Africa Economics Weekly Nigerian growth slows, MTN fined, Theresa May in Africa Nigeria’s economy slowed in Q2, despite stronger non-oil growth. More recently, an unexpectedly big fine imposed on MTN this week will raise questions about the country’s regulatory environment. The... 31st August 2018 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Weekly Growth probably slowed in Q3 This week’s activity data for July were rather weak. The 0.1% m/m rise in retail sales values wasn’t too bad given that sales had jumped by 1.4% m/m in June. But consumer goods prices rose by 0.7% m/m... 31st August 2018 · 1 min read
Australia & New Zealand Economics Weekly Rising mortgage rates, housing and the RBA Australia is still a very long way from a recession or a financial crisis, but this week’s news that Westpac is hiking its mortgage rates has raised the risk a bit. After all, higher mortgage rates... 31st August 2018 · 1 min read
China Data Response Official PMIs (Aug.) Today’s better-than-expected PMI readings suggest that output growth may have edged up last month. But the breakdown of the surveys point to a further weakening in demand, consistent with our view... 31st August 2018 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Labour Market & Ind. Prod. (Jul.) & Tokyo CPI (Aug.) The third consecutive decline in industrial production in July suggests that growth will slow in Q3. Meanwhile, the tight labour market is starting to boost price pressures. 31st August 2018 · 1 min read
Canada Data Response GDP (Q2 2018) The strong pace of growth in the second quarter, and a NAFTA deal if it materialises by Friday, will embolden policymakers. Nevertheless, the Bank of Canada is still likely to keep to its commitment... 30th August 2018 · 1 min read
Asia Chart Pack Asian currencies remain resilient Asian currencies have continued to hold up pretty well over the past few weeks despite the turmoil in EM currency markets. Since the start of August, the Korean won and the Thai baht have actually... 30th August 2018 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Household Borrowing Monitor (Jul.) July’s household borrowing figures provided signs that consumers’ appetite for unsecured borrowing is waning. But the fact that households remain upbeat about their financial position suggests that... 30th August 2018 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Activity Monitor EMs start Q3 on weaker note EM GDP growth appears to have been stronger over Q2 than it was in Q1. However, the monthly activity figures show that EMs were losing momentum at the end of Q2 and started Q3 on a weaker footing. 30th August 2018 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Data Response Economic Sentiment Indicators (Aug.) Our weighted-average of the Economic Sentiment Indicators for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) fell in August, adding to the evidence that GDP growth across the region has continued to weaken. 30th August 2018 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response EC Business & Consumer Survey (Aug.) Although the EC’s measure of euro-zone economic sentiment fell again in August, it remains at a high level and consistent with fairly strong growth. But underlying price pressures are building very... 30th August 2018 · 1 min read
Africa Chart Pack Turkey worries rock South Africa, less effect elsewhere Fears that financial turbulence in Turkey were the first sign of broader problems rumbled markets across the emerging world in August, with South Africa one of the hardest-hit. The country has Africa... 30th August 2018 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Data Response Swiss KOF & Swedish Econ. Tendency Indicator (Aug.) August’s surveys suggest that while economic growth is slowing in Switzerland, it remains very strong in Sweden. This is primarily due to differing conditions in the manufacturing sector, which might... 30th August 2018 · 1 min read
Australia & New Zealand Data Response Private Capex Survey (Q2) & Building Approvals (Jul.) Just 18 months after it got going, the recovery in private investment appears to be running out of steam. This partly explains why we estimate that GDP in the second quarter may have risen by just 0.5... 30th August 2018 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Retail Sales (Jul.) While retail sales values edged up in July, sales volumes declined. The upshot is that private consumption started Q3 on a soft note. 30th August 2018 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Turkey entering a steep recession The latest Turkish activity data suggest that the plunge in the lira since May, and the associated sharp tightening of financial conditions, has tipped the economy into recession. Things are only... 29th August 2018 · 1 min read
