US Employment Report Preview Weather and port dispute are downside risks Our econometric model indicates that non-farm payrolls increased by a slightly more modest 230,000 in February, down from an average monthly gain of 336,000 over the preceding three months. It is... 26th February 2015 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Chart Pack London set for period of underperformance While housing market activity has been easing across the country, London has experienced by far the largest slowdown. Demand has contracted sharply thanks to prices which have reached a record high in... 26th February 2015 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Tight labour market in Taiwan providing boost to consumption A tight labour market in Taiwan is feeding through to stronger wage growth, which in turn is providing a boost to household consumption. The improving prospects for the consumer sector are a key... 26th February 2015 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus Deflation to have limited impact on pay round With inflation set to turn negative during the busiest time of the year for pay bargaining, the MPC will be on red alert for any signs that deflation is having a knock-on effect on pay deals... 25th February 2015 · 1 min read
US Economics Update Yellen positions the Fed for a June rate hike Chair Janet Yellen's prepared congressional testimony, which struck a more upbeat tone on labour market conditions and included a detailed discussion of how the forward guidance will be amended... 24th February 2015 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Small Business Confidence (Feb.) Despite a modest rebound in February, small business confidence remains weak. 24th February 2015 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack Retail sales recovery to remain robust Although retail sales volumes were a whopping 5.4% higher in January than a year ago, this does not have the hallmarks of an unsustainable boom. The average price of retail purchases has fallen by... 20th February 2015 · 1 min read
UK Economics Weekly Tightening job market should see off deflation threat The latest inflation figures, showing CPI inflation easing to a record low of 0.3% in January, naturally took up most of the column inches last week. It was therefore easy to overlook the latest... 20th February 2015 · 1 min read
India Chart Pack Economy is not out of the woods yet India’s revised GDP data paint a far healthier picture of the economy over the past couple of years than had previously appeared the case. GDP growth for FY13/14 was revised up from 4.7% to 6.9%. In... 19th February 2015 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response Housing Starts (Jan.) With mortgage credit conditions loosening, the labour market on fire and household formation strengthening, January’s decline in housing starts should soon give way to solid gains in homebuilding. 18th February 2015 · 1 min read
UK Commercial Property Data Response Employment data (Dec.) Today’s data from the labour market offer further encouragement for the commercial property market. In particular, the high level of vacancies indicates that most firms are still in an expansionary... 18th February 2015 · 1 min read
UK Data Response MPC Minutes (Feb.) & Labour market (Dec./Jan.) The minutes of February’s MPC meeting showed that the Committee is more divided about the next move in interest rates than the unanimous vote would suggest. The healthy labour market figures released... 18th February 2015 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economic Outlook Russia’s crisis to deepen but contagion to remain limited The deepening downturn in Russia will depress aggregate growth across Emerging Europe this year but the outlook for most countries will be shaped more by developments in the euro-zone than it will by... 17th February 2015 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Are consumers spending their oil windfall? Although real household incomes among net consumers have been boosted by the fall in oil prices, this has yet to translate into a surge in spending. But we still expect consumption in advanced... 16th February 2015 · 1 min read
UK Economics Weekly Cut in Bank Rate returns to policy toolkit With CPI inflation on the verge of turning negative, last week’s Inflation Report saw Bank of England Governor Mark Carney discuss his available policy options should deflation show signs of becoming... 13th February 2015 · 1 min read