Energy Watch A year of two halves The widening of the Brent – WTI spread has captured headlines again recently. In this Energy Watch we explain why the price of WTI has been lagging Brent and examine the outlook for the price of the... 26th March 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Monetary Indicators Monitor (Feb.) February’s euro-zone monetary data add to the evidence from activity surveys that economic growth in the euro-zone will pick up in the coming months. But troubles in the Greek banking sector remain a... 26th March 2015 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Retail Sales (Feb.) February’s retail sales figures suggested that the recovery in spending has got back on track, after a weak start to the year. What’s more, the prospects for the rest of the year remain bright. 26th March 2015 · 1 min read
Asia Data Response Vietnam GDP (Q1) Vietnam’s economy grew strongly in the first quarter of the year, thanks mainly to robust growth in the manufacturing sector. We are raising our growth forecast for this year to reflect the improving... 26th March 2015 · 1 min read
Africa Chart Pack Nigerian politics take centre stage All eyes are focused on Nigeria’s election on 28th March, which will almost certainly spark a brief period of political violence when (as seems likely) the losing candidate refuses to accept the... 26th March 2015 · 1 min read
Metals Focus Analysing the drivers of the nickel price We expect nickel demand to pick up this year supported by a rebound in global stainless steel output. With refined nickel production in China likely to fall owing to problems with sourcing ore and... 26th March 2015 · 1 min read
Australia & New Zealand Chart Pack Investment outlook weakens While some of the latest data have suggested that economic activity in Australia has accelerated since the turn of the year, the bigger picture is that the economy is still struggling to cope with the... 25th March 2015 · 1 min read
Energy Data Response US Weekly Petroleum Status Report Oil and gasoline stocks continued to diverge last week as drivers took further advantage of low fuel prices. 25th March 2015 · 1 min read
US Chart Pack Slump in productivity growth could be pivotal Fed officials haven't had a lot to say about the slump in productivity growth but, just as the upsurge in productivity growth in the 1990s was crucial in allowing the Fed to leave rates lower for... 25th March 2015 · 1 min read
US Data Response Durable Goods (Feb.) Equipment investment probably contracted in the first quarter, but the improving survey evidence points to a rebound in the second quarter. The consensus forecast that durable goods orders increased... 25th March 2015 · 1 min read
UK Commercial Property Chart Pack Rental growth starts to take centre-stage The economy moved closer to deflation in February as headline CPI inflation fell to zero. In principle, falling prices could undermine the recovery as consumers defer spending. But, deflation is... 25th March 2015 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Chart Pack Central Europe shaping up well at the start of 2015 Despite concerns about deflation, a recession in Russia and sluggishness in the euro-zone, the latest data out of Central Europe have been surprisingly robust. Industrial production growth has... 25th March 2015 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response BBA Mortgage Lending (Feb.) A strong economic backdrop, and early signs that lenders are seeking to raise the availability of loans helped mortgage approvals increase for the second month in a row. Both factors should continue... 25th March 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response German Ifo Survey (Mar.) March’s rise in the German Ifo index provided further evidence that the recovery in the euro-zone’s largest economy continued in Q1 as firms shrugged off fears over Greece and the weaker euro started... 25th March 2015 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Chart Pack Saudi Arabia refuses to budge Even though oil prices continue to languish at around $55pb, there is still no sign that Saudi Arabia will give in to pressure from other OPEC members to cut oil output. Oil Minister, Ali al-Naimi... 25th March 2015 · 1 min read
