UK Data Response Public Finances (May) May’s public finance figures continued the recent run of slightly better than expected news on the fiscal position. But the big picture is still that a major fiscal squeeze looms, with tough measures... 18th June 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Russian reforms a small step in the right direction In a speech to the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum this morning, President Medvedev unveiled a series of market-friendly reforms including changes to the capital gains tax regime and a... 18th June 2010 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Public Finances (May) May’s public finance figures continued the recent run of slightly better than expected news on the fiscal position. But the big picture is still that a major fiscal squeeze looms, with tough measures... 18th June 2010 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Focus Have households accelerated their mortgage repayments? Claims that households have begun to step up the rate at which they are paying back their mortgages do not look well founded. Rather, over the past year or so, repayments of mortgage principal have... 18th June 2010 · 1 min read
China Economics Update How many young workers are there? There may be 31 million fewer Chinese aged under 15 than previously thought. If so, the number of young workers will soon be falling rapidly, putting sustained upward pressure on wages. 18th June 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Romania’s property outlook is deteriorating Our recent GDP growth forecast downgrade for Romania has strong implications for its property market outlook. This Update analyses the prospects for rental values and yields this year and next. 18th June 2010 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update SNB to scale back currency intervention The SNB’s hints that it will scale back its currency intervention suggest that the franc is set to appreciate more sharply and interbank interest rates should rise back towards the Bank’s target of 0... 17th June 2010 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update What if the emergency Budget raises VAT? There is clearly a strong chance that Tuesday’s emergency Budget contains a rise in VAT. While this might make the MPC’s job a bit trickier, we doubt that it would push the Committee into raising... 17th June 2010 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update What if the emergency Budget raises VAT? There is clearly a strong chance that Tuesday’s emergency Budget contains a rise in VAT. While this might make the MPC’s job a bit trickier, we doubt that it would push the Committee into raising... 17th June 2010 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update Fiscal plans fall well short The manifestos for next month’s Upper House elections published today show a worrying lack of urgency or ambition in their commitments to sort out Japan’s dire public finances. In particular, the... 17th June 2010 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack Confidence wavers as fiscal squeeze looms (Jun 10) Although the latest news has been mixed, consumer spending on the whole appears to be holding up well. But there are other signs that cracks in the recovery are appearing, including recent falls in... 17th June 2010 · 1 min read
China Economics Update The view from the ground – Q2 2010 China’s businesses and banks are still confident and do not think the economy is overheating, but consumers are unhappy about prices and wages and reluctant to spend. Mortgage demand is down and few... 17th June 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Indonesia aims to manage capital inflows, not stop them Indonesia yesterday joined the regional trend and introduced new measures designed to reduce the volatility of capital flows and encourage foreign investment in longer term financial instruments. The... 17th June 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update SNB to scale back currency intervention The SNB’s hints that it will scale back its currency intervention suggest that the franc is set to appreciate more sharply and interbank interest rates should rise back towards the Bank’s target of 0... 17th June 2010 · 1 min read
