Latin America Economics Update Mexican GDP growth to accelerate despite disappointing Q1 Mexican GDP growth fell short of expectations in the first quarter, but the economy looks set to fare much better over the coming years as the government presses ahead with major investments and the... 23rd May 2014 · 1 min read
Canada Data Response Consumer Prices (Apr.) The expected increase in headline inflation, to 2.0% in April from 1.5% in March, mainly reflects higher energy price inflation which should prove to be temporary. In contrast, core inflation only... 23rd May 2014 · 1 min read
UK Commercial Property Update Are occupier conditions in the North catching up with the South? As the economic recovery broadens, we think that the commercial property market will follow suit. But while some indicators suggest that activity and confidence in the Midlands and the North are... 23rd May 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Focus Is “Abenomics” working? Japan’s economic recovery should be able to weather last month’s consumption tax hike, helped by improvements in investment and in net exports. But the bigger picture is that years of fiscal... 23rd May 2014 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Another leg down for currencies Most currencies in Africa have posted substantial losses against the US dollar over the past month, with the Ghanaian cedi and Zambian kwacha slumping to record lows. What’s more, there are a number... 23rd May 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response German Ifo Survey (May) & GDP Breakdown (Q1) The breakdown of German GDP for Q1 confirmed that the strong quarterly gain was partly down to temporary factors. And the renewed fall in the Ifo Business Climate Indicator in May suggested that the... 23rd May 2014 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Update Has the National Planning Policy Framework cut planning constraints? Alongside the rise in housing starts, the number of residential planning applications decided and the share approved have also edged up. That may partly be due to the introduction of a new planning... 23rd May 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Chart Pack Ukraine crisis pushes Russia towards recession The raft of Q1 GDP data released this month showed a growing divergence in the region. The crisis in Ukraine and threat of Western sanctions took a heavy toll on the Russian economy, which seems to be... 23rd May 2014 · 1 min read
Canada Chart Pack Job creation still lacking quality While the pace of Canadian job creation appears to have slowed somewhat, the corresponding deterioration in job quality is more perplexing. Lower-wage part-time employment appears to be taking the... 22nd May 2014 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update Investors rediscover their enthusiasm for EM assets April was the first month in over a year in which there were net inflows into global ETF and mutual funds that invest in emerging market (EM) assets. Investors’ growing enthusiasm for emerging market... 22nd May 2014 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Mixed picture for global manufacturing Preliminary business surveys published today confirm that economic activity is expanding rapidly in the US and that China’s manufacturing sector has stabilised. However, the industrial recovery in the... 22nd May 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Thai coup restores short-term stability at long-term cost Thailand’s coup should reduce uncertainty in the near term and so may well be welcomed by financial markets. But it brings lasting resolution of the political conflict no closer and further undermines... 22nd May 2014 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response Existing Home Sales (Apr.14) Existing home sales registered their first rise in four months in April. And to the extent that a lack of stock has been holding back activity rates in recent months, the further rise in the number of... 22nd May 2014 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Russia – China deal unlikely to boost European gas prices Proposed exports of Russian gas to China will have limited impact on the potential supply to the rest of Europe. Indeed, the price of LNG may actually be lower than otherwise as a result of the... 22nd May 2014 · 1 min read
Canada Data Response Retail Sales (Mar.) The unexpected decline in March's retail sales volumes, combined with the mixed showing in wholesale and manufacturing sales, suggests that the economy continued to struggle at the end of the first... 22nd May 2014 · 1 min read
