Julie Nicol

Julie Nicol is the Office Administrator in Singapore, working closely with the London office as well as providing support to the local sales team.

Japan Data Response

Consumer Confidence (Mar.)

The recent volatility in global stock markets has undermined households’ confidence in their personal wealth. But this doesn’t seem to affect their willingness to spend much.

9th April 2018 1 min read

India Economics Update

The economic impact of the monsoon

Early forecasts of “average” levels of rainfall during this year’s monsoon have led to a rush of speculation on the potential economic impact. But the early forecasts are prone to revision and, in any...

9th April 2018 1 min read

Australia & New Zealand Economics Update

Funding spike won’t push up mortgage rates much

The recent rise in banks’ short-term funding costs would probably need to triple before banks could justify raising their mortgage rates by 0.25%, which would be equivalent to a hike in the official...

9th April 2018 1 min read

China Economics Update

How will China respond to additional US tariffs?

If the USTR follows through on Trump’s request to add an additional $100bn worth of Chinese imports to the proposed US tariff list, the Chinese will be reluctant to capitulate and seem likely to...

6th April 2018 1 min read

Europe Data Response

German Industrial Production & French Trade (Feb.)

February’s sharp fall in industrial production confirms that the German economy made a soft start to the year. But the business surveys suggest that this should prove to be temporary.

6th April 2018 1 min read

India Economics Update

Core inflation to remain elevated

Consumer price inflation is likely to have eased in February, due to a further drop in food inflation. But core price pressures are still building. We think this will ultimately prompt the Reserve...

6th April 2018 1 min read

Japan Data Response

Labour Cash Earnings & Household Spending (Feb.)

Base pay rose the most in two decades at the start of the year which indicates that the tight labour market is finally starting to create noticeable cost pressures. Meanwhile, the renewed slump in...

6th April 2018 1 min read

Asia Economics Update

Sri Lanka cuts rates, loosening will be gradual

The central bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) today cut its lending rate by 25bp. While further monetary policy loosening looks likely against a backdrop of weak growth and easing inflation, aggressive rate...

4th April 2018 1 min read

Japan Economics Update

Talking the exit talk

The Bank of Japan has become more vocal about its desire to exit the current ultra-loose policy settings. But with concerns about the impact of low policy rates on financial intermediation overblown...

4th April 2018 1 min read

India Data Response

Manufacturing PMI (Mar.)

India’s manufacturing PMI edged down in March, following the trend across most of Asia. But we doubt this marks the start of a sharp downturn. In fact, over the near term at least, prospects for local...

3rd April 2018 1 min read

Asia Data Response

Manufacturing PMIs (Mar.)

Emerging Asia’s PMIs for March suggest the region’s manufacturing sectors ended last quarter on a softer note. Focussing on the two economies where the PMIs most closely track the hard data, Taiwan’s...

2nd April 2018 1 min read

China Data Response

Caixin Manufacturing PMI (Mar.)

The unofficial PMI declined last month even as the official index rose. This suggests that while the recent easing of pollution controls has led to a rebound in heavy industry, broader economic...

2nd April 2018 1 min read

Japan Data Response

Tankan (Q1)

Today’s Tankan survey suggests that growth slowed last quarter. Nonetheless, staff shortages have continued to intensify and price pressures are strengthening.

2nd April 2018 1 min read

Japan Data Response

Retail Sales (Feb.)

The muted increase in retail sales in February leaves Q1 on track for the sharpest fall since 2014’s sales tax hike. However, the figures haven’t been a great guide to developments in private...

29th March 2018 1 min read

Asia Economics Update

Rates to stay on hold in Thailand

With the economy in good shape and inflationary pressures subdued, the Bank of Thailand unsurprisingly decided to keep its policy rate on hold today at 1.5%. The accompany statement reiterated that...

28th March 2018 1 min read

India Economics Update

Prospects for the rural economy are bright

After taking a significant hit in the aftermath of demonetisation in late 2016, India’s rural economy has regained momentum in recent months. Future prospects for the rural economy look bright, in...

28th March 2018 1 min read