China Economics Update Surge in FX reserves throws spotlight on Chinese intervention The $194bn increase in China’s foreign exchange reserves in the third quarter was one of the biggest on record. There are two immediate implications. 13th October 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update North Korea; probably the worst top job in the world Public appearances in recent days have confirmed that Kim Jong-eun, the youngest son of Kim Jong-iI, has become North Korea’s new leader-in-waiting. It is good news for the region that a leadership... 13th October 2010 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Brazil Election Watch: Markets unmoved by election uncertainty The Brazilian presidential election is set for a second round of voting on 31st October and the latest opinion polls suggest that it may be a tighter race than many had expected. While Dilma Rousseff... 13th October 2010 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Machinery Orders (Aug.) & Bank Lending (Sep.) There are some valid concerns over the outlook for the next few quarters, but the surge in machinery orders suggests that the long-awaited rebound in Japanese investment has at least begun. This... 13th October 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Industrial Production (Aug.) August’s healthy rise in euro-zone industrial production will help to ease concerns that the recovery in the sector is grinding to a halt. 13th October 2010 · 1 min read
UK Data Response UK Labour Data (Aug./Sep.) The labour market recovery appears to be faltering, even before the public sector job cuts really begin. We stand by our long-held view that unemployment will eventually rise all the way to 3 million... 13th October 2010 · 1 min read
UK Data Response UK Labour Data (Aug./Sep.) The labour market recovery appears to be faltering, even before the public sector job cuts really begin. We stand by our long-held view that unemployment will eventually rise all the way to 3 million... 13th October 2010 · 1 min read
China Data Response Sustained surpluses and massive FX intervention China's overall trade surplus may have declined slightly last month, but tensions are unlikely to do the same. Q3's monthly surpluses with the US were the three largest on record. Meanwhile, the value... 13th October 2010 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Low company failures keep a lid on redundancies One explanation for the relatively small drop in employment during this recession is the muted pickup in company insolvencies. But a number of factors could prompt insolvencies to rise further... 12th October 2010 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Low company failures keep a lid on redundancies One explanation for the relatively small drop in employment during this recession is the muted pickup in company insolvencies. But a number of factors could prompt insolvencies to rise further... 12th October 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update What lies ahead for the Aussie dollar? The Australian dollar is close to hitting parity against the US dollar, a level last reached in mid-1982. Interest rate differentials will probably remain the main driver of where the exchange rate... 12th October 2010 · 1 min read
UK Commercial Property Update Low supply unlikely to lead to surge in shopping centre rents New shopping centre completions are likely to remain low over the next 12 to 15 months. As in the London office markets, this could lead to a spike in prime rents as occupiers compete to secure a... 12th October 2010 · 1 min read
UK Data Response UK Consumer Prices (Sep.) UK consumer price inflation remains stubbornly high. But that is unlikely to prevent the Monetary Policy Committee from providing the economy with further policy support should activity continue to... 12th October 2010 · 1 min read
UK Data Response UK Consumer Prices (Sep.) UK consumer price inflation remains stubbornly high. But that is unlikely to prevent the Monetary Policy Committee from providing the economy with further policy support should activity continue to... 12th October 2010 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Consumer Confidence (Sep.) Japanese consumer confidence eroded further in September, although this is no surprise following the falls in other sentiment indicators. Confidence remains well above its 2009 trough and, for now at... 12th October 2010 · 1 min read
