UK Housing Market Data Response BBA Mortgage Lending (Jun.) June’s renewed decline in mortgage approvals highlights the lacklustre state of the mortgage market. 23rd July 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Can Hungary go it alone? Hungary can probably survive without a new IMF/EU programme for the remainder of this year. But we suspect it will eventually be forced to re-engage with the Fund either later this year or early in... 23rd July 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response German Ifo Survey (Jul.) & French Consumer Spending (Jun.) July’s rise in the German Ifo index suggests that the economy is performing very well despite signs of a slowdown in the US and elsewhere. But June’s fall in French consumer spending confirmed that... 23rd July 2010 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Bank privatisations unlikely to support the recovery Recent press reports have suggested that the Government may be considering an early sale of some of its banking sector assets. However, any sales are unlikely to improve the fiscal outlook and may... 22nd July 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Germany to the rescue? Germany’s export-led recovery appears to be going from strength to strength. But while this is clearly good news, a domestic revival would be required to ensure a strong and sustained pick-up in the... 22nd July 2010 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack High street holding up for now (Jul 10) Consumers do not appear to have let concerns about the fiscal squeeze affect their spending too much yet. Nonetheless, there are some signs that the spending recovery is starting to lose momentum. And... 22nd July 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Latest rise in Greek property yields is unlikely to be the last The fact that rises in Greek property yields have accelerated recently highlights the increasing perception of investment risk associated with the country. And with fears of a government default... 22nd July 2010 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Market still overestimating pace of Brazilian rate hikes 22nd July 2010 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Retail Sales (Jun.) June’s official retail sales figures suggested that the prospect of the sharpest fiscal tightening in decades hasn’t stopped consumers spending yet. But we doubt that this strength can last. 22nd July 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Flash PMIs (Jul.) July’s rise in the euro-zone composite PMI suggests that, for now at least, the region is (perhaps surprisingly) evading the threat of a double-dip recession apparently facing the US and UK. 22nd July 2010 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response All Industry Activity Index (May) Japan's equity markets have taken their lead today from the overnight weakness in the US and the strength of the yen, but the May activity index at least was consistent with another healthy gain in... 22nd July 2010 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update Gold market needs some fresh impetus soon The price of gold already includes a large premium for the precious metal’s status as a refuge from economic and financial uncertainty. With inflation risks still low, it would now take a major new... 21st July 2010 · 1 min read
