Asia Economics Weekly Korea: Plans to reduce inequality may cause growth to slow Since becoming president of South Korea in May, Moon Jae-in has introduced a range of measures aimed at reducing inequality and cutting youth unemployment. Moon’s policies are likely to boost growth... 4th August 2017 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Kenya: Election poses key risk to already slowing economy The risk of violence following next week’s election is rising. A repeat of the 2007-08 crisis would cut about 3.0%-pts off GDP growth in Q3; the total cost would depend on the length of the... 4th August 2017 · 1 min read
Global Economics Chart Pack Strong growth continues at start of Q3… Business surveys suggest that, after picking up in the second quarter, the world economy started Q3 on a strong footing. The upturn in Q2 was concentrated in advanced economies and was led by... 3rd August 2017 · 1 min read
Europe Chart Pack Sharp rise in euro weighs on equities The euro has risen sharply over the past month and in early August reached its highest level against the US dollar since early 2015. Strikingly, the rise has occurred against a backdrop of broadly... 3rd August 2017 · 1 min read
Precious Metals Update Q2 & H1 2017 World Gold Council Demand Trends Global gold demand fell to the lowest level since 2009 in the first half of 2017. Higher prices, fading geopolitical risks and soft jewellery fabrication were the main factors behind the weakness in... 3rd August 2017 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Update Is remortgaging set to surge? The factors holding back remortgaging are unlikely to give way soon, meaning that recent gains probably aren’t the start of a fresh surge in activity. That said, with so many borrowers sitting on... 3rd August 2017 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Czech MPC starts gradual tightening cycle The statement accompanying the Czech MPC’s meeting, at which it hiked interest rates for the first time in nine years, was relatively dovish and adds to the impression that this will be a gradual... 3rd August 2017 · 1 min read
Global Markets Outlook Rational exuberance We don’t think that the valuations of many risky assets have become unsustainably high. This is because their rise has been supported by a structural decline in real interest rates, which is likely to... 3rd August 2017 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Hawks to remain in the minority for a while longer While the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) remained split on whether to increase interest rates at August’s meeting, the hawks are likely to remain in a minority for a while longer yet. Nonetheless, we... 3rd August 2017 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack Economy makes a reasonable start to Q3 After a fairly meagre 0.3% expansion in Q2, the economy looks to have made a reasonable start to Q3. Indeed, rises in both the manufacturing and services sector PMIs in July left the all-sector PMI... 3rd August 2017 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Markit/CIPS Services PMI (Jul.) After the recent run of softer economic news, the improvement in the Markit/CIPS services survey in July provides reassurance that the economy has maintained the momentum it gathered over Q2. 3rd August 2017 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Retail Sales (Jun.) & Final PMIs (Jul.) June’s rise in euro-zone retail sales capped a strong quarter and suggests that household spending growth picked up in Q2. Although July’s final euro-zone Composite PMI implies that broader economic... 3rd August 2017 · 1 min read
India Economics Update Political strength puts onus on PM Modi to step up on reform Recent developments have strengthened the ruling BJP’s hand in the Rajya Sabha (the upper house of parliament). This should help to ease the passage of economic reforms, provided that Prime Minister... 3rd August 2017 · 1 min read
Energy Chart Pack Oil prices lead the way up It was generally good news for energy commodities in July. Oil prices jumped as stocks in the US slumped, the market grew concerned about the possibility of sanctions on Venezuela and the dollar fell... 3rd August 2017 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Taking stock of Poland’s controversial judicial reforms The Polish government’s controversial proposals to reform the judiciary have been met by a backlash both domestically and from the EU. In this Watch, we take a closer look at how the saga could play... 3rd August 2017 · 1 min read
