Metals Chart Pack Investor interest on the wane A stronger US dollar on the back of renewed expectations that the Fed will hike rates by the end of the year weighed on the prices of most industrial and precious metals last month. The only metals... 5th September 2016 · 1 min read
Commodities Chart Pack Dollar strength weighs on commodities The prices of most commodities retreated in late August as the dollar strengthened on the back of renewed expectations that the Fed will raise rates this year. That said, activity data out of China... 1st September 2016 · 1 min read
DM Markets Chart Pack Are US equities set for a rougher ride? Although a lack of volatility in the US stock market has often given way to amajor correction, we don’t interpret the recent low level of the VIX index as asign that equity prices are about to plummet... 1st September 2016 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Egyptian pound could fall 25% if central bank loosens its grip We think the Egyptian pound could fall by as much as 25% against the US dollar, to 12.0/US$, by end-2017 if the authorities shift to a more flexible exchange rate as part of its prospective IMF deal. 1st September 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Asian markets calm following Yellen’s comments Asian financial markets generally shrugged off last Friday’s comments from US Fed Chair Janet Yellen, in which she suggested the likelihood of an early rate hike in the US has increased. 31st August 2016 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Ukrainian markets come under pressure once again It’s been a very calm month for financial markets in most of Emerging Europe. One exception, however, is Ukraine where renewed tensions with Russia have caused the currency to weaken and dollar bond... 31st August 2016 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update What conditions will be attached to Egypt’s IMF deal? The Egyptian authorities seem close to securing an IMF deal, but the conditions attached to lending have been a stumbling block to a bailout in the past and opposition has already started to emerge... 31st August 2016 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Currencies take Yellen comments in their stride Currencies in Latin America have edged down against the dollar since Fed Chair Janet Yellen left the door open to a hike in US interest rates this year in her Jackson Hole speech, but the moves have... 30th August 2016 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update Are record “shorts” a new threat to sterling? Non-commercial participants, sometimes described as “speculators”, are now running a record number of short positions in the pound against the dollar, according to US data. However, this alone does... 30th August 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Sri Lanka holds rates, but further tightening still likely The central bank in Sri Lanka (CBSL) today left interest rates on hold despite a continued acceleration in credit growth, high inflation and a weak currency. We think another interest rate hike is... 30th August 2016 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Markets stable one year after panic The rally in China’s stock markets appears to be running out of steam. Meanwhile, further FX intervention by the PBOC has helped to keep the renminbi relatively stable against the US dollar, though it... 26th August 2016 · 1 min read
Energy Watch What does the rest of the year hold in store for oil prices? Oil prices are now back at around $50 per barrel (for Brent) but they have been volatile over the last few months. Speculation about a deal to freeze output, high stocks and outages in production have... 25th August 2016 · 1 min read
Australia & New Zealand Chart Pack Currencies remain a concern While the recent fall in the cash rate to record lows in Australia and New Zealand should help to support household spending, the effect on other areas of the economy may be more limited. For one, we... 24th August 2016 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update Why aren’t the markets more worried about the renminbi? China’s currency continues to weaken and has now fallen by around 7% on a trade-weighted basis this year. But while past episodes of renminbi (RMB) depreciation have rattled global markets, they have... 23rd August 2016 · 1 min read
India Chart Pack Two major reasons for cheer Over the past month, two key developments in India have given investors reason to cheer. The first is the passage of the long-awaited Goods and Services Tax (GST) bill, which could bring huge benefits... 23rd August 2016 · 1 min read
Africa Economic Outlook Gradual acceleration, but recovery will be slow After two years of progressively slower growth, most African economies will strengthen in 2017. This recovery will be driven by rising commodity prices, which should ease strains in the balance of... 22nd August 2016 · 1 min read
