Asia Economics Update Is China still the US Treasury's best friend? The sustainability of China’s purchases of US Treasuries is once again being called into question. While the circumstances have shifted, much of the concern is familiar and still, we think, misguided. 4th February 2009 · 1 min read
Europe Chart Pack Industrial slump intensifies The recession in the euro-zone industrial sector has become even more severe. Production dropped by a further 1.6% m/m in November, leaving the annual growth rate at a record low of -7.7%. What’s more... 4th February 2009 · 1 min read
UK Economic Outlook Passing on higher import costs may prove impossible (Q1 09) The recession has gathered pace rapidly and we now expect consumer spending to drop by about 3.5% in real terms this year. Meanwhile, sterling’s sharp depreciation is an additional headache for... 4th February 2009 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update A bad bank isn't the answer either Chancellor Alistair Darling told the Treasury Select Committee yesterday that he is keeping open the option of creating a so-called “bad bank”, through which the Government would buy toxic assets from... 4th February 2009 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Retail Sales (Dec.) & Final Composite PMI (Jan.) 4th February 2009 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack Recession to be as severe as the early 1980s The preliminary estimate of GDP in the final quarter of last year confirmed that the economy has plunged into recession. The 1.5% quarterly drop in output in Q4 means that the economy contracted by... 4th February 2009 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Is China still the US Treasury’s best friend? The sustainability of China’s purchases of US Treasuries is once again being called into question. While the circumstances have shifted, much of the concern is familiar and still, we think, misguided. 4th February 2009 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Chart Pack Grim economic backdrop to accelerate house price falls (Feb 09) 3rd February 2009 · 1 min read
UK Commercial Property Update West End rents suffer most in 2008; the outlook is even bleaker We have long expected commercial property rental values to fall and, in our view, the decline of almost 1.5%y/y in 2008 is just the tip of the iceberg. With GDP set to shrink by 3% this year and by 1%... 3rd February 2009 · 1 min read
UK Commercial Property Data Response CIPS/Markit construction PMI (January) 3rd February 2009 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Central Bank of Russia set for showdown with speculators 3rd February 2009 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Mass destruction of household wealth to hit spending Recent suggestions that a recovery in real income growth as inflation drops will prevent a major downturn in household spending would seem to overlook the damaging impact of the recent sharp falls in... 2nd February 2009 · 1 min read
