China Economics Update Investment not as strong as meets the eye Nominal investment growth accelerated in Q1, leading to increased optimism over this year’s economic outlook. But adjusting the data for the jump in fixed asset price inflation suggests that... 18th April 2017 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Data Response Saudi Arabia Consumer Prices (Mar.) Saudi inflation stood in negative territory for a third consecutive month in March, but we continue to think a long and damaging bout of deflation should be avoided. 18th April 2017 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Economics likely to trump geopolitics Geopolitical concerns have boosted demand for safe-haven assets in the past week, and have pushed up measures of implied volatility in equity markets. But experience suggests that geopolitical events... 13th April 2017 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Chart Pack Activity surveys point to faster growth Activity surveys suggest that economic growth in the largest Nordic and Swiss economies is set to pick up. In Switzerland, the KOF Business Barometer points to annual GDP growth rising from Q4’s 0.6%... 13th April 2017 · 1 min read
Commodities Weekly Higher geopolitical tensions support gold prices, for now The further deterioration in the US relationship with Russia and North Korea this week has supported the prices of precious metals. A weaker dollar, in light of President Trump’s comments about the... 13th April 2017 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Weekly Bank won’t raise interest rates to cool housing speculation The Bank of Canada confessed this week that speculation is partly responsible for the recent upswing in house prices, but doesn’t believe that higher interest rates are a solution to the problem. The... 13th April 2017 · 1 min read
US Data Response UoM Consumer Confidence (Apr.) The small increase in the University of Michigan consumer sentiment index to a three-month high in April is further evidence that household spending growth will rebound in the second quarter. 13th April 2017 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Office conversions likely to fuel rental growth in Oslo Oslo’s house price boom is likely to indirectly support the office market, by driving a level of office-to-residential conversions that will almost equal the delivery of new office space in the next... 13th April 2017 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Euro-zone set for healthy Q1 despite weak industry The strength of economic survey indicators in Q1 has not yet been reflected in either the retail sales or industrial production data. But construction appears to have boomed and car registrations... 13th April 2017 · 1 min read
Canada Data Response Manufacturing Sales (Feb.) Although manufacturing sales values edged lower in February, the further gain in volumes and inventories suggest that production is gearing up for stronger export sales. This is a good sign that the... 13th April 2017 · 1 min read
US Economics Weekly Investment growth to pick up this year First quarter GDP growth is shaping up to be weak again this year, but one bright spot is likely to be a big increase in investment. The rebound in oil prices, continued recovery in the housing market... 13th April 2017 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Outlook Stuck in a rut The economic backdrop continues to look favourable, which will help to support buyer demand in the coming years. But with houses already so expensive, prices will need to rise slower than incomes if... 13th April 2017 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Brexit Watch: French election highlights negotiation time pressures While the political focus shifted away from Brexit and on to the French presidential election this week, UK labour market data and surveys of exporters suggest that the UK economy has remained... 13th April 2017 · 1 min read
Metals Data Response South Africa’s Mine Production (Feb.) South Africa’s overall mine production continued its recovery in February, as higher prices incentivised producers to raise output. The strength of the production data was broad-based, with gold the... 13th April 2017 · 1 min read
UK Economics Weekly Squeeze on real incomes won’t be too severe After two-and-a-half years of rising real wages, this week’s inflation and labour market figures confirmed that the pay squeeze has returned. And, with inflation rising faster than expected, some... 13th April 2017 · 1 min read
