Asia Economics Update India's economy devoid of momentum as Modi takes charge Today’s GDP data confirm that India’s economic growth was very subdued at the start of the year. There will be a temptation to see this as essentially old news given how much the landscape has changed... 30th May 2014 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Renminbi stabilises in May The renminbi appears to have stabilised in May as market participants have pared back expectations for the currency’s appreciation. Meanwhile, weaker demand for interbank funds, along with liquidity... 30th May 2014 · 1 min read
UK Commercial Property Update IPF Consensus Forecasts (Q2) The latest IPF Consensus survey envisages that commercial property rents and capital values will grow steadily over the next two to three years. But some forecasters seem to be growing more concerned... 30th May 2014 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Gold retains core appeal despite latest price dip The recent decline in the price of gold can largely be explained by a reduction in safe-haven demand, as concerns over the wider fallout from the crisis in Ukraine have eased and global equities have... 30th May 2014 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response Land Registry Repeat Sales Index (Apr.) The Land Registry figures show that prices in London continue to boom, with prices up £17,645 during April alone. While the Help to Buy mortgage guarantee scheme is not directly responsible for the... 30th May 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Domestic demand supporting Polish recovery The breakdown of Polish Q1 GDP data showed that the drivers of the recovery are broadening from exports to domestic demand. And it looks like the economy strengthened further at the start of the... 30th May 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Swedish GDP (Q1) Q1’s small fall in Swedish GDP was little surprise after its sharp rise in Q4. But while the economy’s underlying growth is decent, the Riksbank might yet ease policy again in order to ward of... 30th May 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update A slowdown in Turkish spending should keep a lid on retail rents Recent data suggest that the Turkish economy is in good health, and beginning to show signs of a welcome rebalancing. However, as a consequence, retail sales are starting to suffer from measures to... 30th May 2014 · 1 min read
UK Data Response GfK/NOP Consumer Confidence (May) The further improvement in GfK’s consumer confidence report in May suggests that the recovery in household spending could gather even more pace soon. 30th May 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Consumer Prices (national: Apr.; Tokyo: May), Unemployment & Industrial Production (Apr.) Neither the surge in inflation nor the slowdown in industrial production in April came as a surprise, and firms expect output to stabilise in coming months while inflation should moderate. 30th May 2014 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Data Response Swedish GDP (Q1 14) Q1’s small fall in Swedish GDP was little surprise after its sharp rise in Q4. But while the economy’s underlying growth is decent, the Riksbank might yet ease policy again in order to ward of... 30th May 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Chart Pack Political risk back on the agenda Political developments have once again taken centre stage over the past month. Most attention has focused on Thailand, where the army has staged a military coup. This may help to reduce uncertainty in... 29th May 2014 · 1 min read
ECB Watch Rate cut and lending incentives unlikely to be enough A small cut in the ECB’s main refinancing rate seems like a done deal this month and is likely to be accompanied by a reduction in the deposit rate to below zero. The Bank also seems set to offer more... 29th May 2014 · 1 min read
Africa Chart Pack Ghana and Zambia still in the firing line In line with the general rally in EM financial markets over the past couple of months, the South African rand has posted significant gains against the US$ of late. But the rally has not spread to a... 29th May 2014 · 1 min read
UK Economic Outlook Recovery built on solid foundations Although the revival in housing market activity may lose some pace as a result of new regulations and rising mortgage rates, we doubt that this will derail the recovery in consumer spending. 29th May 2014 · 1 min read
