Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Egypt's IMF deal hits a snag (again) The IMF’s reservations over Egypt’s economic programme have dealt a blow to hopes that a financing package will be agreed in the short-term. This doesn’t necessarily mean that Egypt is now destined... 11th March 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update No sign of respite for the Portuguese economy The detailed Portuguese GDP release for Q4 confirmed that the economy is in a worryingly deep and broad-based recession. The lack of evidence that the downturn is easing, coupled with voters’ growing... 11th March 2013 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update First thoughts on Kenyatta's victory On the face of it, an earlier-than-expected victory for Uhuru Kenyatta in Kenya’s presidential election has reduced the risk of public unrest and political uncertainty that had previously threatened... 11th March 2013 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Q4 GDP breakdown points to consumer turnaround The breakdown of Q4 GDP data in Central and South Eastern Europe showed encouraging (albeit tentative) signs of an improvement in consumer spending. By contrast, exports were extremely weak. Leading... 11th March 2013 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update Improving sentiment yet to be matched in investment The slump in machinery orders in January illustrates the divergence between the improvement in sentiment in financial markets and what is actually happening on the ground. Of course, it is too soon to... 11th March 2013 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Economic rebound may already be stalling The weekend’s data releases suggest that China’s economic rebound is faltering sooner than expected, even by relative pessimists such as ourselves. 11th March 2013 · 1 min read
US Economics Update More signs of a “reach for yield” The willingness of investors to snap up the record amount of corporate bonds issued in the fourth quarter of last year may concern some Fed officials as it could be a sign that low interest rates are... 11th March 2013 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus Budget 2013 Preview With the economy still stagnating, Mr Osborne is under more pressure than ever to pull something out of the bag at the Budget on 20th March. But we doubt that he will do anything very bold on the... 11th March 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Italian GDP (Q4), French Ind. Prod. & German Trade (Jan.) On balance, the latest batch of hard economic data from the euro-zone’s three largest economies makes fairly grim reading and casts further doubt on the view that the region as whole has begun to grow... 11th March 2013 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Weekly Euphoria grips the equity market After what proved to be only a brief pause, the slide in the yen and associated surge in the Nikkei have both resumed with a vengeance. A yen/dollar exchange rate of 100 and a further rally to 13,000... 11th March 2013 · 1 min read
US Economics Weekly Recovery picking up pace despite headwinds The US recovery still appears to be on track and is possibly even strengthening a little, despite the lingering impact of the expiry of the payroll tax cut, the recent surge in gasoline prices and the... 11th March 2013 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Weekly Consensus clings to pick-up in exports and investment The underlying impetus for economic growth is fading. For 2013, we doubt that export and business investment growth will provide strong enough pillars to offset modest consumption growth, government... 11th March 2013 · 1 min read
UK Economics Weekly Policymakers deny economy more support Don’t expect much from the Budget was the message that came through loud and clear from David Cameron’s speech last week. And barely ten minutes before the Prime Minister spoke, the MPC announced it... 11th March 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Is the ECB really out of ammo? The ECB’s inaction despite predicting continued recession and below-target inflation suggests that the central bank is either out of policy ammunition or holding what little it has back for an even... 11th March 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Worries mount in Indonesia Indonesia continues to be among the best performers in Asia. However, rising inflation, a weakening currency, and haphazard policymaking have become growing concerns. This Weekly takes a closer look... 11th March 2013 · 1 min read
