Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Iranian elections a positive step, but reasons to be cautious Recent elections in Iran have provided a positive endorsement of President Rouhani’s reformist policies ahead of next year’s presidential vote and should ease fears that Tehran will renege on its... 1st March 2016 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Could savings on EU contributions boost the economy? One of the advantages of a vote to leave the EU would be the savings the UK could potentially make on its EU contributions. This money could in theory be used to give a boost to the economy, but there... 1st March 2016 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Capital Expenditure (Q4) Today’s capital spending figures suggest that investment spending was a touch weaker last quarter than initially estimated, but revised GDP data due on Monday should confirm that output shrank by 0.4%... 1st March 2016 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update How much should the rest of the world fear ‘Brexit’? The G20 was probably right to include UK exit from the European Union on its list of potential risks to the global recovery, especially given the precedent of the euro-zone crisis in 2011-12. However... 29th February 2016 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Industrial Production & Retail Sales (Jan.) The rebound in industrial production in January is unlikely to assuage concerns about the health of Japan’s economy as firms are predicting a renewed slump in February. 29th February 2016 · 1 min read
UK Economics Weekly Sterling’s fall is nothing to fear Brexit unsurprisingly dominated the news again last week, especially its continued downward impact on sterling. As the referendum nears, we expect to see further falls in the pound. However, this... 26th February 2016 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response EC Business & Consumer Survey (Feb.) February’s EC consumer and business survey supported the message from other survey indicators that the euro-zone’s economy is slowing. 26th February 2016 · 1 min read
UK Data Response GfK/NOP Consumer Confidence (Feb.) February’s consumer confidence figures show that consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about general economic uncertainty. However, they remain upbeat by past standards, and this should help... 26th February 2016 · 1 min read
India Economics Update Land laws to remain an economic constraint With markets and commentators focused on what will be unveiled in the FY16/17 budget on Monday, prospects for the rest of the current session of parliament have slipped under the radar. One of the... 26th February 2016 · 1 min read
Asia Chart Pack Philippines presidential election: runners and riders Political campaigning in the Philippines ahead of presidential elections due on 9 th May is now well underway. Grace Poe, an independent candidate and adopted daughter of Fernando Poe, a defeated... 26th February 2016 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Political limbo poses growing risk to Spain The latest deal between two Spanish political parties does not guarantee the formation of a government and new elections may take place before long. While the economy has weathered the uncertainty... 25th February 2016 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update What can, or should, the G20 do? Calls for co-ordinated policy easing ahead of this weekend’s G20 meeting will almost certainly cometo nothing. However, officials should at least seek to reassure investors that the world is not on... 24th February 2016 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update How big is the Brexit premium? We estimate that sterling would rebound from $1.39 to $1.50 against the dollar if the UK voted today to remain a member of the EU. But if a similar move occurs in response to a vote to stay in the... 24th February 2016 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Sterling to fall further – but that’s not necessarily a bad thing Sterling remains the main casualty of Brexit uncertainty and we expect the pound to fall further as the referendum nears. However, this should not be viewed as an entirely negative development, as the... 23rd February 2016 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update EU deal soon should pave way for a Brexit referendum in June The deal which looks likely to be sewn up at this week’s EU Council meeting should pave the way for David Cameron to announce a date for the EU referendum soon and officially launch his campaign to... 19th February 2016 · 1 min read
UK Economics Weekly Banking sector fears overdone One of the main areas of concern in markets in recent weeks has been the banking sector, both in the UK and overseas. However, we do not think that this pessimism about the UK’s banking sector is... 19th February 2016 · 1 min read
