Latin America Economics Update Argentina’s suspect data puts spotlight back on ‘Kirchnerismo’ Recent headlines questioning the validity of Argentina’s official data tell us little we don’t already know. Nevertheless, the fact remains that government manipulation is widening distortions in the... 1st March 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Poland still the region’s outperformer Polish Q4 GDP data confirmed that the economy survived the slump in euro-zone demand at the end of last year relatively unscathed – unlike the rest of Central Europe. Nonetheless, with less scope for... 1st March 2012 · 1 min read
China Data Response Manufacturing PMIs (Feb.) A third consecutive increase in both of China’s manufacturing PMIs should dispel any lingering concern about an imminent hard landing. But with a post-Chinese New Year rebound in hiring and activity... 1st March 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Flash CPI & Unemployment (Feb./Jan.) The latest euro-zone data revealed an unpalatable combination of stubborn inflation and rising unemployment at the start of the year, suggesting that the recent improvement in sentiment towards the... 1st March 2012 · 1 min read
UK Data Response CIPS/Markit Report on Manufacturing (Feb.) February’s CIPS report on manufacturing tentatively suggested that the industrial recovery might be starting to falter. Nonetheless, the industrial sector will probably still support overall GDP... 1st March 2012 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Weak growth prompts further rate cut in the Philippines The Philippines central bank (BSP) cut its policy rate by a further 25bp to 4.0% today, taking the overnight rate back to the trough of the previous cycle. Lower interest rates are needed to support... 1st March 2012 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Nationwide House Prices (Feb.) Following falls in December and January, the modest rise in the Nationwide house price index in February is symptomatic of a market that is still struggling for direction. Given that prices are still... 1st March 2012 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Data Response Swedish GDP (Q4 11) Q4’s Swedish GDP figures brought the strongest evidence yet that the problems in the euro-zone are taking their toll on Europe’s healthiest economies. We continue to think that the Riksbank will lower... 29th February 2012 · 1 min read
DM Markets Chart Pack Weaker yen boosts Japan’s stock market The yen fell to its lowest level against the dollar in more than six months in February, with the exchange rate rising above 80. The principal catalysts for the weakening of the currency were probably... 29th February 2012 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Monetary Indicators Monitor (Feb.) The broad money supply bounced back in January, suggesting that the extreme weakness at the end of last year was just temporary. But the underlying trend still looks too weak to support a sustained... 29th February 2012 · 1 min read
Bank of Canada Watch More policy stimulus expected in the second half of this year While it is widely expected that the Bank of Canada will maintain its policy interest rate at 1% next week, with the same decision now likely at the next meeting in April too, we still think that the... 29th February 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Swedish industrial rental outperformance on shaky ground This morning’s news that Swedish GDP contracted by 1.1%q/q in Q4 last year suggests that our forecast for Stockholm industrial rents to fall by 1% this year may now prove to be too optimistic. Whether... 29th February 2012 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Monetary stimulus not enough to rescue commodity prices The additional monetary stimulus from the world’s major central banks undoubtedly contributed to the recovery in asset prices, including commodities as well as equities, after the global recession... 29th February 2012 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update Industrial production points to a return to growth January’s increase in industrial production and forecasts for further rises in February and March point to a return to GDP growth in Q1. However, further increases in output beyond Q1 are far from... 29th February 2012 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update ECB reduces risk of UK credit crunch, for now The ECB’s second long-term refinancing operation (LTRO) conducted this morning should alleviate the risk of a renewed credit crunch, not just in the euro-zone, but in the UK too. However, UK bank... 29th February 2012 · 1 min read
