Global Economics Update Fiscal drag still easing in most advanced economies In yesterday’s Budget, the UK government pledged to press on with its austerity plan for at least five more years. But the UK is an exception. In most advanced economies the fiscal drag is easing and... 20th March 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update What does buoyant Hungarian sentiment imply for property? Buoyant economic sentiment in Hungary may overstate the underlying health of the domestic economy. We would not be surprised if sentiment and GDP growth cooled later this year. Nevertheless... 20th March 2014 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Common factors driving agricultural prices higher We think that the sharp rise in agricultural prices since the beginning of the year is likely to be a spike rather than the start of an upward trend. Indeed, the surge in prices is mainly due to a... 20th March 2014 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Fiscal squeeze will intensify despite Budget giveaway The meagre giveaway to consumers in yesterday’s Budget did little to change the reality that fiscal policy will impart a moderate squeeze on households’ incomes over the next few years. Indeed, the... 20th March 2014 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response Existing Home Sales (Feb.14) The slight decline in existing home sales in February was the sixth drop in seven months. However, sales of non-distressed existing homes are doing much better. 20th March 2014 · 1 min read
UK Commercial Property Update Is the South East office market overheating? It is tempting to view the recent spike in capital values in the South East office market as a sign of overheating. Yet the gains to date seem consistent with rapidly improving occupier market... 20th March 2014 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update US rate expectations have further to rise The adverse market reaction to the slightly more hawkish tone of comments from the Fed yesterday looks justified to us. Indeed, market expectations for US interest rates are likely to rise further... 20th March 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Focus Five reasons why Poland will shine Having emerged from the global financial crisis in surprisingly robust health, Poland’s economy slowed sharply in 2012-13. Nonetheless, growth has started to pick up more recently and, as we explain... 20th March 2014 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Currencies continue to tumble The Zambian kwacha has become the latest African currency to come under fire, and has this month slumped to an all-time low against the US$. This follows similar falls in the Ghanaian cedi and... 20th March 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update SNB's battle with deflation goes on The combination of a sluggish economic recovery, very low inflation and a still strong currency will keep the Swiss National Bank (SNB) in very accommodative mode for the foreseeable future. 20th March 2014 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Chart Pack Regional growth picking up Growth in the MENA region’s major economies appears to have accelerated in recent months. Our GDP tracker points towards a pick-up in growth in the Saudi economy at the start of the year, and timely... 20th March 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Has Australia already turned a corner? A recent collection of upbeat data has been taken by a number of commentators as a sign that Australia's economy has turned a corner. Most are expecting faster growth in 2014. But with the economy on... 20th March 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update New Zealand’s outlook still healthy, despite Q4 slowdown New Zealand’s economy slowed in Q4, largely owing to the fading impact of the recovery from a drought that hit the country in the first half of last year. Broader indicators suggest the economy is in... 20th March 2014 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update SNB’s battle with deflation goes on The combination of a sluggish economic recovery, very low inflation and a still strong currency will keep the Swiss National Bank (SNB) in very accommodative mode for the foreseeable future. 20th March 2014 · 1 min read
Capital Daily Are bond investors too complacent about the outlook for Fed policy? 19th March 2014 · 1 min read
