Global Economics Update Should we worry about dollar strength? The surge in the US dollar to multi-year highs has triggered many worries, including the threat to the US recovery, heightened risks of global deflation via the impact on commodity prices, and the... 12th March 2015 · 1 min read
Africa Data Response South Africa Manufacturing Production (Jan.) The fall in South African manufacturing and mining output in January supports our view that the rebound in economic growth seen in Q4 was only temporary. We expect GDP growth to return to a more... 12th March 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Focus Will Greece & deflation re-ignite the euro-zone crisis? The combination of Greece’s renewed problems and the onset of deflation is a very toxic one for the euro-zone. At best, it is likely to keep economic growth in the region fairly subdued. At worst, it... 12th March 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Industrial Production (Jan.) January’s euro-zone industrial production data suggested that industry had a poor start to 2015, with little evidence of a boost from the weaker euro or lower oil prices. 12th March 2015 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Trade (Jan.) Following the substantial net trade boost to the economic recovery in Q4, January’s trade figures brought more good news on the economy’s rebalancing. But sterling’s recent strength suggests that the... 12th March 2015 · 1 min read
UK Commercial Property Update Are we underestimating the outlook for high street rents? Experience suggests that the recent upturn in consumer confidence and retail sales could drive a rapid recovery in high street rental values over the next year. But given the huge supply overhang in... 12th March 2015 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Credit growth needs to slow further We have been warning for some time that parts of Asia are experiencing an unsustainable credit binge, and that credit growth will need to slow for a crisis to be avoided. Encouragingly, credit growth... 12th March 2015 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Trade Monitor EM export downturn deepens The value of EM exports fell at the sharpest rate in more than five years in January. The timing of Chinese New Year was partly to blame, and an improvement is almost guaranteed in February, given the... 12th March 2015 · 1 min read
Australia & New Zealand Economics Update New Zealand - RBNZ to shift from neutral to reverse later this year The Reserve Bank of Australia can’t have its cake and eat it. The only way to ensure that the Australian dollar weakens, which would support the real economy, is to reduce interest rates further, but... 12th March 2015 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response RICS Residential Market Survey (Feb.) Housing demand finally stabilised in February according to RICS surveyors, but the lack of homes for sale appears to be weighing on buyer enquiries. But that same lack of properties on the market is... 12th March 2015 · 1 min read
Commodities Update How do oil prices, diets and climate change affect food prices? Agricultural commodities are less sensitive to the economic cycle than other commodities such as oil and copper, mainly because, in the short term, income and price elasticities for essential... 12th March 2015 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Data Response Saudi Arabia Consumer Prices (Feb.) Saudi Arabia’s inflation rate eased further in February to 2.1% y/y, driven in large part by another drop in food inflation. Against the backdrop of slower growth and weak commodity prices, we expect... 12th March 2015 · 1 min read
China Data Response Bank Lending & Broad Credit (Feb.) Credit growth strengthened last month on the back of a more accommodative policy stance. That said, we still think that concerns over the build-up of credit risks mean policymakers will stop short of... 12th March 2015 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Consumer Confidence (Feb.) While the strong rebound in consumer sentiment in February is welcome, there are increasing signs that household inflation expectations are declining. 12th March 2015 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Korea's rate cut likely marks end of cutting cycle The Bank of Korea (BoK) reduced its policy rate by 25 basis points to 1.75% today, adding to a growing list of central banks that have cut rates this year. But Korea's high household debt levels... 12th March 2015 · 1 min read
Australia & New Zealand Data Response Australia Employment (Feb.) The 15,600 increase in Australian employment and slight fall in the unemployment rate last month may be seen by some commentators as a cause for relief. But the bigger picture is that Australia’s... 12th March 2015 · 1 min read
