Commodities Update China's imports likely to slow again in coming months China’s commodity imports were much stronger than expected in year-on-year terms in February. But we suspect that much of this is due to a combination of financing deals and opportunistic buying... 10th March 2014 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Pick-up in Saudi economy driven by the oil sector Our GDP Tracker suggests that growth in the Saudi Arabian economy picked up at the start of this year. But the rebound has been driven by the oil sector, while the non-oil sector continues to struggle... 10th March 2014 · 1 min read
China Data Response Bank Lending & Broad Credit (Feb.) Despite looser monetary conditions in China and concerns that the government is adopting a more “pro-growth” stance, today’s data show that credit has continued to slow. 10th March 2014 · 1 min read
UK Commercial Property Update Has London property lost its appeal? London’s share of commercial property transactions slumped to a four-year low in Q4 last year. But rather than a sign of problems in the London market, which in fact remains buoyant, the data serve to... 10th March 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Economy Watchers Survey (Feb) The plunge in the outlook component of the Economy Watchers Survey in February points to a sharp deterioration in demand in coming months. 10th March 2014 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Headline shrink in exports is misleading Yesterday's inflation data point to subdued price pressures. Meanwhile, despite the seasonal volatility in the latest trade data, foreign demand and exports remain healthy. 10th March 2014 · 1 min read
Bank of Japan Watch Little urgency for additional monetary stimulus The Bank of Japan will almost certainly maintain its current policy settings at the conclusion of the two-day March Board meeting tomorrow (Tuesday 11 th). It will be interesting to see whether... 10th March 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response GDP (Q4 Revised) & Current Account (Jan) Despite a small downward revision in the second estimate, last quarter's GDP figures were still not as bad as the headlines imply. 10th March 2014 · 1 min read
Capital Daily US Employment Report should ensure more Fed tapering in March 10th March 2014 · 1 min read
US Economics Weekly ACA makes consumption look healthier The Affordable Care Act, or “Obamacare”, remains a contentious piece of legislation, but the fact of the matter is that it boosted real consumption growth in January and will probably support it in... 10th March 2014 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Weekly Bank of Canada takes more hawkish line The recent rise in inflation prompted the Bank of Canada to take a slightly more hawkish stance in its policy statement last week. At 1.5% in January, inflation is still well below the mid-point of... 10th March 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Slack & euro could yet force the ECB's hand While last week’s decision by the ECB to leave policy on hold may be a signal that the euro-zone’s long monetary policy loosening cycle is finally over, the combination of the greater emphasis on the... 10th March 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Weekly How vulnerable is Japan to geopolitical risks? Events in Ukraine and elsewhere in the emerging world have brought into focus Japan’s exposure to geopolitical risks due to its reliance on imported energy and the yen’s safe-haven role. Barring some... 10th March 2014 · 1 min read
UK Economics Weekly Will the housing market force the MPC to act? Last week’s news that house prices surged in February will have done little to dispel concerns that record low interest rates are contributing to the emergence of a renewed house price bubble... 10th March 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Rate hikes coming in New Zealand With New Zealand’s economic recovery gaining momentum, inflation rising and house prices booming, the country’s central bank looks set to hike interest rates on Wednesday for the first time in nearly... 10th March 2014 · 1 min read
Global Economics Focus What the crisis in Ukraine could mean for the rest of the world The crisis in Ukraine still has the potential to have a significant and prolonged impact on the global economy and financial markets, even though our current judgement is that the fallout is likely to... 7th March 2014 · 1 min read
