China Data Response Industrial output, fixed investment and retail sales (May.) Today's output and spending data from China suggest that policymakers are being reasonably successful so far at fine-tuning policy in order to stabilise growth. We suspect that downward pressures from... 13th June 2014 · 1 min read
Global Inflation Watch Threat of deflation lingering in euro-zone Inflation is likely to remain very low in most advanced economies during the coming year or two, despite a gradual acceleration of economic growth and continued ultra-loose monetary policy. The one... 12th June 2014 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Iraq now even less likely to reach oil production goals The capture of a number of Iraqi cities by insurgents over the last few days has served to highlight the difficulty Iraq will have in meeting its lofty aims for oil output. However, the impact on... 12th June 2014 · 1 min read
Canada Data Response Teranet-National Bank House Prices (May) The latest Teranet house price data provide some early evidence that the slowdown in house price inflation continued in May. The past decline in existing home sales and the steady rise in the number... 12th June 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Finland struggling to re-orientate its economy Finland has gone from being one of the euro-zone’s strongest performers pre-crisis to one of the worst, following the demise of its key industries. Reforms to boost growth will take time and effort... 12th June 2014 · 1 min read
US Data Response Retail Sales (May) Since the weak increase in retail sales in May is at odds with rising employment, easier access to credit and increasing household wealth, it probably won’t be long before sales start to rise more... 12th June 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Indian industry moving tentatively in the right direction Today’s figures on Indian industry were the most positive in many months. These data are volatile though and don’t yet provide convincing evidence that the sector has finally turned a corner... 12th June 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Yield compression to boost Paris industrial property values Paris industrial occupier conditions continue to be challenging. Yet the increasing need for modern stock could still drive rental growth. And, with increased investor appetite for logistics exposure... 12th June 2014 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update First thoughts on the impact of the crisis in Iraq The unfolding crisis in Iraq, including the capture of key cities by insurgents, will heighten fears that the country is sliding into civil war. While we suspect that the economic impact of the crisis... 12th June 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Industrial Production (Apr.) April’s rise in euro-zone industrial production suggests that industry is strengthening after a weak start to the year. But the recovery remains weak by historical standards. 12th June 2014 · 1 min read
China Data Response Bank Lending & Broad Credit (May) Policymakers’ efforts to channel bank lending to chosen parts of the economy are helping to support loan growth, even as controls on shadow banking continue to bite. Although this has helped to... 12th June 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Pakistan’s security concerns not the only constraint on growth Although recent political violence in Pakistan has once again put the country’s poor security situation under the spotlight, it is far from the only problem the country faces. We expect growth in... 12th June 2014 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response RICS Residential Market Survey (May 14) The RICS survey provides further evidence that the surge in housing demand seen over the past year is losing momentum. But the housing market is not grinding to a halt, and the FPC will be mindful... 12th June 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Low inflation and strong won to keep Korean rates on hold The Bank of Korea (BoK) kept interest rates on hold today, as was expected given the reasonable economic outlook and subdued inflation. We think rates will be kept on hold for a while yet, with the... 12th June 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update More rate hikes to come in New Zealand The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) raised its policy rate by 25bp for the third straight meeting today, as it continued the process of returning rates to more normal levels. We doubt that a... 12th June 2014 · 1 min read
