Africa Economics Update Equities and currencies take divergent paths This is the first edition of our new monthly Africa Markets Monitor. The purpose of this publication is to analyse major developments in local markets over the past month, and to give an update on our... 25th January 2013 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Rising car sales unlikely to signal general consumer pick-up One rare bright spot in the consumer sector recently has been the pick-up in spending on cars. While cars comprise a relatively small part of overall consumer spending, this could still be promising... 25th January 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Chart Pack A strong finish to 2012 Emerging Asia’s GDP growth looks to have rebounded in the final quarter of last year, led by strength in South East Asia. Meanwhile, inflation remains comfortably low for policymakers in most... 25th January 2013 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Economics Chart Pack Bright start to the year Emerging markets are in a sweet spot at the moment. Economic growth appears to have accelerated towards 5% y/y in Q4 of last year, led by a rebound in the Chinese economy. At the same time, aside from... 24th January 2013 · 1 min read
US Economics Update Is the Markit PMI leading the way or the odd one out? By pointing to an acceleration in manufacturing output growth to around 8% per year, the Markit manufacturing PMI is probably a bit too upbeat. After all, it stands out as being much more optimistic... 24th January 2013 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Business surveys point to positive start to the year Preliminary survey data for January suggest the recovery in Chinese manufacturing is continuing and activity is picking up in the US. They also suggest the euro-zone recession may be easing, for now... 24th January 2013 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Strengthening global sentiment to support prices in Q1 Improving business conditions and confidence in financial markets should support higher prices for industrial commodities through the first quarter at least, but doubts remain about their... 24th January 2013 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update South African Reserve Bank faces difficult balancing act Concerns over the effects of a weakening rand on inflation will continue to leave the South African Reserve Bank with little room to loosen policy in order to support growth over the coming months. 24th January 2013 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update A new front in the "currency war" An improvement in risk appetite since the turn of the year has supported further gains in Latin American financial markets. But with the good news has come renewed upward pressure on the region’s... 24th January 2013 · 1 min read
China Chart Pack Shanghai equities soar The Shanghai Composite index has risen 17% since early December. Even so, a trailing price/earnings ratio under 13 and the backdrop of a strengthening economy suggest that prices could rise much... 24th January 2013 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Chart Pack All eyes on how far Egyptian pound will fall Although Egypt’s constitutional crisis has eased, the currency is now presenting a fresh cause for concern. Our central view remains that Egypt will secure an IMF deal which, combined with a return of... 24th January 2013 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Update What does the depreciation of sterling mean for prime London property? The slight drop in the value of sterling in recent months has reduced the value of prime London property held by overseas buyers. But with the euro-zone crisis only contained, rather than solved, we... 24th January 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Korea's weak growth underlines need for policy support Korea’s Q4 GDP data show that the economy ended 2012 on a weak note. We think growth is unlikely to rebound strongly anytime soon, while inflation looks set to remain low. Accordingly, we maintain our... 24th January 2013 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response BBA Mortgage Lending (Dec. 12) The recent growth in mortgage approvals appears to have stalled. While the FLS has helped to bring mortgage rates down, the depressed state of the economy is acting as a significant drag on housing... 24th January 2013 · 1 min read
China Data Response HSBC/Markit Flash Manufacturing PMI (Jan.) Today’s better-than-expected flash manufacturing PMI from HSBC and Markit supports the view that China’s recovery is continuing at the start of the year. But distortions around Chinese New Year mean... 24th January 2013 · 1 min read
