Emerging Markets Economics Update EM trade is performing well, but surveys look worrying The trade data available for March and April suggest that a large number of EMs have benefitted from a front-running of tariffs in recent months, particularly those across Asia (Taiwan, Vietnam and... 8th May 2025 · 4 mins read
UK Economics Update More UK rate cuts coming, but not as quickly as investors expected The Bank of England predictably cut interest rates from 4.50% to 4.25% today and gave the impression that it will continue to cut rates at the current pace of 25 basis points (bps) every quarter. As a... 8th May 2025 · 4 mins read
UK Economics Rapid Response Bank of England Announcement (8th May 2025) While cutting interest rates from 4.50% to 4.25% today, the Bank of England poured some cold water on the markets’ expectations that it is going to speed up the pace of rate cuts. As it happens, we no... 8th May 2025 · 3 mins read
Europe Rapid Response Riksbank Policy Announcement (May 2025) While the Riksbank left its policy rate unchanged at 2.25% today, policymakers indicated that a rate cut is likely this year given the weakness of the economy. We now think that they are likely to cut... 8th May 2025 · 2 mins read
UK Housing Market Rapid Response UK Halifax House Prices (Apr. 2025) The 0.3% m/m rise in Halifax house prices (consensus forecast -0.1% m/m, CE 0.0% m/m) provides tentative evidence that the falls in house prices are already in the past. That lends some support to our... 8th May 2025 · 3 mins read
Europe Rapid Response German Industrial Production (March) The big rise in German industrial output and orders in March confirms that conditions in the sector have stabilised in recent months. However, some of the strength might be due to tariff front running... 8th May 2025 · 2 mins read
UK Housing Market Update UK RICS Residential Market Survey (Apr. 2025) The housing market should pull out of its current funk in the coming months even if the Bank of England were to suggest later today that interest rates won’t fall as fast as the financial markets... 8th May 2025 · 3 mins read
UK Economics Chart Pack UK Economics Chart Pack (May 2025) Although our base case remains that the hit to UK GDP growth from US tariffs will be relatively small, the downside risks to our below consensus forecast for GDP growth of 0.8% in 2025 have increased... 7th May 2025 · 1 min read
UK Commercial Property Update UK single-family homes an attractive option for investors Single-family homes have outperformed other residential sectors over the past four years as a race for space and stretched homebuyer affordability have supported demand, at the same time as developers... 7th May 2025 · 4 mins read
Emerging Europe Rapid Response Czech Interest Rate Announcement (May) The Czech National Bank cut its policy rate by 25bp today, to 3.50%, but we think that this may mark the end of its easing cycle. Our forecast for the policy rate to remain on hold at 3.50% over the... 7th May 2025 · 2 mins read
Europe Commercial Property Update Euro-zone investment outlook downgraded given tariff uncertainty The gradual recovery in European investment continued in Q1 but going forward transaction totals are likely to be weak as a result of uncertainty around tariffs and the potential downside to property... 7th May 2025 · 3 mins read
Europe Rapid Response Euro-zone Retail Sales (March 2025) Euro-zone retail sales declined in March, reversing part of the increase in February. We expect spending growth to remain weak for the rest of the year as any support from lower interest rates is... 7th May 2025 · 2 mins read
UK Commercial Property Rapid Response S&P Global/ CIPS Construction PMI (Apr. 25) The headline CIPS construction PMI edged up to 46.6 in April, from 46.4 in March. That left the balance below 50 and consistent with a contracting construction sector. 7th May 2025 · 1 min read
Europe Rapid Response Sweden CPI (April) Sweden’s CPIF inflation was unchanged in April which will give the Riksbank little cause for concern going into its policy decision tomorrow. We expect it to keep the policy rate at 2.25%. 7th May 2025 · 1 min read