Africa Economics Update South Africa: rates on hold as rand plummets The collapse in the rand over the past week or so means that, despite the continued weakness of South Africa’s economy, there is little room for the Reserve Bank to loosen monetary policy. In fact, it... 23rd May 2013 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Nigeria resists government pressure to cut rates The Central Bank of Nigeria resisted government pressure to cut interest rates this afternoon, but we suspect that a combination of below-trend growth and sub-10% inflation will pave the way for... 21st May 2013 · 1 min read
US Economics Update Rise in dollar against the yen to hit automakers most The recent strengthening of the dollar against the Japanese yen is unlikely to put a major dent in US inflation or activity. What’s more, the competitiveness of US manufacturers may not be eroded too... 15th May 2013 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Currency to play bigger role in Mexican interest rate decisions The Mexican economy has hit a soft patch in recent months, but we would caution against being too pessimistic. Growth is likely to accelerate in the second half of the year as inflation pressures... 13th May 2013 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update Is the euro vulnerable to a shift in ECB policy? Last Thursday’s cut in the ECB’s refinancing rate and hints from the central bank’s President that the deposit rate could be reduced below zero have weighed on the euro. But the fall in the exchange... 8th May 2013 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Wider renminbi trading band would be empty gesture A wider trading band for the renminbi is a likely next step in currency policy reform. But it may not happen as soon as many think and, in any case, would probably make little difference to the... 2nd May 2013 · 1 min read
Nordic & Swiss Economics Update Falling oil prices highlight Norway’s long-term problems Due to Norway’s much-lauded fiscal rules, the recent fall in oil prices will have little impact on the economy’s bright near-term outlook. Nonetheless, Norway’s growing dependence on hydrocarbons... 2nd May 2013 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Equities fall further China’s equity prices have declined further amid renewed worries about the country’s economy. Meanwhile, the People’s Bank has tolerated recent gains in the renminbi. 30th April 2013 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update What next for the yen? The failure of the yen to weaken past 100 to the dollar has caused some second thoughts in the markets, but we continue to expect the Japanese currency to fall substantially further. 29th April 2013 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Mining stocks take a hit Latin American equities have mostly sold off over the past month, compounding an already weak start to the year. Hardest hit have been the large mining firms based in the Andes, many of whom appear to... 29th April 2013 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Weak rand to provide limited relief for South African manufacturers Growth in South Africa’s manufacturing sector appears to have stagnated in the first quarter of 2013, but some policymakers have suggested that production could soon pick up as a weaker rand helps to... 24th April 2013 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Tunisia's IMF deal underlines need for political consensus Tunisia’s IMF deal is a crucial step to helping the economy out of its post-revolution slump. But the agreement also underlines the need for political consensus in the Arab Spring countries in order... 22nd April 2013 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Saudi dollar peg here to stay for the long-term Concerns that Saudi Arabia’s dollar peg is no longer suitable in light of the country’s growing trade ties with Asia look wide of the mark. There are a myriad of other tools that Saudi policymakers... 17th April 2013 · 1 min read
UK Markets Chart Pack Lower gilt yields underline safe-haven status The recent fall in gilt yields has reflected a combination of weak news on the UK economy, a renewed rise in safe-haven demand in response to the crisis in Cyprus and a slight building of hopes of... 10th April 2013 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Latest inflation rise tips balance in favour of Brazil rate hike Brazilian inflation breached the upper bound of its target range last month, tipping the balance in favour of a hike in the benchmark Selic interest rate at next week’s COPOM meeting. Nonetheless, it... 10th April 2013 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update More downside for yen than upside for Nikkei? The much more ambitious policy stance adopted by the Bank of Japan should keep the yen on a weakening trend, but the scope for a further boost to Japan’s stock market may be limited. 8th April 2013 · 1 min read
