Emerging Europe Economics Update Czech National Bank extends FX intervention pledge The Czech MPC struck an even more dovish note at today’s post-meeting press conference. Policymakersextended their pledge to intervene in the FX market to prevent the koruna from appreciating beyond... 31st July 2014 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Shanghai equities on a tear Equities in China have soared in recent days as sentiment about the economy’s prospects has warmed. But we don’t expect the rally to be sustained. 31st July 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Further tightening likely in the Philippines The central bank in the Philippines (BSP) hiked its main policy rate earlier today for the first time in over three years in a further attempt to reduce risks in the financial sector and clamp down on... 31st July 2014 · 1 min read
Africa Chart Pack Tightening cycles have further to run The tightening cycles that began in Ghana and South Africa earlier this year continued in July and, in both cases, we think that further interest rate hikes are likely before the end of 2014. Ghana’s... 31st July 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Flash CPI (Jul.) & Unemployment (Jun.) July’s flash euro-zone consumer prices data underlined the continued weaknessof price pressures in the currency union and supported our view that the ECB hasmore work to do to tackle the risk of... 31st July 2014 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economic Outlook North Africa getting back on its feet Three years on from the “Arab Spring” uprisings, the tide is turning in favour of the economies of North Africa. Admittedly, there are still many challenges, not least reining in large twin current... 31st July 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Indonesia's financial markets recover on the back of election results Most of the region's currencies and equity markets fared well over the past month. In particular, Joko Widodo's presidential election victory in July helped Indonesia's financial markets stage a... 31st July 2014 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response Nationwide House Prices (Jul.) House price growth eased in July according to the Nationwide, with a rise of just 0.1% m/m – the slowest since April last year. A slowdown in growth was expected, given the drop in sales seen in... 31st July 2014 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Argentine default likely to remain a (difficult) local issue Confirmation that Argentina has officially fallen into default after failing to agree a deal with holdout creditors is likely to rattle local markets and has the potential to do significant damage to... 31st July 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Labour Cash Earnings (June) While headline wage growth disappointed last month, the rise in base pay is reassuring. 31st July 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Growth in Taiwan to remain healthy Taiwan’s economy continued to gain momentum last quarter, largely owing to a rebound in investment. Over the next year or so, we expect Taiwan’s economy to continue to record decent growth, supported... 31st July 2014 · 1 min read
US Economics Update Fed continues with gradual QE tapering The Fed's policy announcement was largely as expected, with the monthly asset purchases reduced by an additional $10bn, to $25bn per month. But subtle changes to the statement and Philadelphia Fed... 30th July 2014 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Update To what extent is the MMR responsible for the dip in mortgage lending? Housing market activity was already slowing prior to the introduction of the MMR. However evidence from the buy-to-let market suggests that the disruption to banks’ lending process turned an expected... 30th July 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Chart Pack Property price worries prompt rate hikes The central banks of New Zealand, the Philippines and Malaysia all tightened monetary policy last month amid signs that policymakers are becoming increasingly concerned that loose monetary policy is... 30th July 2014 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Weak Chile activity data point to further interest rate cuts Chile’s activity data for June point to GDP growth of just 2.3% y/y in Q2, an outturn that would mark the third consecutive quarter of sub-3% growth. With the economic outlook unlikely to improve in... 30th July 2014 · 1 min read