UK Economics Update Bank of England’s stress tests may prove tougher to pass While it is encouraging that all four of the major UK banks passed the European Banking Authority’s stress tests, the narrow margin by which some did so raises concerns that the Bank of England’s more... 27th October 2014 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Tunisia election: return to political stability to support growth The victory for Nidaa Tounes in Tunisia’s parliamentary election is likely to raise hopes that economic reforms are in the pipeline. Perhaps more importantly, the fact that the election passed... 27th October 2014 · 1 min read
UK Data Response CBI Distributive Trades Survey (Oct.) The CBI Distributive Trades Survey provided an encouraging sign that retail sales picked up in October following weather-related weakness last month. What’s more, the prospects for consumer spending... 27th October 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Monetary Indicators Monitor (Sep.) September’s euro-zone monetary data showed further signs of improvement but with lending growth still negative and, given the need for some of the weakest banks to raise further capital, the sector is... 27th October 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Ukraine: encouraging election doesn’t end political crisis The victory of pro-Western, reformist parties in yesterday’s election was perhaps the best that could have been hoped for. But with the economy in freefall and the conflict in the east of the country... 27th October 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response German Ifo Survey (Oct.) October’s fall in Ifo business sentiment was a blow to hopes that the German recovery should resume at the end of the year and will add to pressure on the Government there to consider a fiscal boost. 27th October 2014 · 1 min read
China Activity Monitor China’s growth remains on a downward path Although activity in industry rebounded in September, our China Activity Proxy (CAP) suggests that the wider economy continued to slow last month. 27th October 2014 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Dilma scrapes home, quashing hopes of policy shift in Brazil Dilma Rousseff's narrow victory in yesterday’s presidential run-off in Brazil has dented hopes that the elections might deliver much-need economic policy reforms. Growth in Ms. Rousseff’s first term... 27th October 2014 · 1 min read
Bank of Japan Watch Lower energy prices another reason to ease more Just a few months ago, a sizeable number of analysts were expecting the Bank of Japan to provide more stimulus at the upcoming meeting, but only a few are still holding on to that view. We expect that... 27th October 2014 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Weekly Still waiting for that elusive economic rebound The recent run of weak data confirms that the economy fared even worse in August after barely growing in July. Encouragingly, leading indicators point to a spectacular rebound in September, though it... 27th October 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Stress tests to put spotlight on Italy and Greece The Comprehensive Assessment of the euro-zone’s banks published on Sunday should go some way towards restoring sentiment in the banking sector. After all, the adverse economic scenarios to which the... 24th October 2014 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response New Home Sales (Sep.) New home sales stalled in September, following the previous month’s jump. But with the economic backdrop still favourable and mortgage rates low, we expect sales will resume their upwards trend soon. 24th October 2014 · 1 min read
US Economics Weekly Fed to complete QE taper with GDP growth still strong Recent financial market volatility won’t prevent the Fed from announcing an end to its asset purchases this week, at the conclusion of the two-day FOMC meeting on Wednesday. The bottom line is that... 24th October 2014 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Focus After the boom... The slowdown in Latin America over the past year is more likely to be the start of a new phase of weaker growth than a temporary blip. We expect regional GDP growth to remain stuck at 2-3% for the... 24th October 2014 · 1 min read
UK Economics Weekly Consumers to remain upbeat despite asset price falls On the face of it, the recent sharp fall in equity prices and slowdown in the housing market suggest that the significant improvement in consumer confidence seen over the last year might be reversed... 24th October 2014 · 1 min read
