Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Egypt keeps rates unchanged, but large hikes lie ahead The decision by Egypt’s central bank to keep its key interest unchanged at 11.75% today, despite the recent sharp rise in inflation, suggests that large rate hikes are only likely once an IMF deal is... 22nd September 2016 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update South Africa: MPC Statement hints tightening cycle complete Today’s statement from the South African Monetary Policy Committee suggests that rates in the country are no longer likely to be hiked later this year. 22nd September 2016 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Economics Chart Pack EM central banks remain in easing mode Emerging market policymakers have been in loosening mode in recent months, with our EM interest rate diffusion index showing that more EM central banks cut rates than hiked again in August. Rate cuts... 21st September 2016 · 1 min read
Frontier Markets Wrap Frontiers turn to international bond markets An increasing number of frontier markets are turning to the international bond markets as they look to paper over the cracks in their finances. Argentina got the ball rolling earlier this year when it... 21st September 2016 · 1 min read
Africa Data Response South Africa Consumer Prices (Aug.) August’s within-target inflation reading of 5.9% y/y makes it all but certain that the Reserve Bank will hold its key interest rate at 7.00% at its meeting tomorrow. 21st September 2016 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Nigeria: CBN ignores government, maintains tight policy The MPC’s decision to hold rates at 14.00%, thus rebuffing government calls for looser interest rates is an encouraging sign of the bank’s independence. We expect that rates will have to rise later... 20th September 2016 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Economics Update Tight fiscal policy to stifle recoveries in commodity producers The majority of governments in commodity-producing EMs are still in the process of adjusting to the new reality of lower commodity prices and are being forced to cut spending. Accordingly, while... 20th September 2016 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Nigeria: Early signs point to deepening contraction in Q3 Activity data for July and August suggest that the economic situation in Nigeria deteriorated going into the third quarter. The economy will probably continue to contract over the duration of 2016. 15th September 2016 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update South African economy losing steam in Q3 Output figures for July suggest that South Africa’s economy weakened a bit at the beginning of Q3. This supports our view that strong growth in Q2 was a brief rebound, not the beginning of a lasting... 14th September 2016 · 1 min read
Africa Data Response S. Africa Current Account (Q2) South Africa’s current account position improved by more than we’d expected in Q2, but the shortfall will still probably remain relatively wide over the coming year. 13th September 2016 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Economics Update Emerging Market Consumer Snapshot (Q3 2016) Emerging market consumer spending growth appears to have bottomed out in recent quarters, but the subsequent recovery will be slow going. While the immediate outlook is brightest in Emerging Asia and... 13th September 2016 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Ghana: Eurobond provides boost to confidence in fragile economy The successful launch of Ghana’s fifth Eurobond is a sign of the markets’ growing confidence in the country. While the economy remains fragile, we expect that the worst is now behind us. 12th September 2016 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Economics Update EM economies now less vulnerable to US rate hikes The sudden sell-off in EMs that started on Friday, triggered by hawkish comments from the head of the Boston Fed Eric Rosengreen, points to a turbulent period ahead for EM financial markets as the... 12th September 2016 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Trade Monitor EM exports stumble, but recovery will continue We think that one-off disruptions explain most of the fall in EM exports in July. More timely data already suggest that EM export growth was stronger in August. 9th September 2016 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Economics Update Emerging Markets Capital Flows Monitor (Aug.) Our Tracker shows that total capital outflows from the emerging world edged up to around $42bn in August from $38bn in July, but they remain well below their peak at the turn of the year. And inflows... 8th September 2016 · 1 min read
Metals Data Response South Africa’s Mine Production (Jul.) South Africa’s overall mine production remained subdued in July, dragged down by yet another fall in PGM output. However, the profitability of the PGM industry has continued to improve owing to higher... 8th September 2016 · 1 min read
