UK Economics Weekly Tory majority brings more clarity to fiscal outlook The Tories’ outright majority indicates that the economy is clearly heading for a major re-intensification of the fiscal squeeze next year. This will represent only the first step towards their... 8th May 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Market gyrations could threaten recovery The sharp rise in euro-zone bond yields and further appreciation of the euro last week might look like a response to the recent improvement in the euro-zone’s economic performance. But the renewed... 8th May 2015 · 1 min read
Commodities Update US Employment Report (Apr.) The monthly US employment report can often trigger large movements in global commodity prices. April’s data, released today, have so far been an exception. Nonetheless, the numbers support our view... 8th May 2015 · 1 min read
US Economics Weekly Slump in nominal business sales not a concern The slowdown in the annual growth rate of business sales is not a concern since sales are measured in nominal terms. That growth rate has been affected more by the slump in energy prices rather than... 8th May 2015 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update What next for US and euro-zone government bonds? While government bonds in the US and the euro-zone have both been rattled by a rebound in the price of oil, we think other factors will start to play a more important role in determining their fate. 8th May 2015 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Has the general election changed the consumer outlook? With the Conservatives achieving an overall majority in the general election, we now know that consumers are set to face another five years of harsh austerity. But on the whole, households look better... 8th May 2015 · 1 min read
Latin America Data Response Brazil & Chile Consumer Prices (Apr.) Brazil inflation edged up again last month but, with the big increases in regulated prices now over, it is probably close to peaking. Meanwhile in Chile, inflation continues to grind lower and should... 8th May 2015 · 1 min read
US Data Response Employment Report (Apr.) Although non-farm payrolls increased by a relatively healthy 223,000 and the unemployment rate edged down to a seven-year low of 5.4%, April's employment report was otherwise something of a mixed bag... 8th May 2015 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Asia’s exports should recover from weak Q1 Emerging Asia’s export performance took a sharp turn for the worse in the first quarter, with a slump in demand from China creating the largest drag. However, a positive turnaround is likely over the... 8th May 2015 · 1 min read
Commodities Update China’s oil imports up strongly in April China’s commodity imports, with the exception of oil, remained relatively subdued in April. However, we expect import growth to pick up in tandem with higher government spending on infrastructure. 8th May 2015 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update UK election eases political uncertainty, but sterling risks remain Financial markets have initially welcomed the clarity and continuity resulting from the Conservative Party’s unexpectedly decisive victory in the UK general election. Political risks have undoubtedly... 8th May 2015 · 1 min read
UK Commercial Property Focus How big is the safe-haven premium for London property? Gauging the impact of safe-haven demand on the pricing of Central London property is not easy and any estimates carry sizeable health warnings. But we think it is plausible that Central London office... 8th May 2015 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Trade (Mar.) Although all eyes this morning have been on the general election result, March’s trade figures have also been released and help to explain some of the slowdown in GDP growth in the first quarter. 8th May 2015 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Weekly Bank of Japan will have to ease more before too long The Bank of Japan’s decision not to step up the pace of easing at the end of April has prompted us to pare back our expectations for yen depreciation in the near term. But we still think that... 8th May 2015 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response Halifax House Prices (Apr.) The latest rise in the Halifax house price index might not be quite as strong as it initially seems. The underlying trend in the pace of house price growth actually eased a little. Nevertheless, it... 8th May 2015 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Data Response Turkey Ind. Prod. (Mar.) & Hungary CPI (Apr.) The stronger-than-expected 4.7% y/y rise in Turkish industrial production in March provides much-needed good news for President Erdogan ahead of next month’s election. But even so, growth in industry... 8th May 2015 · 1 min read
