Commodities Update Thai rice prices likely to come off the boil The rebound in the price of Thai rice over the last few months has been driven by the suspension ofgovernment sales and reinforced by the recent stock write-offs. However, Thailand’s rice stocks... 2nd September 2014 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response CoreLogic House Prices (Jul.) Having all-but stalled during the previous three months, the CoreLogic measure of house prices posted a decent gain in July. But this is probably no more than a temporary reprieve, and we expect house... 2nd September 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Swiss GDP (Q2) Switzerland’s economy unexpectedly stagnated in Q2, suggesting that it is feeling theeffects of weakness in the euro-zone, its major trading partner. 2nd September 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Fiscal Monitor (Aug.) Fiscal positions strengthened across most of the peripheral economies in July, although we havegrowing concerns about Portugal’s ability to meet its target for this year. (Chart 1). 2nd September 2014 · 1 min read
UK Commercial Property Data Response Construction PMI (Aug.) and Mergers & Acquisitions (Q2) Today’s construction PMI highlighted strong developer confidence about the prospects for commercial property occupier demand. Granted, the latest mergers and acquisitions (M&A) figures struck a more... 2nd September 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Australian rates to stay low for longer than generally thought The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) kept its policy rate on hold at 2.5% at its meeting today, as widely expected. With recent data weak, most analysts have reined in their expectations for policy... 2nd September 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Labour Cash Earnings (July) Wage growth surged in July, but is set to slow in coming months as the summer bonus season ends. 2nd September 2014 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Data Response Swiss GDP (Q2 14) Switzerland’s economy unexpectedly stagnated in Q2, suggesting that it is feeling the effects of weakness in the euro-zone, its major trading partner. 2nd September 2014 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Egypt: interest rates on hold, further tightening unlikely The Egyptian central bank’s decision to keep interest rates on hold today appears to confirm that July’s rate hike was a one-off in response to higher inflation following the government’s recent... 1st September 2014 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Brazil manufacturing may stagnate in Q3, but no rapid rebound August’s manufacturing PMI suggests that while conditions in Brazilian industry may have stopped getting worse, there is little evidence to suggest that manufacturers will lead a rapid rebound from... 1st September 2014 · 1 min read
UK Data Response CIPS/Markit Report on Manufacturing (Aug.) The latest CIPS manufacturing survey provided another sign that the sector’s recovery is struggling to maintain its momentum in the third quarter. However, it still looks on track to enjoy a solid... 1st September 2014 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Household Borrowing Monitor (Aug.) July’s household borrowing figures provided further signs that the consumer recoveryhas not been driven by an unsustainable credit binge. Meanwhile, mortgage lendinglooks set to recover gradually as... 1st September 2014 · 1 min read
Commodities Chart Pack Oil prices fall out of their comfort zone Many commodity prices, with the exception of oil, were rangebound in Augustas optimism about the US economy was countered by renewed concerns aboutChina and Ukraine. Meanwhile, the strength of the US... 1st September 2014 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Monetary Indicators Monitor (Aug.) Continued moderate growth in broad money and bank lending indicates that there is still no pressingneed for the Monetary Policy Committee to raise interest rates quickly over the next year or so. 1st September 2014 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update South African PMI picks up but manufacturing still weak The rise in South Africa’s manufacturing PMI in August suggests that the recent downturn in the sector is beginning to ease as wide-scale strike action earlier this year has wound down. But while this... 1st September 2014 · 1 min read
