Europe Data Response Euro-zone Flash PMIs (Aug.) August’s fall in the euro-zone composite PMI suggests that the recovery is now beginning to slow alongside those of other major economies. But the index points to pretty strong GDP growth for the time... 23rd August 2010 · 1 min read
Latin America Economics Focus Why Brazil's next president must focus on the savings shortfall From the perspective of economic policy, the over-riding priority for Brazil’s new president must be to raise the level of domestic savings. Without this, much-needed investment will have to be funded... 11th August 2010 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Bank Credit & EWS (Jul.) The current conditions index of the Economy Watchers Survey (EWS) climbed back to a multi-year high in July. The survey raises some questions about the outlook, but, overall, its high level should be... 9th August 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update Is Russia's privatisation plan the real deal? Details of Russia’s plans to raise up to $30bn through the sale of state assets have trickled out over the past day or so. The proposals are good news at the margin, although the renewed emphasis on... 29th July 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone EC Survey (Jul.) July’s improvement in the EC consumer and business surveys adds to the evidence that the euro-zone is performing surprisingly well. But divergences between the region’s economies are widening. 29th July 2010 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Small Business Confidence (Jul.) Japan's smaller companies remain upbeat about business conditions, emphasising that fears of a double-dip here at least are exaggerated. 28th July 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response German Ifo Survey (Jul.) & French Consumer Spending (Jun.) July’s rise in the German Ifo index suggests that the economy is performing very well despite signs of a slowdown in the US and elsewhere. But June’s fall in French consumer spending confirmed that... 23rd July 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone Flash PMIs (Jul.) July’s rise in the euro-zone composite PMI suggests that, for now at least, the region is (perhaps surprisingly) evading the threat of a double-dip recession apparently facing the US and UK. 22nd July 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Australia goes to the polls early It was announced over the weekend that Australia will hold Federal elections on 21st August. The main campaign issues will be the mining tax, climate change policy, and the stance toward asylum... 19th July 2010 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus Policy challenges for the new Government The new coalition Government has made an industrious start. But it still faces some major policy challenges if it is to achieve the multiple goals of sorting out the public finances, improving... 15th July 2010 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus Policy challenges for the new UK Government The new coalition Government has made an industrious start. But it still faces some major policy challenges if it is to achieve the multiple goals of sorting out the public finances, improving... 15th July 2010 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Machinery Orders (May), Bank Credit & EWS (Jun) The relapse in machinery orders in May was not quite large enough to conclude that the investment recovery is over before it has really begun, but it is unwelcome. The resilience of sentiment in the... 8th July 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Focus Why the euro-zone needs to break up The threatened break-up of the euro-zone, which many see as a potential disaster, would actually open the door to renewed economic growth, not just for the weaker members of the zone, but for Europe... 7th July 2010 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Update IMF deal a tentative step in the right direction for Ukraine The financial markets’ luke warm endorsement of Ukraine’s new IMF deal is probably justified. While a new IMF programme is good news in theory, in practice its success will depend on whether or not it... 5th July 2010 · 1 min read
Europe Data Response Euro-zone EC Survey (Jun.) June’s small increase in the EC measure of euro-zone economic sentiment is a relief after falls in other surveys lately. But it still points to only a modest recovery in the region as a whole, with... 29th June 2010 · 1 min read
