Global Markets Update Renminbi weakness needs to be seen in perspective The renewed slide in the renminbi against the US dollar may revive concerns about a broad-based devaluation of the Chinese currency. However, as we have argued before, context is everything, and here... 25th May 2016 · 1 min read
China Economics Update What is going on with the renminbi? In trade-weighted terms, the renminbi has regained some lost ground recently. But all the headlinesare about it falling to multi-year lows against the dollar. This underlines the difficult position... 25th May 2016 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update Will EM currencies underperform as the Fed hikes? Emerging market (EM) currencies have not always underperformed during Fed tightening cycles and we do not expect them to do so this time, even as US rates rise further than is generally anticipated 25th May 2016 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update Monetary Indicators Monitor (Apr.) Claims that the launch of negative interest rates has caused a flight to cash are exaggerated. However, there are clear signs that negative rates have lowered borrowing costs for Japan’s private... 25th May 2016 · 1 min read
India Chart Pack PM Modi's first two years end on a high note Two years on from his inauguration, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arguably just enjoyed his most successful month in office. For a start, PM Modi's BJP secured two important legislative victories... 25th May 2016 · 1 min read
EM Valuations Monitor Valuations could protect EM equities from the Fed While investors are still probably underestimating the future pace of monetary tightening in the US, we suspect that relatively low valuations will help to ensure that emerging market (EM) equities... 24th May 2016 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Nigeria: CBN finally admits need for flexibility The Central Bank of Nigeria finally admitted at its MPC meeting today that its inflexible “strong naira” policy has failed. The move towards a more flexible exchange rate system is a positive step. We... 24th May 2016 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Swedish inflation outlook dependent on krona strength The rise in Swedish inflation will prove short-lived if inflation expectations stay below 2%. In order to boost such expectations, the Riksbank must ensure that the krona does not appreciate strongly. 21st May 2016 · 1 min read
UK Markets Outlook Any post-referendum sterling rally to be short-lived Brexit worries have been driving sterling lower so far this year. Accordingly, a vote to “remain” in June’s EU referendum should see the pound rebound. But we think any strength is unlikely to be... 18th May 2016 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update Will rising Treasury yields rattle EMs next year? We now think that the 10-year US Treasury yield will rise by about 100bp in 2017. Nonetheless, unlike previous occassions when it has risen sharply, we doubt that it will lead to a crisis in emerging... 17th May 2016 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update What’s going on with EM currencies? After staging a decent recovery this year, almost all EM currencies have weakened against the US dollar so far this month. Some may weaken a little further, but we think a large sell-off is unlikely. 17th May 2016 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Peru holds rates but hikes still on the horizon The Central Reserve Bank of Peru kept interest rates on hold at 4.25% for a third consecutive month, but we suspect that further rate hikes are still on the way in the second half of the year. Indeed... 13th May 2016 · 1 min read
UK Markets Chart Pack Brexit fears still weighing on sterling despite rally Having fallen since mid-November, trade-weighted sterling has recovered a little over the past month. But with the pound still far below its previous peak, and demand for protection against further... 12th May 2016 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Nigeria: FX comments, fuel price hikes offer hints of reform The vice president’s comments regarding a possible change to Nigeria’s currency regime suggest that policy elites may not be as opposed to a devaluation as many believe. Claims that Nigeria’s fuel... 12th May 2016 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Swedish inflation outlook dependent on krona strength The rise in Swedish inflation will prove short-lived if inflation expectations stay below 2%. In order to boost such expectations, the Riksbank must ensure that the krona does not appreciate strongly. 12th May 2016 · 1 min read
EM Valuations Monitor Has the rally in “junk” bonds gone too far? The strong performance of non-investment grade (or “junk”) dollar-denominated government bonds in recent weeks has driven the yield premium over investment grade bonds down to 360bp, a level rarely... 4th May 2016 · 1 min read
