US Economics Focus Drop in participation rate more structural than cyclical The push by the Fed to delay tapering its asset purchases and possibly to lower its unemployment rate threshold suggests that officials expect the participation rate to rebound. We're not convinced... 18th November 2013 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Pace of further globalisation likely to remain sluggish Globalisation appears to have stalled since 2008, even as the world economy has recovered. This suggests that structural changes have reduced the incentives for closer integration. With little... 18th November 2013 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Chile: Q3 data underline challenges awaiting Bachelet Chilean Q3 GDP data were stronger than expected, but this was largely driven by a rebound in mining exports which is unlikely to be sustained. With investment weakening and the current account deficit... 18th November 2013 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Nigeria: non-oil sector continues to drive GDP growth The pick-up in Nigerian GDP growth in Q3 was driven by an improvement in the non-oil sector, which has been due in part to continued loose fiscal policy. All of this would seem to strengthen the case... 18th November 2013 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Public jobs no solution to high MENA unemployment High unemployment rates have grabbed the headlines in the MENA region, not only as a catalyst for the Arab Spring revolutions but also for prompting a backlash against expatriate workers in the region... 18th November 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update French firms will do little to support the recovery The breakdown of France’s Q3 drop in GDP, released last week, underlined the pressure on firms. Without more ambitious structural reforms, weak investment and employment growth mean that French GDP... 18th November 2013 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Prospects bright for at least part of the household goods sector The recovery in the housing market has so far had little impact on total sales of household goods. But digging a little deeper, spending on items linked more closely with house purchases has risen... 18th November 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Trade (Sep.) The latest euro-zone trade data indicate that although the trade surplus continues to widen, weak global demand and the strong euro are holding back exports. 18th November 2013 · 1 min read
Bank of Japan Watch Board disagreements underline bias towards further easing The statements following the two-day meeting of the Bank of Japan's Policy Board, which concludes on Thursday, are likely to be dovish even if there is no additional loosening just yet. It has been... 18th November 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Thailand’s economy remains fragile, and downside risks are rising GDP data today showed Thailand’s economy returning to growth in the third quarter, but a strong recovery is unlikely to materialise any time soon. High household debt and delays to public investment... 18th November 2013 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update Monetary Indicators Monitor (Oct.) While the money supply grew at the fastest pace since the late 1990s in October, bank lending has decelerated slightly. But record low interest rates and easy lending standards should provide further... 18th November 2013 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Weekly Tighter mortgage rules could worsen future housing correction Finance Minister Jim Flaherty's latest threat to intervene in the housing market appears ill-timed. Although the recent pick-up in existing home sales points to some acceleration in house price... 18th November 2013 · 1 min read
Capital Daily No evidence of large bubbles in US stock or housing markets 18th November 2013 · 1 min read
US Economics Weekly Boost to spending from lower gasoline prices will be small The recent decline in gasoline prices has prompted speculation that it could provide a very timely boost to real income and spending. Gasoline prices normally decline at this time of year, however, so... 18th November 2013 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Weekly How serious is the government about austerity? The government has pledged to halve its primary deficit by 2015. However, the ongoing surge in public spending casts severe doubt on policymakers' commitment to fiscal austerity despite the planned... 18th November 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Signs of growth convergence provide little comfort Q3's meagre rise in euro-zone GDP clearly was disappointing, but there were some signs that growth within the region is converging. The slowdown was largely down to weaker growth in Germany and France... 18th November 2013 · 1 min read
