US Economics Update Low level of jobless claims too good to be true We are sceptical that the decline in initial jobless claims to a 50-year low is providing a reliable guide to current labour market conditions. In recent years, a number of states have made it more... 17th April 2019 · 1 min read
Europe Economic Outlook Economic growth to remain weak GDP growth in the euro-zone is likely to be only slightly stronger this year than in the second half of 2018. Hopes for a sharp rebound in export demand will probably be disappointed, meaning that the... 17th April 2019 · 1 min read
Energy Data Response US Weekly Petroleum Status Report The collapse in US net imports drove crude oil stocks lower last week. We expect further slides in crude stocks as the maintenance season for refineries ends. 17th April 2019 · 1 min read
EM Markets Chart Pack EM corporate earnings likely to disappoint The rally in EM equities has continued over the past month, seemingly driven by the view that recent weakness in the global economy will not last, as policymakers in the US and China in particular... 17th April 2019 · 1 min read
Bank of Canada Watch Policy on hold, but rate cuts coming The weakness of the recent business surveys suggests that the Bank of Canada will strike a dovish tone at its meeting next week. The Bank is unlikely to start talking about interest rate cuts just yet... 17th April 2019 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Economics Update Emerging Markets Capital Flows Monitor (Mar.) Our Tracker suggests that overall EM capital outflows eased markedly in Q1. However, we think that positive sentiment towards EMs will start to turn over the coming quarters as worries about weak... 17th April 2019 · 1 min read
Capital Daily Chinese equities likely to fare badly, even if economy stabilises 17th April 2019 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Widening Moroccan CA deficit not a cause for alarm Morocco’s current account deficit ballooned to its largest level in four years in Q4, but we think that this is temporary and that the shortfall will narrow this year. 17th April 2019 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Swiss office rents to rise, but challenges aplenty Demand for CBD space is starting to reignite prime rental growth in Geneva and Zurich. But a weakening economy and competition from new, well-connected developments will limit further gains in rents. 17th April 2019 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Indonesia: Jokowi will struggle to revive economy The two key economic challenges facing President Joko Widodo in his second term are boosting GDP growth and reducing Indonesia’s external vulnerabilities. We don’t think he will succeed in either. 17th April 2019 · 1 min read
US Data Response International Trade (Feb.) After falling sharply in January, the trade deficit declined a little further in February thanks to a jump in civilian aircraft exports and a subdued gain in imports. Neither of those are particularly... 17th April 2019 · 1 min read
Canada Data Response Consumer Prices (Mar.) & International Trade (Feb.) Recent declines in capacity constraints and inflation expectations suggest that March’s pick-up in core inflation is likely to be reversed before long. Meanwhile, the slump in export volumes in... 17th April 2019 · 1 min read
Commodities Outlook Short-term pain, long-term gain We think that the prices of most commodities will fall this year as global economic growth remains weak and investor risk aversion returns. While policy in China has become more accommodative, it is... 17th April 2019 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Argentine policymakers beginning to panic The decision by Argentina’s central bank to limit the extent to which the nominal exchange rate will be allowed to weaken this year raises the risk that the peso becomes overvalued. Meanwhile, the... 17th April 2019 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update South Africa: Economy faltered in early 2019 Retail sales figures for February added to the evidence that South Africa’s economy struggled in the first months of the year. Growth will probably pick up later this year, but it will remain weak... 17th April 2019 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Consumer & Producer Prices (Mar.) The surprising softness of CPI inflation in March (it stayed at 1.9%) suggests that weak demand on the high street as Brexit uncertainty reached its peak may have forced retailers to discount their... 17th April 2019 · 1 min read