Commodities Update Investors turn positive on oil The recent rally in the oil price has been fuelled by speculation that output will be curtailed and, as such, may lose steam if no deal is forthcoming. Meanwhile, the combination of a somewhat weaker... 23rd August 2016 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response New Home Sales (Jul. 2016) Against expectations, new home sales surged in July to reach their highest level in over eight years. But that has caused market conditions to tighten even further. And, with housing starts stalling... 23rd August 2016 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Flash PMIs (Aug.) Preliminary survey data for August, which were published today, suggest that economic growth remained slow but steady in advanced economies. Meanwhile, alternative survey evidence for the UK has been... 23rd August 2016 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Rate cuts in Hungary could come back onto the cards The statement accompanying the Hungarian MPC’s meeting earlier today, at which the policy rate was left on hold at 0.90%, gave no sign that monetary easing is on the Council’s agenda. But we think... 23rd August 2016 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Africa: Japan’s role will remain limited This week’s high-profile Japan-Africa summit will not change the fact that Tokyo remains a relatively minor player in Africa. In some areas, however, Japan will continue to play a significant role. 23rd August 2016 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update Why aren’t the markets more worried about the renminbi? China’s currency continues to weaken and has now fallen by around 7% on a trade-weighted basis this year. But while past episodes of renminbi (RMB) depreciation have rattled global markets, they have... 23rd August 2016 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Turkish MPC cuts rates, looks through dire inflation outlook The decision by the Turkish MPC to cut its overnight lending rate by a further 25bp, to 8.5%, provides further evidence that the Council is paying scant regard to its inflation target and more... 23rd August 2016 · 1 min read
UK Data Response CBI Industrial Trends Survey (Aug.) The relatively upbeat tone of August’s CBI Industrial Trends Survey gives us another reason to be tentatively optimistic about the extent to which the economy has taken a hit from the referendum... 23rd August 2016 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Flash PMIs (Aug) August’s slight rise in the euro-zone Composite PMI suggests that, while the region has so far weathered the UK’s Brexit vote, economic conditions remain fairly subdued. 23rd August 2016 · 1 min read
India Chart Pack Two major reasons for cheer Over the past month, two key developments in India have given investors reason to cheer. The first is the passage of the long-awaited Goods and Services Tax (GST) bill, which could bring huge benefits... 23rd August 2016 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Flash Manufacturing PMI (Aug.) The third straight rise in the manufacturing PMI suggests that the sector is coping quite well with the sharp strengthening of the exchange rate since the start of the year. 23rd August 2016 · 1 min read
Latin America Data Response Peru GDP (Q2) The slowdown in Peruvian GDP growth in Q2 was due to a weakening of domestic demand. But, with the new government intent on loosening fiscal policy to stimulate the economy, we doubt the slowdown will... 22nd August 2016 · 1 min read
Metals Data Response Global Steel Production (Jul.) World Steel Association (WSA) data, released this afternoon, show a 1.4% y/y rise in global steel output in July as higher Asian output more than offset lower production at EU and US steelmakers. That... 22nd August 2016 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Data Response Saudi Arabia Consumer Prices (Jul.) Saudi inflation edged down in July to its lowest rate this year, at 3.8% y/y, and further ahead the weakness of economic activity means that headline inflation will fall further over the next twelve... 22nd August 2016 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Will Portugal be excluded from the ECB’s QE programme? The sharp rise in Portugal’s bond yields last week reflected justified concerns about the government’s credit rating. While the Government intends to stick to the EU’s fiscal rules, slow economic... 22nd August 2016 · 1 min read
