Asia Economics Weekly Fuel subsidy reform an early test for Indonesia’s Jokowi Financial markets have welcomed the election of Joko Widodo as Indonesia’s president, but there is still great uncertainty over his policy priorities and his ability to push through his own agenda. Mr... 28th July 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Surprise Russia rate hike a response to geopolitics not inflation Russia’s central bank justified its surprise decision to hike interest rates this morning on stubbornly high inflation, but it’s pretty clear that this is a pre-emptive move to limit capital outflows... 25th July 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update How competitive is Greece now? The sharp fall in wages and recent flurry of structural reforms in Greece has not yet fed intocompetitiveness gains. Greece is still not able to run the sustained external surpluses that it needs. 24th July 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update How big a threat are financial sanctions for Russia? The possibility that the EU might follow in the steps of the US and restrict access to capital markets for some Russian firms, coupled with Moscow’s decision this week to cancel another government... 24th July 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update New Belgian coalition is likely to disappoint News that the three major Flemish parties have formed a regional government raises hopes that Belgium’s federal political deadlock will be resolved soon. But the proposed national coalition looks set... 24th July 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Flash Manufacturing PMI (July) The decline in the manufacturing PMI in July suggests that the economy is recovering only slowly from the weakness caused by the consumption tax hike. 24th July 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Focus What can India's policymakers do to kick-start growth? The new government’s emphatic election victory in May has lifted some of the gloom that has hung over India’s economy in recent years. We see a number of ways in which the country’s new leaders can... 23rd July 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Markets may be overplaying Russia’s resilience The muted reaction in Russian markets to the growing likelihood of additional economic and financialsanctions by the EU probably reflects two things. The first is the widespread assumption that Europe... 22nd July 2014 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Election uncertainty in Indonesia to weigh on sentiment The uncertainty surrounding Indonesia’s presidential election looks set to continue after Prabowo Subianto, who looks to have lost the election to Joko Widodo, refused to accept today’s results from... 22nd July 2014 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Russia still the biggest loser from Western sanctions The direct effects on the European economy of any sanctions-related disruption to trade with Russiawould not be trivial but the impact via energy markets may be less than many fear. Sentiment could... 22nd July 2014 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Public Finances (Jun.) June’s fiscal numbers contained further signs that the coalition is struggling tobring the deficit down in line with the plans. Nonetheless, there are reasons toexpect the trend in public borrowing to... 22nd July 2014 · 1 min read
China Chart Pack Mixed ownership no guarantee of stronger performance Six state-owned firms were named last week to take part in pilot reforms intended to boost state sector performance, partly by encouraging private investment. The experiment could have far-reaching... 21st July 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Weekly Don't write off the recovery in business investment The sharp drop in machinery orders in April and May casts doubts on the prospects for capital spending. However, we are not too worried. Business investment was exceptionally strong in Q1, so a fall... 21st July 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Fresh sanctions add headwinds to Russia’s growth outlook June’s activity data have dented hopes of a sustained recovery in the Russian economy. A meaningful turnaround will require a significant rise in investment. But the latest round of sanctions on... 17th July 2014 · 1 min read
China Economics Update China set to take next step towards deposit rate liberalisation Policymakers appear poised to take a key step in the process of interest rate liberalisation, which is itself an important test of their ability and desire to push through difficult reforms. 17th July 2014 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Economics Update Four questions about the BRICS Bank and swap deal After years of discussion, the five BRICS nations yesterday agreed to establish a development bank and a framework of currency swaps, dubbed the “Contingency Reserve Arrangement” (CRA). In this Update... 16th July 2014 · 1 min read
