Europe Economics Update Will Dutch consumers keep on spending? Despite the recent falls in consumer confidence, there are a number of reasons to be positive about the outlook for household spending in the Netherlands over the coming years. Nevertheless, worries... 18th May 2016 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update French strikes darken the economic outlook This week’s French protests over a watered down labour market law highlight just how hard it will be to reform the economy. This suggests that France’s economic weakness will be prolonged... 17th May 2016 · 1 min read
India Economics Update Tax amendments another success for Modi government Recent amendments to the tax treaty between India and Mauritius - the terms of which have made Mauritius the leading source of foreign investment into India - are likely to bring more benefits than... 17th May 2016 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Brazil’s Meirelles unveils first steps in economic programme Brazil’s new Finance Minister has unveiled a string of eye-catching market-friendly measures this morning, as part of the first plank of his new economic programme. 17th May 2016 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Nigeria: Oil disruptions add to economic woes The sharp fall in Nigeria’s oil production could, if sustained, shave more than 1%-pt off GDP growth this year. Lower oil output will also add to the country’s fiscal and current account problems. 16th May 2016 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Mounting risks bode ill for Italy Like much of the rest of the euro-zone, Italy’s economy got off to a decent start to the year. However,the outlook for growth remains weak and the risks to the recovery are mounting. Eventually... 16th May 2016 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Mexico: taking stock of the Pemex bailout The Mexican government’s bailout of the country’s state-owned energy company Pemex does not have major fiscal implications. The costs are manageable and non-recurring, so should not require... 11th May 2016 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Greek debt talks won’t provide much relief The compromises reached by Greece and its creditors this week should allow the first bailout review to finally be completed and have prompted a favourable market response. But the first discussions... 11th May 2016 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Will Ireland’s new Government keep the recovery going? The formation of a new Irish government has removed some short-term political uncertainty. And the outlook for the economy over the coming years is fairly bright. That said, the government can do... 9th May 2016 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly EC’s sober forecasts are still too optimistic Last week’s EC Spring forecasts presented a pretty uninspiring picture of the euro-zone economy’s prospects. Despite the unprecedented degree of monetary policy support, growth is expected to slow... 6th May 2016 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Weekly Would a tax on firms’ cash revive investment? The proposed tax on corporate cash holdings may shift firms’ behaviour somewhat but is not as groundbreaking as it sounds. The government already provides tax incentives to encourage investment... 6th May 2016 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Fiscal Monitor (Apr.) Full year general government figures for 2015 show that most euro-zone countries’ fiscal positions improved last year, although Portugal and Spain still fell short of their targets. Meanwhile... 5th May 2016 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Focus About that fiscal hole in Brazil… A combination of modest austerity, elevated inflation and increasing financial repression should keep Brazil’s high and rising public debt burden from becoming a major economic headache over the next... 4th May 2016 · 1 min read
Australia & New Zealand Economics Focus Pre-election Budget postpones fiscal pain While the Budget has been badged as focusing on “jobs and growth”, Treasurer Scott Morrison was clearly thinking about his own job and the probable Federal election on 2nd July when he crafted it... 3rd May 2016 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Are Portugal’s fiscal problems over? Last week’s decision by DBRS to maintain its investment grade credit rating for Portugal has brought short-term relief. But with the economic recovery likely to slow this year and the public finances... 3rd May 2016 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Euro-zone’s strong start won’t be sustained Q1’s surprisingly strong gain in euro-zone GDP provided a solid start to the year. But we suspect that the figures overstate the economy’s underlying pace of expansion and there is a clear risk of a... 29th April 2016 · 1 min read
