Europe Economics Update Subsidence in the French construction sector Construction is set to remain one of the worst performing parts of the French economy. The sector’sproblems are symptomatic of the challenges facing the broader economy. 18th July 2014 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Egypt hikes interest rates as inflation looks set to rise sharply The Egyptian central bank’s surprise decision to hike interest rates today appears to have been in anticipation of a sharp rise in inflation over the coming months. This follows the government’s... 17th July 2014 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update Is China behind the decline in US Treasury yields? The rally in the US government bond market this year has coincided with a pick-up in China’s netpurchases of long-term Treasury securities, which some have attributed to intervention to weaken... 17th July 2014 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update South African tightening cycle to remain gradual Having raised interest rates by 25bp today on account of rising inflation, it is clear that the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) is in the midst of a gradual tightening cycle. Further rate hikes are... 17th July 2014 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response Housing Starts (Jun.) The sharp drop in housing starts in June suggests that the shortage of labour and lots is weighing on construction volumes. But the excess of household formation over homebuilding suggests that the... 17th July 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Fresh sanctions add headwinds to Russia’s growth outlook June’s activity data have dented hopes of a sustained recovery in the Russian economy. A meaningful turnaround will require a significant rise in investment. But the latest round of sanctions on... 17th July 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Economics Chart Pack Signs of stabilisation in the BRIC economies Growth in the emerging world’s largest economies, the BRICs, appears to have stabilised afterslowing at the start of the year. The official data from China show GDP growthedging up in Q2 on the back... 17th July 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Focus France to fall further behind Germany The recent underperformance of the French economy compared to Germany reflects fundamentalfactors that will drive an even greater wedge between the two economies over time. Thisdivergence will... 17th July 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Turkey cuts rates, but easing cycle looks unsustainable The Turkish central bank continued to loosen monetary conditions today and pressure from the government means that further rate cuts look likely over the coming months. However, given the backdrop of... 17th July 2014 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Monetary conditions still easy Although the first US and UK interest rate hikes are now in sight, a combination offactors, including asset purchases by the Fed and BoJ and further policy easing bythe ECB, has caused global bond... 17th July 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Senior Loan Officer Survey (Q2) The BoJ’s Senior Loan Officer Survey signals that loan demand slowed last quarter and is set to remain weak. Loan growth should therefore decelerate. 17th July 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update A positive outlook for Dublin retail property The latest data showing that Dublin’s employment and housing market recovery are running ahead of the rest of Ireland bode well for retail occupier demand in the Irish capital. And, with tight supply... 17th July 2014 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update Will EM assets shrug off tighter US monetary policy? Emerging market (EM) assets sold off sharply last year after the former Chairman of the US central bank hinted that unconventional policy stimulus was on borrowed time. But another rout is by no means... 17th July 2014 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Brazilian interest rates on hold until after elections Policymakers at the Brazilian central bank (BCB) left interest rates unchanged at 11.0% last night and we do not foresee any rate hikes until after October’s presidential election. But with high... 17th July 2014 · 1 min read
China Economics Update China set to take next step towards deposit rate liberalisation Policymakers appear poised to take a key step in the process of interest rate liberalisation, which is itself an important test of their ability and desire to push through difficult reforms. 17th July 2014 · 1 min read
