UK Economics Update Is the recent surge in the money supply a concern? The recent surge in the money supply has caused some commentators to suggest that the MPC’s current monetary policy stance is far too loose. But we think that this rapid rise should prove to be... 29th September 2016 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Update Is Airbnb behind the high number of vacant homes? While the rising popularity of Airbnb may have worsened housing shortages in some cities, it is hard to blame the apartment sharing website on the nationally high level of vacant homes. Rather, homes... 29th September 2016 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Czech MPC signals mid-2017 CZK cap exit, rates to stay near zero The Czech MPC’s post-meeting press conference reinforced our view that it will lift the exchange rate ceiling around the middle of next year. We think it’s unlikely that the koruna will strengthen... 29th September 2016 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Financial Risk Monitor China still towards the top of EM worry list Our CERI suggests that financial risks for the average EM are the lowest in over 20 years. Even so, there are pockets of vulnerability. The CERI is flashing warning signs in Egypt, Colombia, Venezuela... 29th September 2016 · 1 min read
US Employment Report Preview Stronger payrolls may not be enough to cut unemployment We estimate that non-farm payroll employment increased by a slightly stronger 190,000 in September, but this would probably leave the unemployment rate unchanged at 4.9%. 29th September 2016 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Resilient Chinese economy supports prices Industrial metals prices have profited in the last month from relatively upbeat economic data out of China as well as the Fed’s decision not to raise interest rates just yet. We expect China’s economy... 29th September 2016 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response German Flash CPI (Sep.) September’s rise in German inflation to +0.5% suggests that euro-zone inflation rose to a 23-month high in the same month. But in Germany at least, the rise reflected energy effects while underlying... 29th September 2016 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update An anatomy of Brazil’s recession The depth of Brazil’s recession has been blamed on everything from lower global commodity prices and tightening domestic credit conditions to poor infrastructure and excessive red tape. But this... 29th September 2016 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response EC Business & Consumer Survey (Sep.) While the EC Business and Consumer Survey revealed a rise in sentiment in September, it still suggests that growth remains moderate and inflation expectations are weak. 29th September 2016 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Household Borrowing Monitor (Aug.) The latest data suggest that gold buying from the official sector recovered somewhat in August but overall demand in the year to date remains subdued. That said, we think that the case for gold as a... 29th September 2016 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Saudi Arabia: first thoughts on the implications of the OPEC deal Last night’s OPEC deal to cut output is short on details, although our sense is that it’s unlikely to be a game-changer for Saudi Arabia, even if it shoulders most of the burden of the fall in... 29th September 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Taiwan’s central bank to resume easing cycle next year Taiwan’s central bank (CBC) kept its policy rate on hold today at 1.375%, but with growth likely to remain subdued and inflationary pressures very weak, we think it will resume its easing cycle soon. 29th September 2016 · 1 min read
OPEC Watch OPEC deal not a game-changer for oil markets Last night’s surprise OPEC announcement that it will limit output caused prices to surge. But the lack of details, OPEC’s poor record of compliance with its own quotas and the potential for shale... 29th September 2016 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response Mortgage Lending (Aug. 16) Mortgage approvals edged down further in August as the referendum hit to buyer confidence continued to feed through to lending. While confidence is slowly returning as it becomes clear that the... 29th September 2016 · 1 min read
UK Commercial Property Data Response Lending to commercial property (Aug 16.) At minus £325m in August, the fall in net lending to the property sector onlyreversed a small part of the previous three months’ gains. And with the initial fears that the out-vote would lead to a... 29th September 2016 · 1 min read