Europe Data Response Euro-zone GDP (Q1) & Industrial Production (Mar.) Q1’s modest rise in euro-zone GDP confirms that the economic recovery in the region has failed to gain any real momentum even before the painful fiscal consolidation faced by many economies has begun. 12th May 2010 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update What next for gold? Gold prices have risen further than we had anticipated, but we still expect them to end the year much lower. Persistent fears over public debt and the health of the financial system in the major... 11th May 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Iberian economies still facing an uphill struggle The bold measures announced by European policymakers at the weekend may have reduced the chance of financial market meltdown. But this does not change our fundamental view that the Iberian Peninsula... 11th May 2010 · 1 min read
UK Commercial Property Update Higher pound unlikely to prompt overseas investor exodus We think that a stronger exchange rate over the next year or so is a very real prospect. If that is right, fears may arise of an exodus of overseas investors from the UK commercial property market. We... 11th May 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Will German funds accelerate the investment market recovery? In the short-term, March’s €535 million net inflow into German open-ended property funds is likely to boost European commercial property investment volumes and may add to the downwards pressure on... 11th May 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Australia targets a quick return to surplus Today’s Federal Budget in Australia was a low-key affair even in the context of an imminent general election which will be a close contest. The aim of moving back to a fiscal surplus by 2012-13, some... 11th May 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Turkish fiscal rule offers hope, but onus still on policymakers Today’s announcement of a seemingly well-designed and sensible fiscal rule in Turkey is an encouraging sign that the government is trying to get to grips with the public finances. But while a rules... 11th May 2010 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update What's really behind the weakness in bank lending? Claims that the current weakness of bank lending is due to the poaching of deposits by Japan Post make no sense. The real reason is the lack of demand for this type of credit. 11th May 2010 · 1 min read
UK Data Response UK Industrial Production (Mar.) March’s industrial production figures confirmed that the industrial sector expanded strongly in the first quarter of the year. But industry is not big enough to drive a solid recovery in the overall... 11th May 2010 · 1 min read
China Economics Update No sign inflation is picking up Inflation pressures remain low in China. There are signs in the April data that the boost that stimulus policies have provided to consumer spending is easing. But for now, the recovery still looks... 11th May 2010 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response RICS Housing Market Survey (Apr.) The softer tone evident in most of the RICS housing market balances since the turn of the year was partially reversed in April. It will be at least another month or two, however, before we know... 11th May 2010 · 1 min read
Japan Chart Pack Economic recovery helping to ease fiscal worries (May 10) The continued strength of the economic recovery is one important reason why market confidence in Japan’s ability to finance its huge public debt has remained fairly high. GDP appears to have grown at... 10th May 2010 · 1 min read
Latin America Economic Outlook Fundamentals remain good but growth set to slow in 2011 (Q2 10) The economic resurgence in Latin America is likely to stay strong for a while yet. Brazil and Peru should remain the region’s best performers – we expect both to expand by 6% this year. Mexico, Chile... 10th May 2010 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Is the People's Bank signalling a policy shift? Contrary to some suggestions doing the rounds in the media and the markets, China’s central bank has not shifted its position on exchange rate policy in its latest quarterly report. 10th May 2010 · 1 min read
