Middle East & North Africa Economics Update How credible are the region’s exchange rate pegs? The non-oil producing MENA countries have historically tended to back up their currency pegs to the US dollar by maintaining a level of FX reserves sufficient to cover the monetary base. But the... 21st November 2013 · 1 min read
UK Markets Outlook Stronger growth and low rates support UK markets UK markets are being supported by a favourable combination of accelerating economic growth, weakening inflation and very low interest rates. Granted, the MPC has brought forward to the third quarter... 20th November 2013 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update Bonds continue to be shunned EPFR Global data reveal that ETF and mutual fund portfolio flows into emerging market (EM) bonds were negative in October for the fifth month running. By contrast, flows into EM equities were... 20th November 2013 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Economics Update Stepping back from the EM currency rollercoaster EM currencies have resumed their rollercoaster ride over the past couple of weeks – first weakening on the back of renewed expectations that the Fed might start to taper its asset purchases by the end... 19th November 2013 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update More downside for yen and upside for Japanese equities The Nikkei closed back above 15,000 today, helped by a renewed decline in the yen past 100 to the dollar. We expect Japanese equities to advance further and the currency to continue to weaken, due... 15th November 2013 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Trade deficit revisions won’t take rand out of firing line The South African rand rallied yesterday following revisions to the methodology used to compile monthly trade data that resulted in a significant fall in the trade deficit. But the rebound has proved... 15th November 2013 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Fresh falls in Latin American currencies Latin American currencies have tumbled against the US dollar since mid-October and in many cases they are close to the lows that they reached during the height of this summer’s market sell-off... 15th November 2013 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Economics Update Exchange rates to frame EM monetary policy in near term Currency movements will continue to play a major part in determining emerging market (EM) monetary policy. Countries where currencies have weakened alongside large current account deficits - Brazil... 15th November 2013 · 1 min read
EM Markets Chart Pack Renewed underperformance from EM equities The small rise in most emerging market equities over the past month was eclipsed by the 4% or so rise in developed market equities. So far in 2013, emerging equity markets have underperformed... 12th November 2013 · 1 min read
UK Markets Chart Pack US outlook still the key influence on gilt yields Despite the acceleration of the UK’s economic recovery, gilt yields and interest rate expectations have fallen back over the last month. It would be tempting to conclude that the markets are starting... 7th November 2013 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Czech Bank pulls the trigger on unconventional easing Faced with growing concerns about deflation, the Czech National Bank voted to ease monetary policy further today by intervening in the foreign exchange market to weaken the koruna. Few details were... 7th November 2013 · 1 min read
DM Markets Chart Pack Equities boosted by debt-ceiling resolution The extension of the debt ceiling and continued indications that the Fed will not reduce the pace of its asset purchases for a while helped buoy a range of assets in October. Equities benefited more... 5th November 2013 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update Will the Fed taper be a game-changer? The question of exactly when the US Fed will start to taper its asset purchases under QE3 has understandably been the focus of much analysis and speculation (including by ourselves). There are six... 5th November 2013 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Weekly Canadian dollar's descent not over The recent pullback in the Canadian dollar owes more to weaker domestic fundamentals rather than volatile commodity prices. With domestic economic conditions likely to remain sluggish through next... 4th November 2013 · 1 min read
EM Valuations Monitor Is the South African rand really undervalued? The extent of its fall so far this year has made the South African rand appear undervalued when the current real effective exchange rate is compared both to its long-run average and to its long-run... 31st October 2013 · 1 min read
Global Markets Outlook Which assets will prove resilient to Fed tapering? The Fed now looks as if it will start to scale back its asset purchases next spring, although the tone of the FOMC's late-October statement suggests that the process might even begin earlier. As the... 31st October 2013 · 1 min read
