US Economics Update Is the US headed for another weather-related contraction? Even after the run of weaker economic data for February, we still expect first-quarter GDP growth to be close to 2.0% annualised. It is pretty obvious by now that, for the second year in a row, the... 19th March 2015 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Fed tightening still a near-term threat, but can be offset The gains in commodity prices after yesterday’s dovish statement could soon be more than reversed if the Fed presses ahead and raises rates earlier than the markets now expect, especially if the... 19th March 2015 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update What to make of the Fed’s new projections Downward revisions to FOMC participants’ projections for the federal funds rate have triggered a significant rally in Treasuries and taken some heat out of the dollar. But our expectation is that the... 19th March 2015 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Economics Chart Pack Post-FOMC relief proves short-lived The rally in EM currencies following the conclusion of yesterday’s FOMC meeting has proved to be short-lived, with markets seemingly focussing on the fact that the Fed has paved the way for a June... 19th March 2015 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update South Africa GDP Tracker points to slowdown at start of year Attention in South Africa has been focused on the impact of US monetary policy, but evidence that the economy has slowed sharply seems to have slipped under the radar. Our GDP Tracker suggests that... 19th March 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Norway’s central bank holds rates, but cuts still lie ahead The Norges Bank unexpectedly left its policy rate on hold at 1.25% today but with the economic situation set to deteriorate, we think that the Norges Bank will be forced to cut rates at its next... 19th March 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update SNB will have to act against the franc before long The Swiss National Bank’s decision to leave its deposit rate at -0.75% presumably reflects the slight softening of the franc over recent weeks. But we expect renewed upward pressure on the currency to... 19th March 2015 · 1 min read
UK Commercial Property Update Will the stronger pound undermine hotel returns? For many Europeans, the cost of visiting the UK has jumped by almost 20% over the past 18 months and almost 10% since Christmas. Yet the evidence shows that currency shifts have a negligible impact on... 19th March 2015 · 1 min read
Australia & New Zealand Data Response New Zealand GDP (Q4) New Zealand ended last year on a strong note, but the details of the GDP release for the fourth quarter support our view that this year will be a very different story. We expect growth to slow from 3... 19th March 2015 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Asia does not need to follow the Fed's lead The first rate hike in the US looks to be only a matter of months away. But local factors, not the actions of the US Federal Reserve, will determine the next moves by Asia's central banks. 19th March 2015 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update SNB will have to act against the franc before long The Swiss National Bank’s decision to leave its deposit rate at -0.75% presumably reflects the slight softening of the franc over recent weeks. But we expect renewed upward pressure on the currency to... 19th March 2015 · 1 min read
US Economics Update Fed drops "patient" but also lowers rate projections Although the Fed dropped its pledge that it could be "patient" in beginning to normalise monetary policy, paving the way for a June lift-off, the substantial downgrades to the interest rate forecasts... 18th March 2015 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus Budget 2015: Sticking to his guns This was a budget designed to bolster the Government’s reputation for sound economic management and to make Labour’s plans for a looser fiscal stance look irresponsible. In 2015/16, the sum total of... 18th March 2015 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Update Help to Buy ISA could slow housing market in short term The Help to Buy ISA has the potential to boost house prices over a two to six year horizon. But we expect it will dampen activity in the short term, as prospective buyers hold back to provide their... 18th March 2015 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Lead demand to pick up this year A strong outlook for the global auto market, given loose credit conditions, low oil prices and rising incomes in developing countries, should boost lead demand this year. With low stocks and only... 18th March 2015 · 1 min read
India Economics Update Remittance inflows set to remain strong Concerns about destabilising capital flows to emerging markets such as India have again come to the fore, but one factor that often gets overlooked is the role of overseas remittances. Remittance... 18th March 2015 · 1 min read
