Latin America Economics Update Brazil: no signs (yet) of major tightening in financial conditions It’s still too soon to say how Brazil’s latest political drama will play out, but the key point for the economy is that the crisis has not yet caused a sharp tightening in financial conditions. 22nd May 2017 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Brexit Watch: Manifestos expose subtle differences on Brexit The release of the Conservative Party and Labour Party manifestos this week exposed some differences in their stances towards Brexit. However, the broad contours of each party’s desired Brexit outcome... 19th May 2017 · 1 min read
UK Economics Weekly Do voters have a real fiscal choice this time? The release of party manifestos this week highlighted that, unlike in recent elections, the two main parties offer voters a real fiscal choice this time. Labour would borrow significantly more than... 19th May 2017 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Weekly Boost from female employment starting to fade A surge in the share of women in or looking for paid employment has boosted potential growth and kept price pressures subdued in recent years. But with the female labour force participation rate no... 19th May 2017 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Macron’s cross-party cabinet confirms focus on reform President Emmanuel Macron’s ministerial appointments suggest that he is serious about pushing through economic reforms. However, the challenge of the National Assembly elections looms large and it may... 18th May 2017 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Economics Update EM markets fall, but economic fallout should be limited Political developments in the US and Brazil have led to sizeable falls in EM currencies and equities today but the economic implications for EMs are likely to be limited. Even in Brazil itself, it’s... 18th May 2017 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Brazil: corruption allegations deal fresh blow to reform agenda Allegations that Brazilian president Michel Temer endorsed bribes to buy the silence of former house speaker, Eduardo Cunha, has dealt a fresh blow to the government’s reform agenda. The real and bond... 18th May 2017 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Early elections in Austria revive eurosceptic threat The collapse of Austria’s ruling grand coalition has triggered an early general election, to be held in October, which could see the far-right and eurosceptic Freedom Party entering government. An... 17th May 2017 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Focus Assessing the impact of a war in Korea The most important impact of a full-scale conflict on the Korean peninsula would be a massive loss of life. But there would also be significant economic consequences. In this Focus we discuss the... 17th May 2017 · 1 min read
India Economics Update New measures unlikely to revive banking sector New powers granted to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) could in theory speed up resolution of cases of stressed assets that have burdened the banking sector in recent years. But the measures are likely... 17th May 2017 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Labour would ease the fiscal squeeze significantly If implemented, the Labour manifesto could boost GDP growth – by increasing investment spending – at the cost of higher debt which would potentially result in higher interest rates. 16th May 2017 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Czech markets unfazed by ongoing political drama Financial markets in the Czech Republic have, for the most part, shrugged off the various twists and turns in the political crisis that has gripped the country over the past couple of weeks... 16th May 2017 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Renewed Greek recession adds to bailout risks Greece’s return to recession in Q1 has highlighted the damage done by stalled bailout negotiations and suggests that the Government’s newly-updated economic forecasts are far too optimistic. This will... 15th May 2017 · 1 min read
Japan Chart Pack The return of Goldilocks Japan’s economy probably recorded the fifth straight quarter of growth in Q1, the longest streak since 2005. The unemployment rate is at multi-year lows and corporate profit margins at record highs... 15th May 2017 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Brexit Watch: MPC banks on a smooth departure In the minutes of its latest meeting, the MPC commented that if the economy evolves in line with its forecast, rate hikes would be justified before markets currently expect. But judging by the market... 12th May 2017 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Economy Watchers Survey (Apr.) Despite an improvement in April, today’s Economy Watchers Survey remains consistent with falling manufacturing activity. It also points to a slowdown in job growth, though the survey has not been a... 11th May 2017 · 1 min read
