Japan Economics Update Tankan shows Japan’s economy slowing, not collapsing The Bank of Japan’s Tankan survey of business conditions was disappointing but not disastrous. The detail contained some reassuring news with regard to financial conditions and the labour market. 1st September 2008 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus Drop in bank lending to prompt economy to contract in 2009 With banks’ balance sheets under pressure, UK bank lending is set to rise more slowly, if not fall outright. This will have significant adverse effects on the UK economy, which may already be in... 25th August 2008 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Re-emergence of pension fund deficits threatens investment Recent financial market developments have pushed corporate pension funds back into deficit, further constraining the resources available for firms to invest. 30th July 2008 · 1 min read
UK Economics Update Companies running out of cash The further sharp contraction in the amount of cash held on deposit by companies in June is yet another sign that the economic downturn is taking its toll on the corporate sector, suggesting that it... 29th July 2008 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Cautious optimism after Indian coalition wins “trust” vote Today’s narrow confidence vote win, by 275 to 256 votes, gives a much needed boost of political capital to India’s beleaguered Indian National Congress (INC) party. We are cautiously optimistic that... 22nd July 2008 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus A double whammy for retail revenues Retailers face a double-squeeze on revenues over the next few years. Overall consumer spending growth is clearly set to slow sharply. But in addition, the retail sector is set to continue to take a... 8th July 2008 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus A double whammy for retail revenues Retailers face a double-squeeze on revenues over the next few years. Overall consumer spending growth is clearly set to slow sharply. But in addition, the retail sector is set to continue to take a... 8th July 2008 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Tankan shows Japan’s economy slowing, not collapsing June’s Tankan survey confirms that Japanese business conditions are deteriorating, but not as far as most had feared. The economy is in much better shape than at similar stages in previous downturns. 1st July 2008 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update Tankan shows Japan’s economy slowing, not collapsing June’s Tankan survey confirms that Japanese business conditions are deteriorating, but not as far as most had feared. The economy is in much better shape than at similar stages in previous downturns. 1st July 2008 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus How will companies fare this time? The corporate sector is arguably better placed to weather the economic downturn than either the household or public sector. Nonetheless, profits, investment and employment are all likely to fall... 23rd June 2008 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Tankan to remain well above recession territory The Bank of Japan’s quarterly “Tankan” survey for June, due next Tuesday (1st July), will almost certainly report that business conditions have deteriorated. However, there has been some better news... 23rd June 2008 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update Tankan to remain well above recession territory The Bank of Japan’s quarterly “Tankan” survey for June, due next Tuesday (1st July), will almost certainly report that business conditions have deteriorated. However, there has been some better news... 23rd June 2008 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Lisbon Treaty rejection could highlight growing divergences A “no” vote in Thursday’s Irish referendum on the EU’s Treaty of Lisbon would put a spanner in the works of the Treaty’s ratification process. Just as importantly, it may add to concerns that the... 11th June 2008 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Focus Romania: a 21st century manufacturing hub? Romania has the potential to become a regional manufacturing hub, but resistance to reform is likely to prevent it from fulfilling its true potential. Accordingly, a much-needed rebalancing of the... 4th June 2008 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Update Corporate Japan in good shape to weather global slowdown The relative resilience of capital spending in the first quarter survey from the Ministry of Finance supports other evidence that corporate Japan is in much better shape than at similar stages in... 4th June 2008 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Is India turning its back on liberalisation? A surge in populist policies and government interventions has sparked concerns that Asia’s third largest economy is turning its back on liberalisation. The moves follow on from the failure of the... 21st May 2008 · 1 min read
