Energy Update Is OPEC likely to call an extraordinary meeting? We doubt that there will be an extraordinary meeting of OPEC anytime soon and, even if there is, policy is unlikely to change. The cartel’s current strategy of tolerating price falls to protect market... 26th February 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone EC Survey (Feb.) February’s EC business and consumer surveys are consistent with slow and steady growth. But even if this can be sustained as the Greek crisis continues, it will do little to erode the spare capacity... 26th February 2015 · 1 min read
UK Data Response GDP: Second Estimate & Expenditure Breakdown (Q4) While the second estimate of Q4 GDP confirmed that the recovery lost some pace at the tail end of 2014, the new expenditure breakdown showed that the recovery has become better balanced, with net... 26th February 2015 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Data Response Economic Sentiment Indicators (Feb.) February’s Economic Sentiment Indicators (ESIs) brought further evidence that most economies in Central and South Eastern Europe are weathering twin headwinds from Greece and Russia relatively well... 26th February 2015 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Update Do the household statistics provide evidence of a housing shortage? The latest statistics on household formation show there has been a surge in the number of households with non-dependent children. While most will view this as further confirmation of a housing... 26th February 2015 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Chart Pack Inflation pressures easing across the MENA region The past month has brought further evidence that inflation is slowing across the MENA region. In Saudi Arabia, inflation now stands at its lowest rate in more than eight years, while price pressures... 26th February 2015 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Tight labour market in Taiwan providing boost to consumption A tight labour market in Taiwan is feeding through to stronger wage growth, which in turn is providing a boost to household consumption. The improving prospects for the consumer sector are a key... 26th February 2015 · 1 min read
Energy Data Response US Weekly Petroleum Status Report The latest data show that US oil stocks are climbing at an increasing rate as maintenance work at refineries means that even more oil is funnelled into storage. 25th February 2015 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Not much cause for concern in Mexico’s current account Mexico’s current account deficit narrowed to 2.1% of GDP on a four-quarter sum in Q4 and, with the worst of the falls in oil prices now behind us, we think it could narrow a touch further to about 1.5... 25th February 2015 · 1 min read
Capital Daily Assessing the relative value of US and euro-zone stock markets 25th February 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Has the tide turned for the Danish krone? The recent sharp drop in the Danish krone back to its central rate against the euro suggests that the Danish Nationalbank has been successful in preserving its currency peg. But the upward pressure on... 25th February 2015 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response New Home Sales (Jan.) New home sales sustained almost all of December’s seven-year high in January, falling by a marginal 0.2% m/m. The strong labour market and loosening mortgage credit conditions mean that the outlook... 25th February 2015 · 1 min read
Energy Watch Will US energy exports be a game-changer for global markets? A fast-changing regulatory background is becoming increasingly important to global energy markets. In this Energy Watch, we examine how the recent fall in oil prices has affected the outlook for US... 25th February 2015 · 1 min read
UK Commercial Property Chart Pack Downward trend in yields levels off in January The economy has begun the year on a fairly bright note. Surveys of business and consumer confidence have turned up and recent data confirm that the labour market ended 2014 in good health. Even so... 25th February 2015 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Chart Pack Russian consumers feel the squeeze The latest data have given mixed signals on the performance of Emerging Europe’s economies. The encouraging news is that growth in much of Central Europe (particularly Poland and Hungary) seems to be... 25th February 2015 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update South Africa Budget: Tighter policy, more realistic assumptions Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene today presented an annual budget that raised consumption taxes in an effort to limit South Africa’s fiscal deficit, a move that will add to the headwinds facing economic... 25th February 2015 · 1 min read
