Europe Data Response German Ifo Survey (Oct.) October’s rise in the German Ifo survey suggests that the economy is defying the global gloom for now. But while the economy should grow by 3% or more this year, we still see weaker exports prompting... 22nd October 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Flash PMIs (Oct.) October’s fall in the euro-zone composite PMI adds to evidence that the recovery is stalling and that the external revival is failing to boost domestic spending. 21st October 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update The implications of the French strike The French strike will probably have a smaller immediate effect on economic activity than the press might have you believe. However, it is the clearest sign yet that the euro-zone’s second largest... 13th October 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update North Korea; probably the worst top job in the world Public appearances in recent days have confirmed that Kim Jong-eun, the youngest son of Kim Jong-iI, has become North Korea’s new leader-in-waiting. It is good news for the region that a leadership... 13th October 2010 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Brazil Election Watch: Markets unmoved by election uncertainty The Brazilian presidential election is set for a second round of voting on 31st October and the latest opinion polls suggest that it may be a tighter race than many had expected. While Dilma Rousseff... 13th October 2010 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Low company failures keep a lid on redundancies One explanation for the relatively small drop in employment during this recession is the muted pickup in company insolvencies. But a number of factors could prompt insolvencies to rise further... 12th October 2010 · 1 min read
UK Economic Outlook How will companies weather the fiscal storm? (Q4 10) Companies may weather the coming fiscal storm rather better than households and the public sector. But they certainly won’t survive entirely unscathed. 11th October 2010 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Looking ahead to the Five-Year Plan The most closely-watched data release this month will be that for third quarter GDP, due on the 21st. But a more momentous event will take place a few days earlier when the Communist Party leadership... 11th October 2010 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Economy Watchers Survey (Sep.) Current economic conditions worsened sharply last month, according to the latest Economy Watchers Survey (EWS). An apparent improvement in the outlook provided the thinnest of silver linings... 8th October 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Can high growth in India survive the state sector problems? India got there just in time and yesterday’s opening ceremony for the Commonwealth Games proved to be a big success. Nevertheless, the poor preparation for the Games does highlight the growing... 4th October 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Another strong showing for the centre-right After recent gains in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, centre-right parties had another strong showing in elections in Hungary and Latvia this weekend. But while Latvia’s ruling coalition has already... 4th October 2010 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update Brazil Election Watch: Blow for Dilma as race goes to wire Brazil’s presidential election sprang into life yesterday after Dilma Rousseff failed to gain the 50% of votes needed to secure an outright victory in the first round of voting. She remains the... 4th October 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone EC Survey (Sep.) September’s improvement in the EC business and consumer survey comes as a relief after recent weaker news on the euro-zone. But the survey still points to much slower growth in Q3 than in Q2. 29th September 2010 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Tankan Survey (Sep.) The Bank of Japan's quarterly Tankan confirmed that business conditions were still improving in the third quarter but will be tougher in the fourth. 29th September 2010 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Turning more cautious Smaller businesses in Japan took a more downbeat view of the outlook in September as yen strength, domestic political uncertainties, and the spat with China all had an impact. But the survey does not... 28th September 2010 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Update President Chavez's popularity starts to wane This weekend’s elections provide the strongest evidence yet that Venezuela’s economic woes have begun to dent President Chavez’s popularity. All eyes are now on the 2012 presidential elections and... 27th September 2010 · 1 min read
