Japan Economics Weekly How big is Japan's business presence in China? Following the recent protests in China that have caused many Japanese firms to temporarily close factories and shops, in this Weekly we look at how the presence of Japanese companies in China has... 24th September 2012 · 1 min read
UK Economics Chart Pack Spending likely to have grown in Q3 Following its fall in the second quarter, real household spending appears to have put in a stronger performance in Q3. Although retail sales volumes fell back a touch in August, spending on the high... 21st September 2012 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economic Outlook Light at the end of the tunnel After two years of turmoil, there is light at the end of the tunnel for some of the resource-poor Arab economies. But a recovery is unlikely to start until 2014 at the earliest. Next year, most of... 20th September 2012 · 1 min read
UK Data Response Retail Sales (Aug.) While the Olympics appears to have created some winners and losers on the high street, August’s official figures show that the Games failed to provide an overall boost to retail spending. 20th September 2012 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Focus Where is Venezuela heading after the election? A victory for Hugo Chávez in next month’s presidential election could culminate in an economic crisis in Venezuela at some point during the next six year term. By contrast, a win for the Opposition’s... 17th September 2012 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Indian government bites the bullet on reforms Friday’s decision to liberalise foreign investment goes some way to dispel the impression of policy paralysis in Delhi. However, implementation of these reforms will be slow, and further measures are... 17th September 2012 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Weekly Can Japan cope without nuclear power? Leaked details of the government’s new energy plan suggest that nuclear power will be phased-out by the 2030s. In this Weekly we argue that the main reason Japan coped without nuclear power this... 17th September 2012 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus Our forecasts for types of consumer spending In this Focus, we review the way we forecast the different types of consumer spending. Slower growth of spending on essentials should allow a gradual recovery in nominal discretionary spending over... 10th September 2012 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Glimmers of reform ahead of leadership handover China will unveil a new group of leaders in the next few weeks. There are tentative signs that they will finally start to grapple with the structural challenges facing the economy. 6th September 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Orban scuppers IMF deal (again) Today’s statement by Hungarian PM Victor Orban that his government will reject the conditions attached to an IMF programme is unlikely to spell the end of negotiations between the two parties, but it... 6th September 2012 · 1 min read
Africa Economics Focus South Africa set to remain a regional underperformer Recent events in South Africa’s mining sector, while tragic, are also symptomatic of wider economic problems that are likely to mean the country falls short of achieving its significant growth... 6th September 2012 · 1 min read
US Economics Update Is the stock market cheering for Obama? The close relationship between President Obama’s chances of re-election and the level of the S&P 500 appears to suggest that the stock markets favour a Democrat as President. But it is important not... 6th September 2012 · 1 min read
UK Data Response BRC Retail Sales Monitor (Aug.) August’s BRC Retail Sales Monitor provided more evidence that the Olympics did not provide a hoped for boost to spending. Looking ahead, factors including higher petrol prices are likely to keep a lid... 4th September 2012 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Focus Demographics will not determine Asia’s future Demographic trends are turning much less favourable in many countries across Asia. Nevertheless, this is unlikely to be the end of the region’s growth miracle that many commentators have claimed it... 3rd September 2012 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update Cost control boosts US corporate profits One of the salient features of the US economy since the official end of the Great Recession has been the strength of corporate profits. Nonetheless, we are sceptical that it will last. 30th August 2012 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update Retail sales fall as support from vehicle subsidy fades Slowing auto sales dragged down retail spending last month. Even sharper falls are likely when the funds for the eco-car subsidy run out, probably any day now. With few signs of support elsewhere in... 30th August 2012 · 1 min read
