US Data Response Conference Board Consumer Confidence (Feb.) Despite falling in February, the Conference Board measure of consumer confidence continues to show that consumers have started 2015 in an optimistic mood. Confidence is still at a level consistent... 24th February 2015 · 1 min read
US Economics Update Yellen positions the Fed for a June rate hike Chair Janet Yellen's prepared congressional testimony, which struck a more upbeat tone on labour market conditions and included a detailed discussion of how the forward guidance will be amended... 24th February 2015 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response Case-Shiller House Prices (Dec.) December marked the fourth consecutive month during which house prices rose by at least 0.5% m/m. The slight acceleration in price growth at the end of last year reflects the tightening in housing... 24th February 2015 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Election worries hit Nigeria Sentiment towards Nigeria has soured following news that presidential elections scheduled for earlier this month will be postponed until 28th March due to security concerns. We expect that the naira... 24th February 2015 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Turkey cuts rates but lira concerns limit room for further easing Turkey’s central bank (CBRT) justified today’s decision to lower interest rates on the grounds that inflation has fallen back, but the reality is that it remains under intense pressure from the... 24th February 2015 · 1 min read
Latin America Data Response Brazil IPCA-15 Consumer Prices (Feb.) A further sharp rise in Brazilian inflation in the first half of February has tipped the balance towards another 50bp increase in the Selic interest rate at next month’s central bank meeting, rather... 24th February 2015 · 1 min read
Metals Data Response ILZSG Data (2014) The preliminary 2014 data from the International Lead and Zinc Study Group (ILZSG) show another year of deficit in the global zinc market, while the lead market was effectively in balance. With... 24th February 2015 · 1 min read
Africa Data Response South Africa GDP (Q4) South Africa’s economy grew at its strongest pace in a year Q4, but this was largely a result of a temporary rebound following weakness in previous quarters, and so is unlikely to be sustained... 24th February 2015 · 1 min read
India Economics Focus Improvement in balance of payments position here to stay Eighteen months ago the rupee plunged to a record low against the US dollar as concerns over India’s external vulnerabilities made it one of the hardest-hit economies during the “taper tantrum”. Since... 24th February 2015 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Small Business Confidence (Feb.) Despite a modest rebound in February, small business confidence remains weak. 24th February 2015 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Gulf equity markets find some support from recovery in oil prices A pick-up in oil prices has supported a small rebound in Gulf stock markets over the past month but, further out, hopes of a sharp rally are likely to be disappointed. Meanwhile, having allowed the... 24th February 2015 · 1 min read
Asia Data Response Vietnam CPI (Feb.) Consumer price inflation in Vietnam slowed again in February, and looks set to remain very low for the coming year. With the economy still overwhelmingly dependent on exports for growth, another rate... 24th February 2015 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update What’s behind the slowdown in Japanese FDI into China? The slowdown in Japanese FDI into China is not reflective of a general pullback in overseas investment by Japanese firms but is instead linked, we think, to political tensions between the two... 24th February 2015 · 1 min read
Capital Daily Will a foreign hunt for yield provide some support to US Treasuries? 23rd February 2015 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response Existing Home Sales (Jan.) The drop in home sales at the start of 2015 is not a sign that the (admittedly lacklustre) housing recovery is coming off the rails. Strong employment growth and signs that wage growth will soon... 23rd February 2015 · 1 min read
