Latin America Economics Update Credit cycle about to turn in Latin America Lending growth has accelerated throughout Latin America and in some countries – notably Brazil and Argentina – it has reached unsustainable levels. Capital ratios remain high, but will fall if... 27th September 2011 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update New rescue plans are unlikely to save the euro Talk of radical new measures to bail out highly indebted euro-zone governments and shore up banks throughout the region suggests that policymakers might finally be considering the bold steps that... 27th September 2011 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update Gold’s remaining pillars still strong Two of the pillars that supported the bull market in gold have recently been knocked away, namely the fears of a surge in inflation and a collapse in the US dollar. However, others remain strong... 27th September 2011 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update The return of President Putin This weekend’s news that current President Medvedev will step aside to allow Vladimir Putin to run for the presidency at next year’s elections has raised hopes that lower political uncertainty will... 27th September 2011 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response German Ifo Survey (Sep.) September’s modest decline in the German Ifo is a relief after sharper falls in other survey indicators. But the continued decline in the Ifo’s expectations index suggests that the euro-zone’s... 27th September 2011 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly What lies ahead for Asia’s currencies? Asia’s currencies have fallen sharply against the US dollar this month and we expect the downward pressure to continue in the near term. However, once the global financial situation starts to... 27th September 2011 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Weekly Bank of Japan not government could turn the yen The rout in financial markets last week reflected a realisation that the global economy is slowing and there are limits to how much policymakers can do about it. Japan’s government has little scope to... 27th September 2011 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Weekly Is Canada's economy headed for recession? Recession fears and concerns are understandable, considering that second-quarter GDP contracted and monthly import data received thus far hints at falling business investment, which has been a key... 27th September 2011 · 1 min read
Capital Daily US durable goods orders could be a bright spot amid the gloom 27th September 2011 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Core policymakers resisting calls for decisive action Despite some dire pronouncements from global policymakers last week, there remain few signs that their counterparts in Europe are preparing to pull out all the stops and secure the future of the... 27th September 2011 · 1 min read
US Economics Weekly Businesses are cash rich, but reluctant to invest Despite the explosion in Federal government debt, the US economy as a whole has been deleveraging since the financial crisis erupted in 2008. The reduction in debt by the household and financial... 27th September 2011 · 1 min read
UK Economics Weekly Weak demand is the real fiscal threat Renewed concerns over the UK’s fiscal position have centred on suggestions that, with less spare capacity in the economy than previously thought, the structural budget deficit is correspondingly... 27th September 2011 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Is the Italian retail market as safe an investment as some think? Anecdotal evidence suggests that many investors believe that the Italian retail market offers a better risk profile than offices or industrial. We are not convinced. Indeed, with consumer spending... 24th September 2011 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Gold still deserves “safe haven” status The recent sharp falls in the dollar price of gold have led some to question its status as a refuge from problems elsewhere, especially now that the US currency is strengthening across the board... 24th September 2011 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Focus shifts to boosting growth & safeguarding stability The latest turmoil in markets and the rapidly deteriorating outlook for global and regional growth mean that fears about rising inflation, which dominated the policy debate over the first half of this... 24th September 2011 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response BBA Mortgage Lending (Aug.) The BBA measure of mortgage approvals rose to a 15-month high in August. But given the weak outlook for growth and employment and still tight credit conditions, the chances that this will mark the... 24th September 2011 · 1 min read
