UK Data Response BRC Retail Sales Monitor (Dec.) December’s BRC Retail Sales Monitor was in line with other evidence suggesting that retailers experienced a relatively flat festive season. With consumers’ real incomes still falling, the high street... 8th January 2013 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update Auto sales recovering but cash still tight for consumers Vehicles sales increased for a third month running in December suggesting that demand is rebounding following the expiry of the eco-car subsidy. However, demand for other consumer durables remains... 7th January 2013 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Taking stock of developments in Venezuela The recent rally in Venezuelan government bonds, on the back of speculation that the deteriorating health of President Hugo Chávez will lead to a shift towards more market friendly policies, stands in... 7th January 2013 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update Softening of Basel liquidity rules not such a big deal The expansion in the range of assets that can be used to meet the new liquidity requirements under Basel III, combined with their slower implementation, is a small positive for the banking sector, but... 7th January 2013 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Little room for policy stimulus in Romania In spite of the recent easing in financial market tensions, there is little scope for Romanian policymakers to cut interest rates to support growth. As such, we think the economy is likely to flatline... 7th January 2013 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Further weakness ahead for Kenyan shilling The Kenyan shilling slipped to a seven-month low against the US$ this morning and we think that growing domestic political risk in the run-up to elections in March, coupled with a large current... 7th January 2013 · 1 min read
BoE Watch More QE likely this year, albeit not immediately The renewed pick-up in inflation and the tentative success of the Funding for Lending Scheme (FLS) mean that more quantitative easing (QE) does not look imminent. But if the economic stagnation... 7th January 2013 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response Halifax House Prices (Dec. 12) Another increase in house prices during December suggests that the underlying trend in the housing market is improving. But with 2013 likely to bring further headwinds to housing demand, we doubt this... 7th January 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Focus Can Indonesia grow by 8%? Indonesia has seen a dramatic improvement in its economic performance over the past decade, thanks mainly to rapid investment growth. The government is trying to raise the economy’s potential growth... 7th January 2013 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Weekly Falling inflation another concern for policymakers The slump in Canadian inflation over the second half of last year makes it even more likely that the Bank of Canada will soon abandon any pretence of hiking interest rates in 2013. Headline CPI... 7th January 2013 · 1 min read
US Economics Weekly Fight over debt ceiling likely to be even worse The 11th hour fiscal cliff deal to avert most of the scheduled tax increases was better than nothing, but it didn’t include a provision to raise the debt ceiling and the scheduled spending cuts have... 7th January 2013 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Weekly New policies fall short of market-moving rhetoric With the return to power of the Liberal Democratic Party the yen has weakened sharply and the Nikkei has strengthened on the belief that the incoming government will push the Bank of Japan into... 7th January 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Euro-zone policymakers face another demanding year Euro-zone policymakers have created a bit of breathing space for themselves in the latter half of 2012, but we think that there are a number of potential stumbling blocks on the horizon which could... 7th January 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Elections in 2013 – what they mean for Asia In this first Weekly of 2013, we take our usual look at the important elections that are set to take place in Asia over the coming year, assessing the implications for policymaking and the region’s... 7th January 2013 · 1 min read
