Global Economics Update Can US and euro-zone inflation really diverge? It would be unusual for inflation pressures to be building in some advanced economies and falling in others. Nonetheless, this is exactly what we expect to happen in the next year or two, as US... 13th October 2014 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Glut of grain and soybeans to push prices lower The outlook for global grain and soybean production received another boost late last week as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) further increased its estimates for the 2014/15 harvest... 13th October 2014 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Will the euro-zone drag the UK into the doldrums? Concerns that the euro-zone’s faltering recovery will drag the UK’s own into the doldrums appear somewhat overblown. Past experience shows that the UK economy has been able to outperform the euro-zone... 13th October 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economic Outlook Stalled recovery adds to pressure on policymakers The European economic recovery has weakened, with the euro-zone now at risk of recession and countries outside the region feeling the effects on their exports. While the euro-zone’s peripheral... 13th October 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Dramatic fall in Indian inflation boosts calls for rate cuts Indian consumer price inflation fell to its slowest pace on record in September. With the latest data also pointing to continued weakness in the industrial sector, we remain of the view that interest... 13th October 2014 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update How useful are the global PMIs? Although they have their drawbacks, business surveys – such as those published by Markit – are the most reliable guide to the state of global economic activity. The fact that they continue to point to... 13th October 2014 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Kenya’s GDP growth accelerated in Q2, but risks building Kenya’s GDP growth accelerated in Q2 and this strength appears to have continued in Q3. But rising political risks and the prospect of tighter monetary policy are likely to prevent the economy from... 13th October 2014 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Lower commodity prices and what they mean for Lat Am Fresh falls in global commodity prices in recent weeks have stoked concerns about how Latin America will fare as the tailwinds from the global commodities boom fade. The short point is that regional... 13th October 2014 · 1 min read
China Economics Update “Occupy Central” not the only headwind to Hong Kong’s economy The demonstrations in Hong Kong are taking their toll on the economy, with the retail sector so far bearing the brunt. But even if the protests die down, the ongoing corruption crackdown in China and... 13th October 2014 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Underlying inflation pressures building in parts of the Gulf In aggregate, inflation in the Gulf countries has remained stable over the past few months, helped by easing food inflation. But there are signs that core price pressures are starting to build... 13th October 2014 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Chinese domestic demand remains weak The recovery in China’s commodity imports last month was mainly driven by an increase in processing and re-exports, rather than stronger domestic demand. Indeed, the weakness in China’s property... 13th October 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update Inflation still likely to moderate despite recent yen weakness The impact of the recent weakening of the yen on consumer prices will be dampened by lower crude oil prices. The upshot is that CPI inflation is still likely to moderate towards year-end rather than... 13th October 2014 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update Is this the beginning of a bear market in US equities? The decline of more than 5% in the S&P 500 since its mid-September high is unlikely to mark the beginning of a bear market. This is because bear markets typically only occur in, and around, recessions... 13th October 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Russian lending slows but no sign of credit crunch… yet Lending conditions in Russia have tightened in recent months, but there is no sign yet that Western sanctions have led to a sharp drop in bank lending to the wider economy or a credit crunch on the... 13th October 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Malaysia's budget keeps it on fiscal consolidation path Malaysia's 2015 budget contained no major surprises and marked another step towards fiscal consolidation following fuel subsidy cuts earlier in the month. While the net impact of the Goods and... 13th October 2014 · 1 min read
