Latin America Economics Update Brazil takes a (small) step in the right direction Measures unveiled by the Brazilian government this afternoon are good news insofar as they will help tackle some of the supply side problems that are holding the economy back. But any impact will be... 15th August 2012 · 1 min read
US Data Response Retail Sales & Producer Prices (Jul.) The sharp 0.8% m/m rebound in retail sales in July was the first increase in four months, but only reversed the declines in the previous two months. So although consumers might have loosened their... 14th August 2012 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Egyptian president fighting for civilian rule In a surprising move, the Egyptian President decided to sack the country’s two top-ranking generals and cancelled an earlier declaration by the military council that gave it wide legislative powers... 13th August 2012 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Singapore’s push for more babies Ahead of last Thursday’s National Day holiday in Singapore, a music video urged patriotic citizens to “celebrate National Night by giving the country the population spurt it so desperately needs”. The... 10th August 2012 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Focus First thoughts on the Mexican election results The dust has yet to settle on the Mexican general election and so it is probably too soon to draw any firm conclusions as to what the outcome will mean for policymaking. That said, the early signs... 9th August 2012 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Pressure on Greece continues to grow The Greek Government’s inability to agree on how to cut public spending highlights the ongoing fragility of the situation there. And with euro-zone policymakers still unwilling to concede any ground... 8th August 2012 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update IMF approves funding for Morocco and Jordan The decision by the IMF to approve funding for Morocco and Jordan will reduce the risks of a balance of payments crisis in the immediate term. But both economies remain fragile. While Morocco is... 6th August 2012 · 1 min read
UK Economic Outlook Real pay finally to start rising Real pay is finally about to start rising again. But the need for households to repair their balance sheets will keep the recovery in consumer spending modest. 6th August 2012 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Egypt’s new cabinet unlikely to herald radical shift in policy The much-anticipated announcement of the new Egyptian cabinet was a bit of a damp squib. Admittedly, the technocratic nature of the new administration has calmed fears of an Islamist-dominated... 2nd August 2012 · 1 min read
Canada Economics Update Small business optimism continues to deteriorate The further decline in the CFIB's small business barometer in July is an early indication that the overall pace of economic recovery may have slowed further. While GDP growth in the second quarter is... 2nd August 2012 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Romanian President’s referendum survival adds to uncertainty Paradoxically, the apparent survival of Romania’s President in Sunday’s referendum could pave the way for a protracted period of political instability. This is likely to take its toll on the financial... 30th July 2012 · 1 min read
Latin America Chart Pack Brazil still struggling The Brazilian economy continues to struggle. Having expanded by a meagre 0.2% q/q in the first quarter of this year, there are few signs that growth picked up in Q2. Elsewhere in the region, growth... 27th July 2012 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Focus One year on, has Peru’s Humala lost his way? Ollanta Humala’s first year as Peru’s president has been a bittersweet one. While markets have warmed to the ex-army officer’s emergence as a pragmatic centrist, his poor rural support base appears to... 26th July 2012 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Syrian crisis: are fears of oil supply disruptions justified? The increase in oil prices over the past few weeks has been partly blamed on the escalation in tensions in Syria, which has raised fresh concerns of supply disruptions. But unless the Syrian crisis... 26th July 2012 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update Egypt’s new Prime Minister won’t ease market fears The surprising appointment of Dr. Hisham Kandil as Egypt’s new Prime Minister is unlikely to calm nerves in the financial markets. For a start, he lacks the economic credentials that some were hoping... 24th July 2012 · 1 min read
China Data Response HSBC/Markit Flash Manufacturing PMI (Jul.) Conditions in China’s manufacturing sector have improved, according to today’s flash PMI, although the recovery could not yet be described as strong. 24th July 2012 · 1 min read
