Japan Economics Update For how much longer can the BoJ buy government bonds? While the share of government bonds held by the BoJ has risen sharply since the start of QQE, there are no compelling reasons why the central bank's holdings can’t increase much further. 22nd May 2014 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Argentine peso could weaken to 10/$ by year-end The recent depreciation of the Argentine peso may be small, but it could be significant in marking thestart of another prolonged decline. With rampant inflation eroding the economy’s... 21st May 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Impact of currency weakness on inflation has been muted The sharp fall in many emerging market (EM) currencies over the past year has not led to the big EM-wide inflation shock that some were predicting. Looking ahead, we expect inflation across the... 21st May 2014 · 1 min read
China Chart Pack NPL ratio remains low but is set to climb Rising non-performing loans (NPLs) at Chinese banks have been making headlines recently. So far the increase has not been much to get excited about. Official data suggest the NPL ratio has barely... 21st May 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Gazprom’s China deal not a game changer for Russia’s economy The benefits to the Russian economy from the $400bn deal signed earlier today between Russia and China are likely to be smaller than most seem to think. Instead, the importance of the deal is largely... 21st May 2014 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Chart Pack Growth in the Gulf diverges It looks like economic growth accelerated further in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar over the first few months of the year. In Saudi Arabia, this was supported by a rebound in the oil sector, while... 21st May 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Will India’s central bank stand in the way of a stronger rupee? With India’s economy set to benefit from the stability provided by the first single-party majority government since the 1980s, an influx of foreign investment should push the rupee higher against the... 21st May 2014 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Coffee prices set to cool The price of Arabica coffee has soared this year as the market looks likely to fall into deficit after four years of excess production. However, stocks are high and there is a huge risk premium in... 21st May 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Is Thailand’s crisis any nearer to being resolved? Contrary to some of the initial commentary, we are not convinced that the military’s imposition of martial law has brought resolution of Thailand’s political crisis any closer. There are a number of... 21st May 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Sedlabanki on hold, but rates to rise later this year Iceland’s central bank kept interest rates unchanged at 6% at its meeting today, despite raising its medium-term forecasts for GDP growth. We continue to think that the Sedlabanki will have to raise... 21st May 2014 · 1 min read
China Activity Monitor Property downturn yet to lead to broader weakness Our China Activity Proxy (CAP) suggests that, although heavy industry and real estate are showing signs of weakness, broader economic activity is holding up relatively well. 21st May 2014 · 1 min read
UK Data Response MPC Minutes (May) & Retail Sales (Apr.) While the minutes of May’s MPC meeting suggested that one or two members may vote to raise interest rates soon, most seem content to leave policy on hold for a good deal longer. Meanwhile, April’s... 21st May 2014 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Update Do revisions to the National Accounts alter the housing market picture? This September, changes to how pensions are measured in the National Accounts will trigger a large upwards revision to the household saving ratio. But while that will make the long-term financial... 21st May 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update EP elections to show rising reform fatigue Euro-sceptic parties are set to perform strongly at elections for the European Parliament. Although the result may have little impact on the institution itself, it risks undermining national... 21st May 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update July easing seems to be off the table The optimistic tone of recent BoJ communication suggests that the chances of additional stimulus being announced as soon as July, as many had expected, have shrunk substantially. We however continue... 21st May 2014 · 1 min read
