Japan Economics Update How reliable is Japan’s Economy Watchers Survey? The jump in the Economy Watchers Survey of business conditions in April provides some of the best evidence yet that the Japanese economy is past the worst. However, while the recent rebound is... 13th May 2009 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Focus Italy: is something moving under the surface? The old adage goes that if you ask ten economists their views on something you get ten different answers. But there is one topic where nearly all economists agreed some years back: the prognosis for... 7th May 2009 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Focus Just how serious is the threat of a euro-zone default? With the euro-zone set to enter its worst recession in the post-war period, concerns about the prospect of a member state defaulting on its debt have rocketed and even prompted speculation of a euro... 23rd April 2009 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Thai instability dragging further on growth Seasoned investors are by now used to unrest in Thailand and markets should take the latest flare up in their stride. But political instability will hold back the economy’s recovery, with the result... 15th April 2009 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Japan's Tankan to signal early recovery? The Bank of Japan’s “Tankan” survey, released next Wednesday (1st April), will doubtless show that business conditions worsened further in the first quarter, but probably not by as much as the markets... 23rd March 2009 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update Japan’s Tankan to signal early recovery? The Bank of Japan’s “Tankan” survey, released next Wednesday (1st April), will doubtless show that business conditions worsened further in the first quarter, but probably not by as much as the markets... 23rd March 2009 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Seven key issues at China's National People's Congress 4th March 2009 · 1 min read
China Economics Update Seven key issues at China’s National People’s Congress China’s annual National People’s Congress (NPC) opens tomorrow with an address from Premier Wen Jiabao and the presentation of the government budget. Here are seven key issues to watch. 4th March 2009 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Lending commitments may not be big enough The next stage of the Government’s support for the banking system got underway today, with the release of further details on the Government’s guarantee of bank losses on toxic assets. However, this... 26th February 2009 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus Drag from stockbuilding to ease A fall in stockbuilding helps to explain why the economy contracted quite so sharply at the end of last year. Stocks are run down most at the start of a recession, suggesting that GDP should not keep... 25th February 2009 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update European Commission talking tough on SGP The European Commission is expected to launch official procedures against France, Spain, Greece and Ireland tomorrow for their breach of the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP). Each country will surely... 17th February 2009 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus The pros and cons of bank nationalisation Speculation is growing that the Government will soon take a majority stake in Lloyds, representing another step towards full nationalisation of large parts of the banking system. Full nationalisation... 16th February 2009 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update A bad bank isn't the answer either Chancellor Alistair Darling told the Treasury Select Committee yesterday that he is keeping open the option of creating a so-called “bad bank”, through which the Government would buy toxic assets from... 4th February 2009 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Even this may not be enough to get banks lending The raft of further measures to support the banks is a significant step. It is clear that the Government has realised that the banking system will not start functioning properly again without more... 19th January 2009 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Christmas not as bad as feared, but still bad Many of the retailers’ trading statements have been coming in at the better end of expectations, suggesting that Christmas on the high street was not quite as bad as feared. But if the latest BRC... 13th January 2009 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Christmas not as bad as feared, but still bad Many of the retailers’ trading statements have been coming in at the better end of expectations, suggesting that Christmas on the high street was not quite as bad as feared. But if the latest BRC... 13th January 2009 · 1 min read
