Asia Data Response Taiwan GDP (Q2 Advanced) Taiwan’s economy slowed in Q2 but with global demand set to remain healthy and policy supportive, we expect growth to rebound in the second half of the year. 28th July 2017 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Colombia slows pace of easing, but significant rate cuts still likely The statement accompanying the Colombian central bank’s decision to slow the pace of interest rate cuts to 25bp (from 50bp previously) suggests that policy might not be loosened as aggressively in the... 28th July 2017 · 1 min read
UK Data Response GfK/NOP Consumer Confidence (Jul.) Despite growing concerns about the economic outlook, consumers remain upbeat about their own financial position. As a result, we still think that the slowdown in household spending growth this year... 28th July 2017 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Data Response Swedish GDP (Q2) & Swiss KOF (Jul.) Sweden’s exceptionally strong GDP growth was driven entirely by domestic demand and highlights the need for monetary policy normalisation. Meanwhile, July’s rise in the Swiss KOF points to a pick-up... 28th July 2017 · 1 min read
Australia & New Zealand Economics Weekly Is inflation really just 1.9%? Most people are right to believe that their inflation rate is not 1.9% as the official ABS data show. As different people spend different shares of their income on different items than the ABS assumes... 28th July 2017 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Renminbi strengthens further against US dollar The Hong Kong dollar has continued to slide against the US dollar in recent weeks and may soon run into the buffers of the HKMA’s exchange rate band. The renminbi, by contrast, has been appreciating... 27th July 2017 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Logicor sale distorts strength of Q2 European investment The 15% annual rise in European (ex. UK) Q2 investment was wholly dependent on the logistics sector. Indeed, activity in the office and retail sectors fell. But with investors in a buoyant mood, 2017... 27th July 2017 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response Homeownership & Vacancy Rates (Q2) The homeownership rate hit a three year high in the second quarter, as a strong labour market contributed to a gradual rise in the number of first-time buyers. But the fact that the homeowner vacancy... 27th July 2017 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Stocks of most metals edge lower Exchange stocks of most metals fell over the last month. With the exception of copper and tin, inventories are now substantially lower than at the start of the year, pointing to tightening markets... 27th July 2017 · 1 min read
US Employment Report Preview Strong payrolls will keep unemployment rate on downward trend We expect a 200,000 increase in non-farm payrolls in July, which should have been enough to push the unemployment rate back down to 4.3%. As labour market conditions tighten further, we expect wage... 27th July 2017 · 1 min read
US Data Response Durable Goods (Jun.) The 6.5% m/m rise in headline durable goods orders in June was flattered by a 131% surge in the ever-volatile commercial aircraft category. But the underlying details were also fairly encouraging and... 27th July 2017 · 1 min read
Energy Update Strong export demand to support US natural gas prices A surge in demand for US natural gas from Mexico and Canada as well as bourgeoning shipments of LNG to Europe and Asia should give a boost to natural gas prices over the next year. 27th July 2017 · 1 min read
BoE Watch Sluggish GDP growth to keep hawks in a minority While the softer tone of recent economic data may not be enough to prevent another split on the Monetary Policy Committee at August’s meeting, it supports our view that the MPC is still a way away... 27th July 2017 · 1 min read
RBI Watch Rate cut not a foregone conclusion Financial markets and a large majority of analysts are braced for a rate cut at the Reserve Bank of India’s policy meeting next week. But the RBI has developed a taste for springing surprises recently... 27th July 2017 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Turkish MPC stands pat, but rate cuts likely later this year The tone of the Turkish MPC statement published at today’s meeting remained relatively hawkish, but we think that falling inflation is likely to prompt the Council to start loosening monetary policy... 27th July 2017 · 1 min read
