Nordic & Swiss Data Response Iceland GDP (Q3 13) Although Iceland’s GDP data is very volatile, Q3’s sharp economic expansion shows that the country is successfully rebuilding its economy. 6th December 2013 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Egypt: further rate cuts may come in 2014 In spite of October’s rise in inflation, the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) decided to cut interest rates today. It looks like the decision was prompted by the weakness of recent hard activity data, as... 5th December 2013 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update Will sterling’s strength be sustained? Sterling has been the best performing major currency in recent months, rising from $1.50 in the summer to $1.63 now. Nonetheless, we expect it to come under pressure again before too long and... 5th December 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Pressure on the ECB to take further action set to grow President Draghi emphasised at December’s interest rate press conference that the ECB has a “powerful artillery of instruments available”. And the pressure on it to use these instruments looks set to... 5th December 2013 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Ukraine: currency crisis seems a bigger threat than debt default The recent escalation of political protests in Kiev has put Ukraine's fragile external position back in the spotlight. A full-blown balance of payments crisis remains a real risk. The one crumb of... 5th December 2013 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus Autumn Statement 2013: Mr Osborne sticks to the path This is a responsible package which is broadly fiscally neutral. The key message is that the UK’s fiscal consolidation still has a long way to go. 5th December 2013 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Chart Pack Housing market recovery continues The housing market is still some way off boom territory, with mortgage approvals 40% below pre- crisis levels and annual house price inflation under 5% in most regions. But with market conditions... 5th December 2013 · 1 min read
China Economics Update What to expect in 2014 China’s leaders are gathering again in Beijing, this time to discuss priorities for 2014. In this month’s China Watch we outline our views on what to expect on growth, monetary policy and reform. 5th December 2013 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update MPC's inaction speaks louder than words While the MPC’s communications have arguably become a little less clear over the last month or two, Committee members seem united in the fundamental belief that inflation pressures will remain subdued... 5th December 2013 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Brazil’s central bank dashes hopes that hiking cycle may be over The minutes to last month’s COPOM meeting, released this morning, will dash hopes that Brazilian policymakers might call a halt to interest rate hikes at their next meeting in January. 5th December 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Norwegian interest rates on hold until at least mid-2015 The weakening Norwegian economy prompted the Norges Bank to push back its tightening cycle today. With the Bank revising down its economic forecasts closer to our own, we agree with its new projection... 5th December 2013 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Norwegian interest rates on hold until at least mid-2015 The weakening Norwegian economy prompted the Norges Bank to push back its tightening cycle today. With the Bank revising down its economic forecasts closer to our own, we agree with its new projection... 5th December 2013 · 1 min read
Canada Chart Pack Faster economic growth won't be sustained Canada's economic growth rate has rebounded slightly after the disconcerting slowdown in the second half of last year. Growth remains overly dependent on unsustainable household borrowing, however... 4th December 2013 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Update Bank of Canada shuffling closer to a rate cut Although the Bank of Canada maintained its neutral stance as expected, its policy statement showed that it does have more concerns about the growth and inflation outlook, just not enough right now to... 4th December 2013 · 1 min read
Capital Daily OPEC production quota already being undermined by Iran and Iraq 4th December 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Further falls likely in Amsterdam's structurally high vacancy rate Amsterdam’s “Action Programme to Tackle Vacant Offices” appears to be bearing fruit. The total office stock has shrunk over the past year and, despite weak occupier demand, the vacancy rate has fallen... 4th December 2013 · 1 min read