UK Economics Focus Is private equity good for the economy? By overcoming the shortcomings of the publicly quoted market, private equity is promoting efficiency throughout the economy. Admittedly, private equity’s stellar returns to investors are also driven... 3rd September 2007 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus Employment growth to pick up as profits recover A variety of factors has been put forward to explain the recent weakness of employment growth. But the only one that seems to stand up to scrutiny is the recent squeeze on firms’ profits growth from... 12th July 2007 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Economics Focus Turkey: the end of a golden era? There is a strong possibility that this month’s parliamentary elections in Turkey will return a weaker government. If so, then GDP growth could slow to around 4.5% per annum over the medium-term... 4th July 2007 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus Pricing power - passing or permanent? The rise in firms’ pricing power has climbed to the top of the MPC’s list of inflation worries. We think it reflects the transitory influences of previous cost increases and strong demand, rather than... 13th June 2007 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus Firms better placed than consumers to withstand rate rises Debt servicing costs in the corporate sector are even closer to their early 1990s highs than those in the household sector. But there are a number of reasons why higher interest rates and therefore... 24th May 2007 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Focus What should we expect from the US-China dialogue? The second meeting of the US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue this week will be a test of US Treasury Secretary Paulson’s non-confrontational approach with China. We think he will be hard-pressed... 21st May 2007 · 1 min read
China Economics Focus What should we expect from the US-China dialogue? The second meeting of the US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue this week will be a test of US Treasury Secretary Paulson’s non-confrontational approach with China. We think he will be hard-pressed... 21st May 2007 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Focus Europe's demographic time bomb On the face of it, the impact of demographic change on the euro-zone economy could be pretty disastrous. But with higher immigration flows, an older retirement age, an increase in the employment rate... 11th May 2007 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Focus French election unlikely to end economic malaise There are hopes that the Presidential election will rid France of its tag as the new “sick man of Europe”. But while the leading candidate Nicholas Sarkozy has proposed measures to tackle the problems... 16th April 2007 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus Who will a US slowdown hit hardest? The sectors of the UK economy most at threat from a major economic slowdown in the US include manufacturing, the City of London, tourism and the London housing market. But a US slowdown could be bad... 1st March 2007 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus How far can retailers widen their margins? The recent combination of rising cost pressures and subdued inflation on the high street implies that retailers’ margins have borne the brunt of the rises in energy costs. With a recovery in retail... 20th September 2006 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus How far can retailers widen their margins? The recent combination of rising cost pressures and subdued inflation on the high street implies that retailers’ margins have borne the brunt of the rises in energy costs. With a recovery in retail... 20th September 2006 · 1 min read
Japan Economics Focus Japan after Koizumi The imminent retirement of Prime Minister Koizumi is likely to raise concerns that “reform fatigue” will start to undermine the Japanese economy and markets. In this Focus we assess the risks to... 13th September 2006 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus Is UK plc investing enough? With nominal business investment currently at an historical low as a share of GDP, the corporate sector’s investment in the capital stock and the future health of the economy appears to be woefully... 23rd August 2006 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Focus Italian elections: Prodi probably the lesser of two evils Italian voters are facing a choice between two pre-determined coalitions in the general election on 9th-10th April - the centre-left Union coalition under Romano Prodi, currently leading by 3-5% in... 5th April 2006 · 1 min read
UK Economics Focus Outlook still weak for household goods sales Sales of household goods have suffered particularly badly over the last year, as both the housing market and overall consumer spending have slowed. But there are now tentative signs that the sector... 16th March 2006 · 1 min read
