UK Economics Update Input cost weakness means MPC is in no rush to hike The MPC’s decision to leave interest rates on hold again today highlights how the UK is set to tread the middle path between a loosening ECB and a tightening US Fed. A further fall in oil prices and a... 10th December 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Ireland GDP (Q3) Ireland’s impressive recovery continued in Q3. And with the conditions in place for continued rapid growth, it is set to remain the euro-zone’s fastest-growing economy. 10th December 2015 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Trade Monitor Contraction in EM exports to ease in 2016 EM export revenues are on track to fall by a trillion dollars (equivalent to about 3.5% of EM GDP) this year compared to 2014. Although exports are set to remain weak in 2016, we expect the pace of... 10th December 2015 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Argentina: a reform checklist Mauricio Macri will be sworn in as president of Argentina today against a backdrop of lofty expectations in financial markets for policy change. The lesson from other EMs is that big reforms tend to... 10th December 2015 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Trade (Oct.) October’s dismal trade figures provided further signs that the economic recovery has remained worryingly unbalanced in the fourth quarter. And the prospects for exports further ahead remain pretty dim... 10th December 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Swedish, Danish & Norwegian Consumer Prices (Nov.) November’s consumer prices data showed a continued divergence between the subdued rates of inflation in Sweden and Denmark and stronger price pressures in Norway, reflecting the recent depreciation of... 10th December 2015 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update South Africa: Finance minister’s sacking will spook investors The surprise removal of Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene is a very worrying development. Mr. Nene was a rare advocate of fiscal discipline, and his sacking adds to a string of increasingly autocratic... 10th December 2015 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response RICS Residential Market Survey (Nov.) The RICS survey revealed a slight deterioration in the number of homes for sale. Admittedly, buyer growth has slowed. But with the number of homes coming onto the market still falling, there are few... 10th December 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response French CPI (Nov.) & Industrial Production (Oct.) The renewed fall in France’s headline inflation rate in November highlights the absence of price pressures in the region’s second-largest economy. The weakness of the economy, underscored by the... 10th December 2015 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Data Response Egypt Consumer Prices (Nov.) The further rise in Egyptian inflation to 11.1% y/y in November, alongside fresh fears over the fragile external position, is likely to add to policymaker’s concerns. For now, we expect the central... 10th December 2015 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Malaysia Monthly Palm Oil Data (Nov.) Data released earlier today by Malaysia’s Palm Oil Board show that while palm oil production fell sharply in November, a large fall in exports pushed stocks higher. 10th December 2015 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Data Response Turkey GDP (Q3) The sharp pick-up in Turkish GDP growth in Q3, to 5.4% y/y, may help to alleviate some of the political pressure on the central bank to keep policy loose. This reinforces our view that the central... 10th December 2015 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Respite for the SNB, but fight against franc is not over With the ECB’s cautious action last week reducing upward pressure on the franc against the euro, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) was able to leave policy on hold as expected today. But we still think... 10th December 2015 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Bank of Korea to keep rates on pause through 2016 With the domestic economy on the mend, the Bank of Korea (BoK) left its policy rate unchanged at a record low of 1.50% today. We expect the BoK to keep rates at their current lows throughout 2016. 10th December 2015 · 1 min read
Australia & New Zealand Data Response Australia Labour Market (Nov.) November’s labour market data are either a major mirage or a minor miracle. We think that the truth lies somewhere in between, with conditions improving but not quite as much as the figures suggest. 10th December 2015 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update Are wages rising at a record pace? Despite suggestions that wages are now increasing at a record rate, wages have in fact barely increased at all this year. Looking ahead, we suspect that the upcoming spring wage negotiations will... 10th December 2015 · 1 min read
