Global Economics Update Global industry now in recession? May’s drop in the global manufacturing PMI to below the “no change” level of 50 suggests that the industrial downturn has further to run, with the once resilient US economy succumbing to the malaise. 3rd June 2019 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Update Multifamily starts set to ease as demand weakens The number of apartments completed for the rental sector has reached its highest level since records began 20-years ago. But absorption rates are low, and a slowing economy means household formation... 3rd June 2019 · 1 min read
US Data Response ISM Manufacturing Index (May) The decline in the ISM manufacturing index to a 31-month low of 52.1 in May, from 52.8, illustrates that the factory sector is continuing to struggle in the face of weak global demand. It leaves the... 3rd June 2019 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Economics Update US tariffs on Mexico and the implications for EMs US tariffs on imports from Mexico would have major repercussions for Mexico’s economy, but any spillovers on other EMs through trade links are likely to be small. For the rest of the emerging world... 3rd June 2019 · 1 min read
Commodities Update China’s commodities demand looks weak Subdued survey data suggest that China’s economy is likely to soften this quarter, which underpins our generally bearish view on industrial commodities prices in the coming months. 3rd June 2019 · 1 min read
Africa Data Response South Africa Manufacturing PMI (May) South Africa’s manufacturing PMI dropped back to 45.4 in May, dampening hopes of a recovery after a weak Q1. The fall in the prices sub-component supports our view that the South African Reserve Bank... 3rd June 2019 · 1 min read
UK Data Response IHS Markit/CIPS Manufacturing PMI (May) The sharper-than-expected drop in the manufacturing PMI from 53.1 to 49.4 means that the index is now at its lowest level since directly after the referendum in July 2016, and suggests that the sector... 3rd June 2019 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Data Response Swiss CPI & Manufacturing PMIs (May) The morning’s release of inflation and PMI data from Switzerland for May showed that price pressures remain almost entirely absent and that the industrial sector remains in the shadow of the euro-zone... 3rd June 2019 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Data Response Manufacturing PMIs (May) May’s manufacturing PMI data supports our view that growth in Central Europe will slow over the rest of this year. The recent tightening of financial conditions in Turkey appears to be weighing more... 3rd June 2019 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Data Response Turkey Consumer Prices (May) The weaker-than-expected Turkish inflation figures for May, combined with the recent rally in the lira, means that the MPC will continue to shift away from its hawkish stance at this month’s policy... 3rd June 2019 · 1 min read
India Data Response Manufacturing PMI (May) The rise in India’s manufacturing PMI reading in May should help to ease some concerns over the state of local manufacturing following the weakness of the GDP data for Q1. Nevertheless, additional... 3rd June 2019 · 1 min read
China Data Response Caixin Manufacturing PMI (May) The continued weakness in China’s activity surveys reinforces our view that economic growth is likely to soften this quarter and increases the likelihood of additional policy easing in the coming... 3rd June 2019 · 1 min read
Australia & New Zealand Data Response CoreLogic House Prices (May) We expect the pace of house price declines to gradually ease this year with house prices reaching a trough by the end of the year. We suspect house prices may start to rise again thereafter, by 3% in... 3rd June 2019 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Weekly Brazil’s investment slump, rate cuts One factor that has been missed amid the growing debate about the weakness of Brazil’s economy is the continued slump in investment and, more worryingly, the fact that there is little prospect for a... 31st May 2019 · 1 min read
Commodities Weekly Trade back in the driving seat Trade was the big theme this week once again, with China suggesting it could restrict exports of rare earth elements to the US, as well as a rise in US-Mexico trade tensions. Consequently, the prices... 31st May 2019 · 1 min read
