UK Data Response Public finances (Dec.) December’s public finances data ended 2012 on a disappointing note. While the deficit in the last quarter of the fiscal year will be flattered by temporary factors, including the transfer of the Bank... 22nd January 2013 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update Bank of Japan’s policy overhaul fails to impress Despite the much-hyped announcement of “open-ended easing” to meet a new 2% inflation target, today’s policy overhaul by the Bank of Japan disappoints in many respects. In particular, the ceiling on... 22nd January 2013 · 1 min read
US Chart Pack 2013 off to a weak start In the end the looming fiscal cliff didn't appear to have any severe impact on the wider economy, with the growth rates of employment, retail sales and even durable goods orders all accelerating over... 21st January 2013 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Room for relatively small rate cuts in Nigeria Slowing inflation and sub-trend growth in Nigeria mean that interest rate cuts are likely this year, but concerns over fiscal profligacy and a weakening currency limits the room for significant easing... 21st January 2013 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update The 'Arab Spring' - two years on Two years have passed since the start of the ‘Arab Spring’ and the economic progress that many hoped for at the time still hasn’t materialised. But while the transition process is likely to remain... 21st January 2013 · 1 min read
UK Commercial Property Update CBI/PwC data add to positive London office news-flow Today’s CBI/PwC data add to other evidence that continued near-term gains in London City and West End office rents are more likely than not. But with the economy unlikely to grow to any meaningful... 21st January 2013 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Income inequality is an economic as well as social issue Wide income inequality in China is undermining economic stability as well generating concerns about social tensions. 21st January 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Post-election Germany might offer periphery more support Yesterday’s narrow loss for Germany’s current governing coalition in the state of Lower Saxony added to evidence that September’s general election could result in a change of government. While Angela... 21st January 2013 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Weekly Decline in home prices still on the way The latest round of housing data released last week predictably led to more claims that the market is enjoying a soft landing because, even though home sales fell sharply over the second half of last... 21st January 2013 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Weekly Yen at risk of snap back if policy shift fails to impress Markets have, somewhat implausibly, welcomed the returned of Prime Minister Abe as signalling something of a fresh start for Japan. But there is a risk that today’s investor optimism will turn to... 21st January 2013 · 1 min read
UK Economics Weekly Is the EU uncertainty hurting the economy? The UK’s relationship with the rest of Europe was the main topic of discussion last week. Perhaps the biggest danger is that the debate over Europe distracts politicians from getting on with taking... 21st January 2013 · 1 min read
US Economics Weekly Payroll tax hike will curtail consumption growth The expiry of the payroll tax cut could easily bring the acceleration in consumption growth over the second half of last year to a juddering halt this January. Some of the blow to real incomes will be... 21st January 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Vietnam’s exports bucking the regional trend Exports from Vietnam grew strongly last year in what was a rare bright spot for the country’s troubled economy. In this Weekly we look at how Vietnam has managed to buck the regional trend and outline... 21st January 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Can Germany continue to grow in 2013? Last week’s news that German GDP rose by 0.7% in 2012 clearly confirmed that the economy broke no records. But it did well to continue growing at all in such a weak economic and political climate... 21st January 2013 · 1 min read
