Energy Watch Oil prices to reverse as weaker demand trumps Iran This is the first edition of a new monthly publication, Energy Watch, which marks the next stage in the development of our Commodity service. This edition focuses on global oil prices and specifically... 27th February 2012 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Weekly Are rising oil prices a threat to Japan’s economy? Recent increases in the price of oil to their highest level since 2008, and the possibility that they may climb even higher, raise questions over the sustainability of Japan’s economic recovery. In... 27th February 2012 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Weekly Low vacancy rates don't mean what you might think The low rental vacancy rate in Canada is often linked to strong immigration growth and presented as a reason why the current strength in new condo sales and multi-unit construction can be sustained in... 27th February 2012 · 1 min read
US Economics Weekly Rise in oil price not big enough to pose a threat The recent resurgence in the price of crude oil has led to speculation that, in a repeat of what happened at this time last year, a spike in energy prices could undermine real economic growth just... 27th February 2012 · 1 min read
UK Economics Weekly Chancellor unlikely to start splashing some cash As soon as last week’s figures showed that public sector borrowing is likely to undershoot the OBR’s forecast this year, the Chancellor was inundated with calls for what he should do with this... 27th February 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Growth plans are too long term After forcing yet more austerity on Greece in return for the new rescue package agreed last week, some European leaders finally appeared to adopt a more positive focus, by presenting “A Plan for... 27th February 2012 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response New Home Sales (Jan.) The new homes market is finally benefitting from the recent improvement in housing demand. But with new homes only available at an extremely high premium relative to existing homes, the recovery in... 24th February 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Greece still in a "debt trap" Greece’s bail-out reduces the risk of an imminent default, but a closer look at the economic and fiscal projections that the package is based on adds to evidence that the deal is a fudge. The only way... 24th February 2012 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Venezuela facing huge challenges despite bond market rally Venezuelan markets have rallied in recent days on the back of renewed speculation that the President, Hugo Chavez, will not be able to stand in October’s elections. A victory for the Opposition’s... 24th February 2012 · 1 min read
Non-Euro Europe Commercial Property Chart Pack Emerging European outperformance fading 2011 was a relatively strong year for Emerging European commercial property markets. But falls in yields and increases in rents became smaller and less widespread in the final quarter of the year. As... 24th February 2012 · 1 min read
Commodities Update A tale of two exchanges Copper stocks on the two main metal exchanges have been moving almost continuously in opposite directions since the start of the year. As a result, LME stocks are at a 2-year low, but inventories on... 24th February 2012 · 1 min read
China Economics Update How rapidly will China relax capital controls? China is slowly relaxing its capital controls but unfettered cross-border flows won’t be allowed until the currency floats and the financial sector has been overhauled. This could take a decade, but... 24th February 2012 · 1 min read
UK Commercial Property Data Response IPF Consensus Forecasts (Q1) The brighter tone of some of the economic surveys of late has not been reflected in Consensus forecasts for commercial property. Respondents to the latest IPF survey have cut their forecasts for... 24th February 2012 · 1 min read
UK Data Response GDP: Second Estimate & Expenditure Breakdown (Q4) The second estimate of Q4 GDP confirmed that the economy finished 2011 on a weak footing. Admittedly, the drop reflected a temporary dip in the pace of stockbuilding by firms. There are signs too that... 24th February 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Russian markets shrug off political risk – but can it last? With just over a week to go to Russia’s presidential election, the markets seem to have shrugged off the possibility of a fresh wave of civil unrest following the poll. Equities are up 20% since the... 24th February 2012 · 1 min read
