Asia Economics Update Rising downside risks to growth in India Wholesale price data for October, released today, suggest India’s inflation rate is still not at a turning point. Meanwhile, recent evidence shows economic activity has slowed more steeply than... 14th November 2011 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Industrial Production (Sep.) & Portuguese GDP (Q3) September’s plunge in euro-zone industrial production provided the strongest sign yet that the sector is beginning to act as a major drag on the economy. Given this, the problems of the region’s most... 14th November 2011 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Weekly Fussing over federal finances is misplaced We agree that the federal government will take longer than previously thought to return to budgetary balance but, really, so what? Considering that the primary federal budget is already balanced and... 14th November 2011 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Italy on the road to default We have long warned that Italy represents the single biggest threat to the currency union and last week, that threat loomed large. Bond yields rose to unsustainably high levels, suggesting that Italy... 14th November 2011 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Weekly Japan still a long way from joining free-trade pact Prime Minister Noda’s announcement on Friday that Japan would join negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade agreement is a step in the right direction. Not only would the pact open up... 14th November 2011 · 1 min read
US Economics Weekly Disturbing decline in demand for loans Prime Minister Noda’s announcement on Friday that Japan would join negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade agreement is a step in the right direction. Not only would the pact open up... 14th November 2011 · 1 min read
UK Economics Weekly Risks from euro-zone intensify With the euro-zone crisis entering a far more dangerous phase last week, the threats posed to the UK from overseas are looming ever larger. September’s trade data, showing a sharp drop in export... 14th November 2011 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly How important are remittances for emerging Asia? Concern is growing that the ongoing debt problems in the euro-zone could lead to another global financial and economic crisis. Remittances should provide a relatively stable source of income... 14th November 2011 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Central banks of Korea and Malaysia to cut rates in 2012 Policy rates were left unchanged in Korea and Malaysia today, but both central banks are becoming increasingly concerned about the downside risks for exports. We expect policymakers in both countries... 11th November 2011 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Hong Kong facing a difficult year ahead Hong Kong escaped falling into recession in the third quarter, but the economy remains very weak. Given our forecast that global growth will slow further next year, and the risks of a local property... 11th November 2011 · 1 min read
China Data Response Lending and Broad Money (Oct.) Today’s data show that net new lending rebounded last month, while growth in broad money fell slightly. We expect credit controls to be eased officially soon and therefore see lending picking up... 11th November 2011 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Can tin producers wait long enough for higher prices? Tin is caught in a battle between Indonesian producers, who have halted exports as they wait for the metal’s price to rise from $21,500 to $25,000 per tonne, and consumers hoping exports will resume... 11th November 2011 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Rice prices to drop sharply as Thai floods recede Thailand, the world’s largest rice exporter, has lost up to a quarter of its main rice harvest due to recent floods. However, ample global stockpiles, improved harvests in other major rice producing... 11th November 2011 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Peru: modest rate cuts likely in 2012 Policy makers in Peru left interest rates unchanged at 4.25% last night. In the very near-term strong domestic conditions, rising inflation and a planned fiscal stimulus will deter rate cuts, despite... 11th November 2011 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Brazilian inflation has peaked The official release of October’s inflation data this morning confirmed what yesterday’s leak from the statistics agency had suggested – Brazilian inflation has peaked. We expect it to fall back to... 11th November 2011 · 1 min read
