UK Economics Weekly Political change won’t alter economic and fiscal constraints Once a fuller picture of the results emerges later today and tomorrow, yesterday’s local elections could be historic as it could bring an end to Starmer’s tenure as Prime Minister and highlight that... 8th May 2026 · 6 mins read
Europe Economics Weekly Would ECB rate hikes be a mistake? With interest rate hikes by the ECB looking likely, we are often asked whether this would be a mistake, with unfavourable comparisons made to previous ECB monetary policy decisions. But there are... 8th May 2026 · 6 mins read
Europe Rapid Response German Industrial Production (March 2026) The weakness of German industrial production in March may have little to do with the Iran war as electricity prices for industry did not rise and output in energy-intensive industry held up well. But... 8th May 2026 · 2 mins read
Japan Economics Weekly Risks remain tilted towards BoJ holding its fire We suspect the Bank of Japan won't read too much into the slowdown in core inflation in Tokyo in April, nor will it see the recent rally in the yen as a precursor to softer imported inflation. However... 8th May 2026 · 4 mins read
Asia Economics Update Philippines: stagflation nation The Philippines is going through a period of stagflation, with a combination of slowing (and very weak) GDP growth and high and rising inflation placing the central bank in an unenviable position... 7th May 2026 · 3 mins read
Australia & New Zealand Chart Pack ANZ Chart Pack (May 2026) Our ANZ Chart Pack has been updated with the latest data and our analysis of recent developments. Inflation will rise well above target in both Australia and New Zealand as a result of the oil price... 7th May 2026 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update El Niño could compound effects of the Iran war shock An El Niño in the second half of the year – as seems increasingly likely – would add to the upside pressures on food and energy prices stemming from the Iran war. The macroeconomic effects would be... 6th May 2026 · 5 mins read
US Rapid Response US ISM Services Index (Apr. 2026) The unchanged level of the ISM Services Prices Paid Index at 70.7 in April is not the worst outcome, given its manufacturing counterpart surged to a four-year high of 84.6 in the same month. Even so... 5th May 2026 · 2 mins read
China Rapid Response Hong Kong GDP (Q1 Preliminary) Hong Kong’s Q1 growth surprised significantly to the upside, with the economy expanding by 5.9% y/y, up from 3.8% in Q4. In seasonally adjusted, q/q terms, the economy grew by 2.9%, the fastest pace... 5th May 2026 · 2 mins read
Australia & New Zealand Economics Update RBA hikes again, but sees risks as more two-sided The RBA’s decision to hike rates again at its meeting today came as little surprise. In her post-meeting press conference, Governor Bullock argued that with policy settings mildly restrictive again... 5th May 2026 · 4 mins read
Japan Chart Pack Japan Chart Pack (May 26) Our Japan Chart Pack has been updated with the latest data and our analysis of recent developments. The government’s decision to cap gasoline prices means that inflation won’t rise far above the BoJ’s... 5th May 2026 · 1 min read
Australia & New Zealand Rapid Response Australia Household Spending (Mar./Q1 2026) With household spending holding up well in the face of the oil price shock, the RBA is unlikely to have major qualms about tightening policy further. 5th May 2026 · 2 mins read
Canada Economics Weekly Bank could still thread the (narrowing) policy needle We still see scope for the Bank of Canada to stall rate hikes until early next year given the looming CUSMA renegotiation and lack of major fiscal stimulus. However, with global oil benchmarks back... 1st May 2026 · 6 mins read
Europe Economics Update Gas prices and European competitiveness The increase in European gas prices caused by the Iran war has been much smaller than in 2022 but it will make European industry less competitive compared to the US. Within Europe, it will weigh on... 1st May 2026 · 3 mins read
Europe Economics Weekly The ECB’s balancing act Data released this week add to the evidence that the hit to the economy from higher energy prices could be a bit bigger than we have assumed in our baseline forecasts. But the upside risks to... 1st May 2026 · 6 mins read
