Global Economics Update Are falling inflation expectations a worrying omen? Market-based measures of inflation expectations have declined in the major advanced economies over the past few months. However, the economic risks posed by an extended period of very low inflation or... 27th January 2015 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Update Canadian dollar likely to tumble further Softening economic conditions and speculation about another interest rate cut from the Bank of Canada will keep downward pressure on the Canadian dollar. Allowing for a modest bounce back in the price... 27th January 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update ECB QE to drive European commercial property yields lower still The real impact of the ECB’s new QE programme on GDP growth and occupier demand will initially be stymied by the Greek election results and the ensuing debt re-negotiations. However, investors will be... 27th January 2015 · 1 min read
Latin America Chart Pack Brazil’s inflation outlook diverges from the pack Data released over the past month have highlighted the contrasting outlook for inflation in Brazil compared with that of the rest of the region. After a brief period within the central bank’s target... 27th January 2015 · 1 min read
US Data Response Conference Board Consumer Confidence (Jan.) The surge in the Conference Board measure of consumer confidence to a seven-year high in January suggests that consumers started the year in a buoyant mood and that the decline in retail sales in... 27th January 2015 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update Are markets too sanguine about contagion from Greece? Despite concerns over Greece’s future within the euro-zone, the yields on government bonds in the rest of peripheral and southern Europe have generally remained low and close to those of Germany. This... 27th January 2015 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response Case-Shiller Prices & New Home Sales (Nov./Dec.) The strong rise in new home sales in December, which followed an encouraging gain in existing home sales in the same month, means that housing market supply conditions are tightening. That’s putting... 27th January 2015 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Hungarian MPC hints that case for rate cuts is building The communiqué accompanying the Hungarian MPC’s decision to leave interest rates unchanged at 2.1% earlier today once again signalled that current monetary conditions are likely to stay in place for... 27th January 2015 · 1 min read
US Data Response Durable Goods (Dec.) The weakness in non-defence capital goods shipments in December means that the balance of risks to our estimate that fourth-quarter GDP increased by 3.0% annualised now lie a little to the downside... 27th January 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Rise of populist parties unlikely to end austerity Syriza’s victory in the Greek general election may increase the influence of anti-austerity parties elsewhere in the euro-zone, most notably Podemos in Spain. But resistance from Germany seems set to... 27th January 2015 · 1 min read
Energy Update Rise in US oil stocks supports spot prices The surge in US stocks of oil in the last few weeks has been driven at least in part by attempts to arbitrage low spot prices with higher futures ones. This should support prices over the next few... 27th January 2015 · 1 min read
RBI Watch Will Governor Rajan follow up on early rate cut? Following the RBI’s decision to cut interest rates at an unscheduled meeting earlier this month, a small majority of forecasters expect rates to be kept on hold at the scheduled policy meeting next... 27th January 2015 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Naira remains under pressure The Nigerian naira has remained under pressure over the past month and we expect that it will fall further as foreign reserves dwindle and the currency continues to adjust to lower oil prices. We have... 27th January 2015 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Divergence in EM inflation to widen further in 2015 Inflation has diverged significantly across the emerging world over the past few months. While some economies have slipped into deflation, in a number of countries consumer prices are rising at a... 27th January 2015 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response BBA Mortgage Lending (Dec.) The number of mortgages approved for house purchase dipped again in December, and ended the year 28% lower than the beginning. But record low mortgage rates, the reforms to stamp duty, the return of... 27th January 2015 · 1 min read
