Japan Economics Weekly Can robots help offset adverse demographics? With the working-age population projected to shrink by almost a third by 2050, it has been suggested that robots could be part of the solution to Japan’s demographic challenges and help boost... 21st April 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Negative rates are no silver bullet on their own A negative interest rate on banks' excess reserves at the ECB might have some effect on banks' behaviour and at least prove that the ECB is prepared to follow its dovish words with action. But it must... 21st April 2014 · 1 min read
Canada Data Response Consumer Price Index (Mar.) While headline inflation rebounded to 1.5% in March, from 1.1%, the uptick was due to higher energy prices and base year effects. In contrast, core inflation climbed only slightly to 1.3% last month... 17th April 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Russia’s economy appears to have contracted in Q1 March’s activity data show that although the crisis in Ukraine and the first round of Western sanctions have not caused Russia’s economy to collapse, annual growth has still slowed substantially and... 17th April 2014 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update Is there a bubble in technology stocks? One reason for the sell-off in the US stock market in the first half of this month appears to have been concern that valuations in the technology sector are stretched. But there is little evidence to... 17th April 2014 · 1 min read
China Economics Update A broad RRR cut is unlikely to come soon Yesterday’s targeted cut in the reserve requirement ratio should not be read as a signal of a broader shift towards monetary loosening. The last thing that policymakers want to see is another credit... 17th April 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Economics Chart Pack Ukraine crisis having limited impact on EMs The crisis in Ukraine has so far had only a small impact on most emerging markets. Although EM equities have fallen in recent days as the crisis has intensified, they have still risen over the past... 17th April 2014 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Update Are longer mortgage terms supporting higher house prices? In 2012, almost 30% of new mortgages were advanced with a term of 30 years or longer. By lowering monthly payments, that will have allowed lenders to increase loan-to-income ratios, which can then... 17th April 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update Poor consumer sentiment adds to PM Abe’s challenges The collapse in consumer confidence shows that Japanese households lost their enthusiasm for “Abenomics” well before investor appetite for Japanese equities began to wane. 17th April 2014 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Markets regain some composure after Q1 rout Following a woeful Q1, financial markets in Africa have stabilised in the early part of Q2. In most countries, bond yields have edged down and currencies have made modest gains. Nevertheless, there... 17th April 2014 · 1 min read
UK Commercial Property Update The shopping centre outlook is improving Given the overhangs of empty space, we don’t think shopping centre rents are about to surge. But occupier market conditions are nevertheless improving and investor demand for shopping centres has... 17th April 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Economics Update Emerging Market Consumer Snapshot (Q2 2014) There are signs that the decline in EM consumer spending growth experienced in 2013 has bottomed out in recent months, with several economies reporting stronger retail sales figures since the turn of... 16th April 2014 · 1 min read
UK Markets Chart Pack Gilt yields defy strong economic news Despite further signs that the UK’s economic recovery has remained strong, gilt yields have continued to fall over the last month. Indeed, the 10-year gilt yield recently touched a six-month low... 16th April 2014 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Update Bank of Canada retains neutral bias The Bank of Canada retained its neutral rate bias in its latest policy statement and emphasised that, despite the lower Canadian dollar, core inflation will still take about two years to return to... 16th April 2014 · 1 min read
