Emerging Europe Economics Update Latest oil price fall will keep inflation lower for longer Inflation still looks likely to rise in most EMs next year, despite the recent slump in oil prices. However, the rebound will now be more gradual, which will allow central banks in most economies to... 21st December 2015 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Kenya: Corruption revelations could signal improved oversight Widespread corruption has long impeded economic growth in Kenya. But while a recent wave of scandals has demoralised some, we believe that the frequent revelation of government malfeasance is a... 18th December 2015 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Activity Monitor EM growth steady as Fed starts to tighten Emerging market (EM) growth remained fairly stable in October, as it has for much of the year. Looking ahead, we expect EM growth to pick up a touch in 2016, even as the Fed tightens monetary policy. 17th December 2015 · 1 min read
Africa Chart Pack South Africa battered by self-induced crisis A recent series of unexpected cabinet reshuffles – in which South Africa had three finance ministers in four days – has dented the political and economic credibility of President Jacob Zuma. The rand... 14th December 2015 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Economics Update Fed tightening & EMs: what to watch for The likelihood that the Fed will begin to raise interest rates this week has sparked fresh concerns about the knock-on impact on emerging markets. However, we think that most EMs are now well placed... 14th December 2015 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Rand crisis brings prospect of higher inflation and rate hikes The surprise removal of South Africa’s respected finance minister has caused investors to reassess their views of South Africa’s struggling economy. Talk of an emergency rate hike is probably overdone... 11th December 2015 · 1 min read
Africa Economic Outlook Grim outlook for major economies, optimism elsewhere Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa’s two largest economies (Nigeria and South Africa) will remain depressed in 2016 but we expect better performances from the region’s smaller markets. Nigeria’s oil-focused... 11th December 2015 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Economics Chart Pack EM currencies stable as Fed lift-off approaches Relative calm in most EM currencies over the past month (the Colombian peso and Russian ruble being the obvious exceptions) supports our view that emerging markets are generally well placed to... 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
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
Emerging Markets Economics Focus Ten key calls for EMs in 2016 The EM world looks to have grown by its weakest pace since the global financial crisis in 2015, but things should start to improve next year. In this Focus we outline the ten key issues that we think... 9th December 2015 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update South Africa: Retail sales cannot support growth indefinitely Retail sales were surprisingly buoyant in October, but we do not believe that this is sustainable. We expect that South Africa’s economy will continue to perform poorly in 2016. 9th December 2015 · 1 min read
Metals Data Response South Africa’s Mine Production (Oct.) South Africa’s PGM production rose in October after three months of declines. However, labour disruptions and weak prices have forced the largest miners to restructure and cut their capital... 8th December 2015 · 1 min read
Africa Data Response South Africa Current Account (Q3) Data released this morning showed that South Africa’s current account deficit widened in Q3 as a result of higher domestic spending. 8th December 2015 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Financial Risk Monitor Most EMs well-placed to weather Fed tightening Our Capital Economics Risk Indicator (CERI) suggests that financial risks in the emerging world in aggregate are low and there is little to suggest that the onset of Fed tightening will trigger an EM... 4th December 2015 · 1 min read
Africa Data Response South Africa Business Confidence (Nov.) The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) business confidence index retreated to near its historic low in November, providing yet another sign that expectations of an improvement in... 3rd December 2015 · 1 min read
