Industrial Metals Update Weak demand to weigh on steel prices The recent strength in global steel production is unlikely to continue as we expect growth in global steel demand to soften and prices to fall in the months ahead. 29th May 2019 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Data Response Sweden, Finland & Denmark GDP (Q1) Swedish GDP surprised on the upside in Q1 but the outcome masked domestic weakness. With surveys indicating that growth will slow again, and core inflation set to stay subdued, we continue to expect... 29th May 2019 · 1 min read
Precious Metals Update China and India Gold Imports (Apr.) Chinese and Indian gold imports rose sharply in April, in part owing to lower prices. However, our forecast of a rally in the gold price this year suggests that India’s jewellery demand, in particular... 28th May 2019 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update What to make of this year’s elections The recent election results from India, Australia and the European Union won’t have a significant impact on economic policy in the near term. However, upcoming elections in Turkey and Argentina may... 28th May 2019 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Argentine inflation close to a peak Argentine inflation is close to a peak and should ease in the coming quarters. But bringing inflation down to single digits will require a reduction in wage indexation, improvements in the central... 28th May 2019 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response Case-Shiller / FHFA House Prices (Mar.) March’s easing in house price growth was consistent with our expectations. Looking ahead, we expect that slowdown to continue, although with inventory levels very low and mortgage interest rates... 28th May 2019 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Angola: another year of recession The latest developments support our non-consensus view that Angola’s economy will contract again in 2019. Taken together with falling inflation, the central bank’s easing cycle has further to run. 28th May 2019 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Data Response Economic Sentiment Indicators (May) May’s set of ESIs suggests that aggregate GDP growth in Central and Eastern Europe slowed to 3.5% y/y in Q2 following impressively strong growth of 4.3% y/y in Q1. 28th May 2019 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack Households to rein in spending in Q2 Some of the surge in consumer spending growth from 0.3% q/q in Q4 to 0.7% q/q in Q1 might have been due to households bringing forward purchases ahead of the original 29th March Brexit deadline. If so... 28th May 2019 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response EC Business and Consumer Survey (May) The small increase in the euro-zone’s Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) is a welcome bit of good news. But it is not enough to fully reverse its fall in April, and does not change our view that... 28th May 2019 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response UK Finance Mortgage Lending (Apr.) Mortgage approvals for house purchase saw a surprisingly large rise in April, but we doubt that signals the start of a sustained rebound in lending. Indeed, with all other signs consistent with... 28th May 2019 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Data Response Switzerland GDP (Q1) and Swedish ETI (May) Swiss Q1 GDP data released this morning offer some comfort that the Swiss economy has put the weak patch in H2 2018 behind it. But indicators suggest that growth is likely to slow over the rest of... 28th May 2019 · 1 min read
RBA Watch Rates may fall to 0.75% The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has telegraphed that it will cut interest rates to 1.25% in June and we think it will follow up with another 25bp cut in August. But we suspect that further easing... 28th May 2019 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Eight quick points about the European elections Projections of the results of the European elections confirm that pro-European parties will continue to have a clear majority in the European Parliament (EP) itself, so little will change at EU level... 27th May 2019 · 1 min read
Global Trade Monitor Tentative signs of stabilisation in world trade World trade volumes contracted again in Q1. But just as trade tensions between the US and China are ratcheting up again, there are a few signs that the slowdown in world trade may be bottoming out. 24th May 2019 · 1 min read
