Emerging Europe Data Response Russia Activity Data (May) The strength of May’s Russian activity data, coupled with upwards revisions to the industrial output figures, suggests that GDP growth picked up to more than 2% y/y, compared with the latest estimate... 20th June 2018 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Russian central bank to slow (but not end) easing cycle Govenor Nabiullina’s hawkish comments at today’s post-meeting press conference are likely to reinforce views in the markets that the central bank’s easing cycle is at an end. For our part, we think... 15th June 2018 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Is Russia’s demographic squeeze (finally) being tackled? The announcement that Russia’s Cabinet plans to raise the retirement age is a step in the right direction. While there are question marks about whether it will be implemented in full, it could stop... 14th June 2018 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Russia and the sanctions impact The imposition of more stringent US financial sanctions in April seems to have resulted in a long-lasting premium in Russia’s currency and bond market. But there has been little convincing evidence of... 5th June 2018 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Data Response Russia CPI (May) Russian inflation was unchanged at 2.4% y/y in May, providing further evidence that the ruble’s fall in April has not led to a build-up in price pressures. This should give the central bank confidence... 5th June 2018 · 1 min read
Global Central Bank Watch Geopolitics more likely to affect ECB than the Fed For now, we don’t expect the geopolitical developments to alter the behaviour of the major central banks. Provided that the political crisis in Italy does not flare up again, we think the ECB is... 1st June 2018 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Data Response Russia Activity Data (Apr.) The latest Russian activity figures suggest that GDP growth picked up to about 1.5% y/y at the start of Q2. These data also provide early evidence that the tightening of US sanctions and the fall in... 22nd May 2018 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Data Response Russia GDP (Q1 2018) Russian GDP expanded by a weaker-than-expected 1.3% y/y in Q1, but the data do at least confirm that the economy is recovering from its slowdown in late 2017. And we think growth will strengthen by... 16th May 2018 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Data Response Russia CPI (Apr.) The weaker-than-expected Russian inflation figure for April, of 2.4% y/y, supports our view that the central bank’s decision to hold interest rates last week was just a pause in the easing cycle. We... 4th May 2018 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update CBR signals rate cuts still on the cards, despite ruble sell-off The sell-off in the ruble caused the Russian central bank (CBR) to pause its easing cycle today, but the dovish tone of the accompanying statement supports our view that rates are likely to be lowered... 27th April 2018 · 1 min read
Industrial Metals Update Aluminium price has further to fall The US Treasury’s decision to soften its position on sanctions against Russian aluminium producer, Rusal, has sent the price of aluminium tumbling in the past couple of days. We think that prices will... 25th April 2018 · 1 min read
Commodities Weekly Rising tensions boost prices Geopolitical concerns continued to be the main driver of commodities prices this week. In particular, fears that US sanctions could be broadened to include Russian producer, Nornickel, buoyed the... 20th April 2018 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Data Response Russia Activity Data (Mar.) Russian activity figures for March were generally quite soft, but it still looks like overall GDP growth picked up to about 2.0% y/y in Q1 from 0.9% y/y in Q4. The turmoil in local financial markets... 18th April 2018 · 1 min read
Commodities Weekly Sanctions on Russia send aluminium soaring Geopolitical concerns intensified this week and led to sharp increases in those commodities at risk of disruptions to supply. In particular, the price of aluminium surged following the announcement of... 13th April 2018 · 1 min read
Precious Metals Update PGMs caught up in panic over Russian sanctions The US sanctions against Russia have supported the prices of platinum and palladium this week. However, Russian output is unlikely to be affected. This, coupled with weakening demand fundamentals... 13th April 2018 · 1 min read
Commodities Update Aluminium bears the brunt of US sanctions on Russia Aluminium is the only commodity which has been directly affected by the latest round of sanctions on Russia, but even there we think that the boost to prices will be temporary. Instead, the surge in... 12th April 2018 · 1 min read
