China Economics Update Cooling, not overheating At first glance, today’s GDP data might suggest China is overheating. However, the acceleration in y/y growth in Q1 was entirely due to weakness a year ago. Growth has continued to slow in q/q terms... 15th April 2010 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update Could Japan sustain growth of 2%? The Japanese government is banking on average annual GDP growth of at least 2% over the next ten years to help bring public debt back under control. This would be well above most estimates of Japan’s... 15th April 2010 · 1 min read
China Economics Update First thoughts on the Qinghai earthquake The death toll from today’s earthquake in Western China is likely to rise as more details come in. The affected region is among China’s poorest and, perversely, rescue and recovery efforts could end... 14th April 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Asian currencies to rise further Resumed renminbi appreciation against the dollar looks only a matter of time. Other currencies in Emerging Asia should rise too but the overall impact of a move by China should be small. The Korean... 14th April 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Korea’s labour market strengthens Bank of Korea (BoK) Governor Kim shares the government view that policy rate rises should be delayed until the labour market improves significantly. The large employment gain in March, reported today... 14th April 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Portugal warnings underline broader fiscal problems The European Commission’s warnings about Portugal’s budget plans are a timely reminder that the euro-zone’s fiscal crisis extends well beyond Greece. 14th April 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Central Bank of Turkey sets out its exit strategy Earlier today the Central Bank of Turkey (CBRT) outlined its exit strategy from the additional liquidity measures it introduced during the economic crisis. These include plans to switch to a new... 14th April 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Industrial Production (Feb.) On the face of it, February’s euro-zone industrial production figures confirm that the sector continues to expand at a healthy pace. But there are several reasons why these figures should be treated... 14th April 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Singapore firing on all cylinders Preliminary Q1 GDP data from Singapore were stunningly strong and, as we had expected, encouraged the authorities to tighten monetary policy by allowing the currency to appreciate. Economic growth... 14th April 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update The broader implications of the Greek bail-out Opinions on the broader implications of the Greek rescue package for the future of the euro-zone not surprisingly differ widely. But the conditions that made the bail-out necessary will have a... 14th April 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update German office rents least at risk from excess supply Although the risk from new supply is less than in previous cycles, completions in all the major Western European office markets are likely to push vacancy rates up this year. This will keep rental... 14th April 2010 · 1 min read
