China Economics Update Fiscal drag to add to growth concerns Next month’s budget is likely to be neutral for growth. But on a broader definition that accounts for off-budget activity, the fiscal stance this year will probably be a major drag on the economy. 20th February 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Singapore's export outlook is upbeat, but it faces domestic drags Today’s GDP data showed that Singapore's economy ended 2013 on a strong note. Recovery in advanced economies should support growth this year, even as domestic factors act as drags. Given the healthy... 20th February 2014 · 1 min read
China Data Response HSBC/Markit Flash Manufacturing PMI (Feb.) Despite uncertainty surrounding the seasonal impact of Chinese New Year, today's downbeat PMI suggests that conditions in the manufacturing sector continue to deteriorate. With no loosening of... 20th February 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response External trade (Jan 14) January’s trade data indicate that the drag on Japan’s economy from net exports persisted at the start of the new year. With domestic demand surging ahead of the consumption tax hike, the monthly... 20th February 2014 · 1 min read
US Data Response Consumer Prices (Jan. 14) It’s possible that the unusually bad weather is masking a strengthening in underlying consumer price pressure that will only become clear in a few months’ time. Despite the fall to 1.6% in January... 20th February 2014 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Manufacturing surveys point to slower growth, US excepted Preliminary business surveys for February indicate that manufacturing activity slowed further in China and that the recovery in the euro-zone has faltered. But the news from the US is more reassuring. 20th February 2014 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Does the world need more policy coordination? This weekend’s G20 meeting may well see calls for US policy-makers in particular to take more account of the global fallout from their actions, but we expect such demands to continue to fall on deaf... 20th February 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Russia’s economy still stagnating Russia’s economy slowed further at the start of this year, with output now doing little more than stagnating in year-on-year terms. Nonetheless, the sharp drop in the ruble over the past few weeks has... 19th February 2014 · 1 min read
US Data Response Producer Prices (Jan.) The revamp of the producer prices data has made the release much more comprehensive, but it hasn’t changed the bigger picture. There is not much sign of any near-term inflationary pressure. 19th February 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Dutch recovery on track, but pace will slow The Netherlands was the fastest growing euro-zone economy in Q4. But while the country is on the road to recovery, growth will slow in the coming quarters. 19th February 2014 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update Outlook for US equities is brighter than for bonds We think US equities are set to fare better than bonds in the coming years. The outperformance is likely to be less than the historical average. But we still think it could be quite substantial. 19th February 2014 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response Housing Starts (Jan. 14) The sharp fall in housing starts in January looks like further payback following November’s surge, combined with weather-related disruption. So while 2014 has got off to an unpromising beginning, we... 19th February 2014 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Chart Pack Morocco and Tunisia yet to benefit from euro-zone recovery In spite of their strong trade and financial ties to the euro-zone, Morocco and Tunisia have, so far at least, seen little benefit from the recovery there. Admittedly, inflows of foreign direct... 19th February 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Economics Focus Which EMs are succeeding with the reform challenge? In contrast to the BRICs, where economic growth is likely to disappoint without structural reform, there are parts of the emerging world where recent economic reforms should provide a major boost to... 19th February 2014 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Labour Data (Dec./Jan.) & MPC Minutes (Feb.) The latest labour market data showed that there is still plenty of spare capacity in the job market. Since the minutes of February’s MPC meeting confirmed that the Committee is committed to... 19th February 2014 · 1 min read
