Europe Economics Update Spain may still be the first to need OMTs While the euro-zone spotlight has recently switched to Italy, the latest economic news from Spain suggests that it might still be first to require the support of the ECB’s bond-buying programme. 28th February 2013 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update South Africa: fiscal consolidation postponed again The South African Finance Ministry today nudged up its forecasts for the fiscal deficit for the next three years, but we suspect that the budget shortfall may still surprise on the upside. 27th February 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Has the Italian election disabled the ECB’s bazooka? The renewed rise in Italian and other government bond yields following the inconclusive result of the Italian general election has raised questions over the continued effectiveness of the European... 27th February 2013 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Signs of recovery in Hong Kong, but risks to downside Hong Kong’s economy grew at its fastest pace in nearly two years in Q4, thanks mainly to a pick up in export growth. Prospects for the economy depend largely on the outlook for global demand. As such... 27th February 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Euro-zone Fiscal Monitor (Feb. 13) Greece, Ireland and Portugal continued to make solid fiscal progress at the beginning of 2013. But Italy and Spain are likely to have missed their fiscal goals for 2012. 26th February 2013 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Has the EC softened its stance on austerity? Recent hints that the European Commission could grant further extensions to governments that are missing their deficit targets provide hope that the Commission will not force austerity regardless of... 25th February 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Singapore budget focuses on productivity Today’s FY 2013 budget focused on raising medium-term growth by boosting productivity. The government resisted short-term pump priming but, with unemployment low and a number of today’s measures... 25th February 2013 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Peru: tighter fiscal policy would help to rebalance economy Peru’s economy expanded by a healthy 5.9% y/y in Q4, however growth continues to be heavily dependent on domestic demand. In the current environment of improved global risk appetite, there is a risk... 25th February 2013 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly India's budget: A test of policy credibility Following a year in which India’s growth weakened, external deficit widened, and sovereign ratings came under pressure, the upcoming budget will be a crucial test of the government’s policy... 25th February 2013 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Public finances (Jan.) Stripping out the one-off factors affecting the numbers, January’s public finances figures revealed a modest improvement on last year’s outturn. But the big picture is still that the downward progress... 21st February 2013 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Morocco: bright outlook, twin deficits pose downside risks Morocco is set to be the best performer among the resource-poor Arab economies this year, supported by a comparatively stable political and macroeconomic environment and a rebound in the agricultural... 20th February 2013 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus Are the Government’s fiscal plans crumbling? Halfway through the parliament, the coalition’s fiscal plans are showing sizeable cracks. But any changes to the plans are likely to be modest, maintaining the need for strong monetary support. 19th February 2013 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Focus The "two-speed" continent The scope for rapid “catch-up” growth, allied with improving levels of governance, point to a relatively upbeat outlook for most of sub-Saharan Africa over the next decade or so. By contrast, a lack... 19th February 2013 · 1 min read
US Economics Update Sequestration a secondary issue to budget talks The probability is rising that Congress won't act to prevent the sequestration spending cuts taking effect at the start of next month. On paper, that would reduce spending by $110bn per year... 14th February 2013 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Sluggish Egyptian economy reduces prospect of IMF deal All eyes have focused on the fall of the Egyptian pound since the end of last year. But at the same time, the economy has taken a sharp turn for the worse. This suggests that job creation probably... 13th February 2013 · 1 min read
US Economics Focus State and local governments will partly offset Federal drag State and local governments have sorted out their finances to such an extent that they will soon be in a position to raise spending and, consequently, boost both GDP and job growth. This will offset... 12th February 2013 · 1 min read
