Europe Economics Update QE meets expectations, but won’t work miracles The ECB’s much-anticipated quantitative easing programme appears to have met or even exceeded expectations in terms of size and shape. But we remain sceptical that it will revive the euro-zone economy... 22nd January 2015 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Which central banks will resist the policy-loosening trend? Central banks in several economies have loosened monetary policy this week and there is likely to be further easing to come. However, there are some exceptions among emerging markets, and we still... 22nd January 2015 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Mine closures to boost lead prices The lead price has mirrored falls in copper in recent months. Whilst demand growth is set to remain unspectacular in 2015, and sentiment may be weak, recent and impending mine closures will provide a... 22nd January 2015 · 1 min read
Commodities Update What does QE in the euro-zone mean for commodities? The European Central Bank’s decision to launch a large-scale programme of government bond purchases under quantitative easing (QE) is unlikely to provide a major boost to the prices of global... 22nd January 2015 · 1 min read
Energy Data Response US Weekly Petroleum Status Report Today’s data provide further evidence that traders are stockpiling US crude to take advantage of the difference between low spot prices and higher future ones. 22nd January 2015 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Economics Update ECB QE and what it means for emerging markets The programme of asset purchases announced by the European Central Bank (ECB) earlier today was larger than had been expected only a few days ago, but fears that it could fuel destabilising inflows to... 22nd January 2015 · 1 min read
US Chart Pack Consumer confidence soaring While financial markets are concerned that the slump in energy prices and the drop back in long-term interest rates partly reflect the weakness of economic growth in Europe and Asia, consumers have no... 22nd January 2015 · 1 min read
UK Data Response CBI Industrial Trends Survey (Jan. & Q1) The latest CBI Industrial Trends Survey indicated that weak overseas demand is continuing to keep a lid on the pace of the manufacturing sector’s recovery. 22nd January 2015 · 1 min read
UK Commercial Property Update Is rental growth reaching a peak? The latest sharp drop in the pace of job creation was driven largely by a drop in self-employment. And given that total hours worked and the number of vacancies all continued to rise at a healthy pace... 22nd January 2015 · 1 min read
India Chart Pack Further rate cuts are on the way The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) shocked markets earlier this month by cutting its main policy rates at an unscheduled meeting. The accompanying statement also paved the way for further policy... 22nd January 2015 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Public Finances (Dec.) December’s public finance figures showed that the pace of deficit reduction remains very slow given the economy’s recent strength and so cast doubt over whether the much bigger planned reductions in... 22nd January 2015 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Update What impact will the general election have on the housing market? General elections have in the past had no discernable impact on the housing market. While it can be argued that the elevated level of uncertainty surrounding this year’s election will change that... 22nd January 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update What to look for from the ECB today It would be one of the biggest shocks in recent monetary policy history if the European Central Bank (ECB) did not announce some form of quantitative easing (QE) today. But will it live up to... 22nd January 2015 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Brazil’s central bank suggests more hikes to come The big news from yesterday’s central bank meeting in Brazil isn’t the decision to raise interest rates to a three-year high of 12.25% - this was expected by pretty much everyone. Instead, the major... 22nd January 2015 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Update Bank of Canada shocks markets with rate cut The Bank of Canada shocked markets this morning by lowering its policy interest rate from 1.00% to 0.75%, in response to the collapse in oil prices that now threatens the outlook for economic growth... 21st January 2015 · 1 min read
