Latin America Economics Update Markets steady after January rout Latin America’s financial markets stabilised in March after a woeful start to the year. In most countries, currencies and equity markets made modest gains. Colombia’s financial markets performed... 27th March 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Low inflation to keep Czech monetary policy loose The weakness of Czech inflation prompted the National Bank’s MPC to strike a slightly more dovish tone at this afternoon’s post-meeting press conference. The strengthening economic recovery means... 27th March 2014 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update SARB pauses for breath Following its surprise hike in January, the recent rally in the rand enabled the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) to keep interest rates on hold today. But the bigger picture is that, with South... 27th March 2014 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack Consumers have a spring in their step The recovery in consumer spending has shown no signs of slowing this year, with indicators suggesting that both retail and consumer services spending have grown strongly. Admittedly, households have... 27th March 2014 · 1 min read
US Employment Report Preview Weather effects starting to reverse The weather didn't quite return to seasonal norms in March, but it was nowhere near as bad as it was between December and February. We have pencilled in a gain of 200,000 in payroll employment in... 27th March 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Monetary Indicators Monitor (Feb.) February’s weak euro-zone monetary data will add to pressure on the ECB to ease monetary policy further in the coming months. 27th March 2014 · 1 min read
Global Markets Focus Stock market implications of Corporate America's internationalisation The reach of Corporate America has become increasingly global. One important consequence has been a secular rise in profitability, not only at US multinational companies (MNCs) which dominate the... 27th March 2014 · 1 min read
Energy Watch Price of coal to drift gradually lower It is often taken as given that demand for coal will continue to rise inexorably as developing countries use it to power their growing economies. However, coal’s poor environmental credentials are... 27th March 2014 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Focus Is it time to sound the all-clear on the UAE’s banks? Five years on from Dubai’s debt crisis, the UAE’s banking sector appears to be returning to health, which should open the way for an improvement in credit growth. However, the large overhang of debt... 27th March 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Norwegian interest rates may be on hold until 2016 Although the Norges Bank left its monetary policy stance unchanged today, the Bank may yet need to push back its first projected interest rate hike from mid-2015 to 2016. 27th March 2014 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Retail Sales (Feb 14.) February’s surge in retail sales confirmed that consumers are still loosening their purse strings and provided some reassurance that the economic recovery has not lost pace in the first quarter. 27th March 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update IMF deal brings Ukraine back from the brink This morning’s announcement by the IMF that it has reached a staff level agreement to provide financial support to Ukraine of $14-18bn reduces the risk of a balance of payments crisis and a default on... 27th March 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update The Philippines holds policy rate, but first hike not far off Although the central bank in the Philippines (BSP) opted to keep the overnight rate on hold at a record low of just 3.5% at its meeting today, it hiked its reserve requirement ratio by 1pp, suggesting... 27th March 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Taiwan's central bank under little pressure to hike rates Taiwan’s central bank (CBC) left interest rates on hold today, as was widely expected. The economy is performing better, but with inflation set to remain subdued we expect the CBC to keep interest... 27th March 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Activity Monitor BRIC economies continue to underperform Growth across the emerging world appears to have remained unchanged at around 4.5% y/y at the start of this year. The recovery in Emerging Europe has faltered, but this was largely due to the weakness... 27th March 2014 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Online spending giving hidden boost to retail sales By omitting rapidly-growing online sales, China’s retail sales data may be exaggerating how much spending has slowed in recent years. 27th March 2014 · 1 min read
