US Economics Weekly Labour market still strengthening It should only be a matter of time before the recent fall in the number of people losing their job is followed by a rise in the number of people finding a job. Less firing and more hiring is obviously... 16th September 2013 · 1 min read
UK Economics Weekly Are we really a nation of estate agents? Last week’s numerous stories about estate agents dominating the jobs market were probably a bit over the top. In fact, the rise in both manufacturing and construction employment in the first two... 16th September 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Data dent hopes of French renaissance July’s French industrial production data were a blow to hopes that the economy is staging a longawaited recovery. With business surveys at low levels, consumer confidence weak, unemployment rising and... 16th September 2013 · 1 min read
US Data Response Uni. of Mich. Consumer Confidence (Sep.) The decline in the University of Michigan's consumer confidence index to a five-month low of 76.8 in September, from 82.1, reflects the surge in interest rates and the drop in stock markets, although... 13th September 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Five years after Lehmans: how has Asia changed? It is five years since the collapse of Lehman Brothers. Asia has been able to grow rapidly in the years since, but with monetary policy both at home and abroad likely to be less supportive in the... 13th September 2013 · 1 min read
US Data Response Retail Sales & Producer Prices (Aug.) August’s retail sales data weren’t as good as expected, but they still suggest that underlying consumption growth is accelerating. Although next week’s Fed decision will be a close call, we still... 13th September 2013 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Russia rate overhaul won’t alter monetary conditions The Central Bank of Russia today laid out plans to revamp and streamline the instruments through which it provides liquidity to banks. Over time, these should help to increase transparency but they... 13th September 2013 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Unemployment to fall slowly as global economy recovers Although the global economy appears to be strengthening, we think the unemployment rate in most advanced countries is likely to fall only gradually. This is because there is a lot of scope for a... 13th September 2013 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Have exporters diversified at the wrong time? The recent slowdown in emerging market (EM) economies begs the question of whether UK exporters have shot themselves in the foot by expanding into these markets in recent years. However, the growth... 13th September 2013 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Update Should there be a cap on house price inflation? A boom in house prices would certainly not be sustainable, and the authorities should take action to prevent this. But the Bank of England already has new tools to prevent any unwarranted rise in... 13th September 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update GDP growth to remain strong in Sri Lanka GDP growth in Sri Lanka accelerated in y/y terms in the second quarter due mainly to a surge in construction spending. We expect the economy to continue to grow strongly for the rest of the year... 13th September 2013 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Fed tapering unlikely to put region’s external positions at risk The turbulence in financial markets over the past few months has raised concerns about how emerging markets will perform as global monetary conditions tighten. In the case of Africa, current account... 13th September 2013 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update Consumption tax strategy leaves credibility in doubt The Japanese government looks set to press ahead with the hike in the consumption tax as planned next year, albeit with some offsetting increases in public spending and cuts in corporate taxes. This... 13th September 2013 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Interest rate cuts still likely in Chile and Peru The stronger tone of recent data means that the case for monetary easing in both Chile and Peru is less convincing than it was only a few months ago. Nonetheless, policymakers in both countries will... 13th September 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Employment (Q2) Q2’s employment data suggest that the downturn in the euro-zone labour market is coming to an end. But a significant upturn remains a distant prospect. 13th September 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update When will Denmark normalise monetary policy? Denmark’s year-long experiment with negative deposit rates is likely to come to an end next year. But we think that markets are wrong to expect a second rate hike before the end of 2014. 13th September 2013 · 1 min read
