Japan Economics Update Situation bad, but not getting any worse The latest figures on Japan’s economy suggest that it has already fallen into recession and is unlikely to emerge before next year. However, whilst the economic backdrop is bad, it is at least not... 10th December 2012 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Political turmoil to prevent Egypt from easing Egypt’s deepening political crisis has put paid to any hopes of policy easing, in the very near-term at least. Indeed, if things stay as they are, we wouldn’t be surprised if the central bank is... 6th December 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Romanian elections to put leu under spotlight The run-up to Romania’s parliamentary election on Sunday has been surprisingly quiet. But we think the markets may be underestimating the risk of fresh turbulence following the vote. 6th December 2012 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Autumn Statement confirms poor consumer spending outlook In order to fund corporate tax cuts and an infrastructure boost, yesterday’s Autumn Statement heaped more pain on consumers. Indeed, by announcing more benefit cuts for 2013 and 2014, and confirming... 6th December 2012 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus Autumn Statement 2012: More of the same There were few surprises in this Autumn Statement, which simply represented a continuation of the existing strategy. The Statement will do little to get the economy out of its current malaise and a... 5th December 2012 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Update Small business confidence suggest below potential Q4 GDP Although the monthly small business optimism index fell back in November, the quarterly average of our seasonally adjusted measure still points to fourth-quarter GDP growth of just below 2.0%... 5th December 2012 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Mexico: Pena Nieto keeps up reform momentum The new President of Mexico, Enrique Pena Nieto of the PRI, has continued to demonstrate an appetite for the kind of reforms that should help to raise economic activity over the medium-term. We expect... 4th December 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Focus How the core should respond to a euro break-up Sharp appreciations in the euro-zone’s core countries would threaten to damage their exports and GDP in the event of a euro-zone break-up. But there are various policies that could be implemented to... 29th November 2012 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Update Ghana elections unlikely to prompt shift in policy direction The final presidential debate before elections in Ghana next month revealed that neither of the two main candidates are likely to oversee a radical shift away from market-friendly policies... 28th November 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Greek deal delays the day of reckoning Euro-zone policymakers have found a bit more money down the back of the sofa to buy another sticking plaster for Greece. But the relatively easy options are running out fast. 27th November 2012 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Governor Carney will face new challenges Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney is well-qualified to manage the Bank of England’s expanded role when he takes over from Mervyn King as Governor of the Bank of England at the end of next June... 26th November 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Weekly Another Greek sticking plaster Euro-zone finance ministers are inching ever closer to a deal on the bail-out which will satisfy their own debt sustainability criteria and in the near term at least avoid a politically troublesome... 26th November 2012 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Weekly All change at the Bank of Japan? We think that the markets would be wrong to expect major changes in the Bank of Japan’s monetary stance after the Lower House elections in December. For a start, it is not certain that the LDP will... 26th November 2012 · 1 min read
Global Economics Focus Global growth prospects beyond 2020 Some commentators argue that growth of world per capita income over the coming few decades will be much lower than in the past, because technological progress has slowed or because of the depletion of... 22nd November 2012 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update What next for the Bank of Japan? The election of an LDP-led government would be unlikely to result in the dramatic shift in policy at the Bank of Japan than many now seem to expect. Proposals that threaten the independence of the... 20th November 2012 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus Are retailers’ cost pressures past their worst? After enduring a series of cost shocks in recent years alongside stagnant consumer demand, retailers could be forgiven for thinking that the squeeze on their profits will never cease. Nonetheless, the... 20th November 2012 · 1 min read
