Global Economics Update Trump, tariffs and potential trigger points The steel and aluminium import tariffs announced by the US yesterday are unlikely to have a major impact on emerging economies but fears that they might presage a broader shift towards protectionism... 2nd March 2018 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update How big a deal are the US tariffs? Steel and aluminium account for about 2% of world trade, so the direct impact on the global economy of the tariffs President Trump announced yesterday would be minimal. But the fact that they are... 2nd March 2018 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Global Manufacturing PMI (Feb.) Markit’s global manufacturing PMI once again held up close to a seven-year high in February, which sits well with our view that 2018 will be another strong year for global growth. 1st March 2018 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Cabinet consensus won’t unlock negotiations The “Canada plus, plus, plus” deal, including single market participation for some sectors, which UK Cabinet ministers reportedly agreed to this week is unlikely to be accepted by the EU in its... 23rd February 2018 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Could the Phillips Curve be L-shaped? Some economists have been considering whether, having been stubbornly low for years, wage inflation may take off as the world reaches full employment. This Update considers why this might occur. 23rd February 2018 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Flash PMIs (Feb.) Preliminary PMIs point to continued strong growth in advanced economies in February and are consistent with our view that the world economy will expand at a decent pace this year. 21st February 2018 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update South Africa: First thoughts on Zuma’s resignation The resignation of embattled South African President Jacob Zuma last night has provided a boost to local markets. His successor inherits an economy that is already well into a cyclical upswing. Over... 15th February 2018 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Monetary conditions little affected by market sell-off The sell-off in financial markets, which was triggered by a reassessment of the outlook for US inflation and interest rates, has meant that government bond yields have jumped. But these recent moves... 15th February 2018 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Is inflation about to take off? One explanation for the recent slump in equity and bond prices is that investors have become concerned that inflation is about to take off, forcing central bankers to tighten policy more rapidly than... 13th February 2018 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Transition period “not a given” This week saw negotiations resume for the first time since the EU Council agreed in December that talks could move on to a possible transition period. However, UK Government objections to some of the... 9th February 2018 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update How will the market moves affect the economy? The slump in equity markets would have to go a lot further to cause economic growth to slow significantly. That may yet happen, but for now prospects for global growth still look fairly bright. 6th February 2018 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Global Manufacturing PMI (Jan.) Markit’s global manufacturing PMI stayed closed to a seven-year high in January, suggesting that the momentum of the world economy carried over into the New Year. 1st February 2018 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Who’s afraid of a China slowdown? EMs in Latin America and Emerging Asia have benefitted most from China’s recovery over the past 18 months. These economies therefore have the most to lose if China begins to weaken again, although the... 31st January 2018 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Global growth prospects still bright, after strong Q4 National accounts data published in the past few days confirm that the world economy maintained its momentum in Q4 last year, and all the signs are that it has started 2018 on a strong note. We expect... 30th January 2018 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Flash PMIs (Jan.) The preliminary business surveys for January, published by Markit today, suggest that economic growth in advanced economies may have gained even more momentum at the beginning of the year. 24th January 2018 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Will blockchain live up to its hype? Even though Bitcoin is almost certainly a bubble, the blockchain technology underpinning it has much greater potential. That said, claims that it will be “the next internet” may be overdoing it. 23rd January 2018 · 1 min read
