Asia Economics Update Rupee stability key to relaxation of India’s gold import curbs The rupee has come through the recent EM turbulence largely unscathed. But the authorities have hinted at the possibility of easing the gold import curbs that have reduced the trade deficit and... 11th February 2014 · 1 min read
UK Data Response BRC Retail Sales Monitor (Jan.) January’s BRC sales figures provided further evidence that 2014 got off to a good start for retailers. And, nothwithstanding the erratic nature of the monthly indicators, the outlook for the consumer... 11th February 2014 · 1 min read
UK Commercial Property Outlook The recovery will continue to accelerate The commercial property market is in something of a “sweet spot” at present, with improved investor confidence and low interest rates supportive of yield falls, and the growing economy likely to kick... 11th February 2014 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Inflation Monitor (Feb.) Chinese New Year usually delivers a spike in consumer price inflation. This year though, prices have remained unusually subdued. Inflation is unlikely to be of much concern to policymakers at least... 11th February 2014 · 1 min read
China Economics Update People’s Bank signals credit risks remain prime concern In the debate about whether to prioritise shoring up GDP growth or dealing with structural concerns, the latest monetary policy report from the People’s Bank suggests that it is firmly in the latter... 10th February 2014 · 1 min read
US Economics Update How will the Fed's forward guidance evolve? With the unemployment rate falling to 6.6% in January, putting it very close to the Fed's threshold level of 6.5%, new Chair Janet Yellen could use her congressional testimony this week to signal how... 10th February 2014 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Fall in equity prices not enough to dent global growth The drop in global equity prices since the beginning of the year should have little effect on growth. It reverses only part of the increase in prices over the past two years. Moreover, the steepest... 10th February 2014 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Weekly Improvement in export growth to be modest The breakdown of Canada's sluggish export performance reveals that some of the weakness in the second half of last year should prove temporary. The persistent weakness in some industries such as autos... 10th February 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Q4 GDP data likely to point to strengthening recovery The raft of Q4 GDP data for Central and South Eastern Europe due later this month is likely to show that large parts of the region are on the mend, with Poland now the region’s star performer. We will... 10th February 2014 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update BCRA can’t keep up intervention for long Despite the recent calm, the continued decline of Argentine foreign exchange reserves suggests that it is only a matter of time before the BCRA is forced to let the peso fall again. We continue to... 10th February 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Economics Focus Will the BRICs embrace economic reforms? The recent slowdown in the major BRIC economies has been driven largely by structural factors, meaning that a new wave of reforms is needed if they are to regain their vigour. But, as things stand... 10th February 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Slide in Norwegian krone may not be over yet Although the Norwegian krone will fare better in 2014 than it did last year, the currency may well depreciate a little further. 10th February 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Rajan is laying foundations for long-term growth in India After five months in office, nobody would accuse Raghuram Rajan of keeping a low profile. Rarely has a central bank governor been such a regular fixture in local papers. The global media is also... 10th February 2014 · 1 min read
China Economics Focus How significant are China’s Third Plenum reforms? China's leaders unveiled a detailed and comprehensive plan to reform the economy at the end of last year. The early signs on implementation are encouraging. As a result, we think 2014 will be a... 10th February 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Current Account (Dec), Consumer Confidence & Economy Watchers Survey (Jan) The current account deficit reached a record high in December, but should narrow once domestic demand slows after the upcoming consumption tax. Indeed, today's sentiment surveys point to weakening... 10th February 2014 · 1 min read
