia Chart Pack Bigger risks to growth in Malaysia than 1MDB scandal The controversy surrounding the state investment company, 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), has intensified in recent days after Prime Minister Najib Razak, who has been accused of taking money from... 29th July 2015 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Ruble slump concerns CBR, but easing cycle likely to continue The move by Russia’s central bank to halt its foreign currency purchases suggests that policymakers have become increasingly concerned by the recent slump in the ruble. But even so, the impact on both... 29th July 2015 · 1 min read
UK Data Response CBI Distributive Trades Survey (Jul.) Despite softening a little, July’s CBI Distributive Trades Survey nonetheless remained robust and the big picture is that retail sales volumes still seem to be growing at a fairly healthy rate. 29th July 2015 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Update Looser credit conditions will support mortgage recovery Most evidence suggests that credit conditions are loosening, albeit very gradually. As it becomes clearer that the housing and wider economic recoveries are strong enough to cope with a gradual rise... 29th July 2015 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Currencies hover around record lows The fact that many of the region’s currencies are now trading at or close to record lows against the dollar has grabbed all the headlines in recent weeks, but the falls of most currencies month-to... 29th July 2015 · 1 min read
UK Commercial Property Update Greater scope for prime office yields to narrow in Munich than London The spread between government bond yields in Germany and the UK is less indicative of the relative strength of the two countries’ economic outlooks than it was in the past. As such, in contrast to... 29th July 2015 · 1 min read
UK Commercial Property Data Response Colliers/Real Estate Capital Pricing Survey (July) July’s Colliers/REC pricing survey contained evidence of a more cautious tone among the survey’s respondents. For one thing, for the first time in several years, a sizeable minority thought that it... 29th July 2015 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update Fed won’t spark EM sell-off today, but data may add to volatility We do not expect any fireworks in EM financial markets after today’s FOMC statement, but with policymakers likely to reiterate that the timing of “lift-off” will be data dependent our upbeat view on... 29th July 2015 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response Mortgage Lending (Jun.) Mortgage approvals for house purchase rose in June, after suffering an unexpected fall during May. And while approvals still remain lower than in April, a strong economy and favourable mortgage market... 29th July 2015 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Household Borrowing Monitor (Jun.) June’s money and credit figures showed a further pick-up in lending to households and the housing market recovery regaining some momentum. But there is little to suggest that consumers are embarking... 29th July 2015 · 1 min read
Africa Chart Pack African interest rates begin rise The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) finally began its long-awaited tightening cycle by raising the repo rate from 5.75% to 6.00% this month. We had anticipated the move, and expect that the SARB... 29th July 2015 · 1 min read
UK Commercial Property Data Response Lending to commercial property (June) With capital values buoyant, investor sentiment strong and reports that availability is becoming a pressing issue in many markets, June’s drop in net property lending is unlikely to be a sign that the... 29th July 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Are imbalances still a problem in the euro-zone? Euro-zone current account imbalances have narrowed since the financial crisis, and there are good reasons to think that they will not return to pre-crisis levels for some time. But policymakers’... 29th July 2015 · 1 min read
