Canada Data Response GDP (Q4 2011) Despite the slowdown in fourth-quarter GDP growth, to 1.8% annualised from an upward revised 4.2% in the third quarter, the details on household spending and business investment were more encouraging... 2nd March 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Spike in oil prices is a bigger risk to growth than to inflation The surge in oil prices is unlikely to have a major impact on inflation in Emerging Europe but the impact on growth could be more significant. Ukraine and the Baltic States appear most vulnerable on... 2nd March 2012 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Dubai’s economy on slow recovery path Dubai’s equities soared by 26% since the beginning of the year on the back of fading concerns that government-related entities (GREs) will struggle to refinance their maturing debt this year and... 2nd March 2012 · 1 min read
Commodities Chart Pack Iran premium in oil prices climbs towards $10 Commodity prices were mostly firm last month, helped by the general improvement in investor sentiment and, in the case of crude oil, an additional premium due to tensions between the West and Iran... 2nd March 2012 · 1 min read
UK Commercial Property Data Response CIPS/Markit Construction PMI (Feb.) Unlike yesterday’s manufacturing sector survey, today’s PMI data reported that activity levels in the construction sector strengthened in February. Activity in the commercial property sector continues... 2nd March 2012 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update February PMIs suggest industrial slowdown has bottomed out February PMIs for Asia were positive, boosting hopes that the region’s industrial sector is now on the road to recovery. However, with global growth likely to disappoint this year, any rebound in... 2nd March 2012 · 1 min read
China Economics Update What to watch for at the National People’s Congress The annual meeting of China’s parliament, the National People’s Congress, starts on Monday. In this China Watch, we highlight the key issues. We also preview forthcoming data releases. We expect them... 2nd March 2012 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Global manufacturing recovery fading? Purchasing managers’ surveys for February suggest that, although activity has recovered from late- 2011, the global manufacturing recovery may be losing momentum already 1st March 2012 · 1 min read
US Data Response ISM Manu. & Personal Income/Spending (Feb./Jan.) Today’s batch of data casts doubt over hopes that the economy has finally embarked on a strong and sustained recovery. When taken together, the figures support our view that annualised GDP growth in... 1st March 2012 · 1 min read
ECB Watch Credit crunch risks have not evaporated Having agreed to forego profits on its Greek government bonds and pumped billions more into the banking system over the past month, the ECB is unlikely to announce any major policy changes at its... 1st March 2012 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Brazil’s industrial recovery at threat from resurgent real The tentative recovery in Brazilian industry is already running into headwinds in the form of a resurgent currency. But while the latest set of measures aimed at stemming the rise in the real are... 1st March 2012 · 1 min read
US Employment Report Preview Labour market conditions still improving The labour market appears to have strengthened markedly over the last few months, with non-farm payrolls increasing by a 10-month high of 243,000 in January and the unemployment rate falling to a... 1st March 2012 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack Rise in oil prices presents new threat to recovery The rise in energy prices adds to the reasons to be cautious about assuming that the recent pick-up in the economic recovery will continue. 1st March 2012 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Egypt’s confused policy will hamper its recovery Recent comments from Saudi Arabia that its promises of financial aid to Egypt have been held back by the latter are at odds with earlier remarks from the Egyptian Prime Minister which lambasted... 1st March 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Industry stagnates February’s PMI data suggest that the slump in Czech and Hungarian manufacturing seen towards the end of last year has bottomed out. But while output is no longer falling, manufacturing in both... 1st March 2012 · 1 min read
