US Housing Market Data Response Existing Home Sales (May) Existing home sales dropped for the second month in a row in May, as record low levels of inventory have continued to constrain activity. With little chance of an improvement in the supply situation... 20th June 2018 · 1 min read
EM Markets Chart Pack EM equities likely to struggle even if trade worries ease Emerging market (EM) equities have been caught up in the more general sell-off in EM assets in the past month, with the MSCI EM Index dropping by about 3% in local currency terms. Even if recent... 20th June 2018 · 1 min read
Global Economics Update Wage growth generally still subdued Given the strength of their labour markets, wage inflation is likely to pick up a bit in the US, UK and, to a lesser extent, the euro-zone and Japan over the coming quarters. But as Jerome Powell... 20th June 2018 · 1 min read
Energy Data Response US Weekly Petroleum Status Report Inventories of crude oil fell last week due to a jump in exports and higher demand from refineries. However, if China acts on its threat to reduce its purchases of US crude, it will be difficult to... 20th June 2018 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Economics Update What would a rise in OPEC output mean for Saudi? The OPEC meeting scheduled to start on Friday will probably result in a compromise to increase oil output and this could provide a boost to Saudi GDP growth of around 1%-pt. Frictions within the group... 20th June 2018 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Update Market slowdown reaches housebuilders The housing market slowdown has finally caught up with housebuilders – with both transactions and house prices in the newbuild sector feeling the pinch. As a result, we expect the current stagnation... 20th June 2018 · 1 min read
India Economics Update MPC minutes keep door open for further tightening The minutes of the Reserve Bank of India’s June policy meeting – at which interest rates were hiked – are dominated by concerns about upside risks to inflation and the potential for damage to the... 20th June 2018 · 1 min read
Europe Economics Update Greek deal essentially a restatement of old fudges The Eurogroup seems set to agree the payment of Greece’s final loan tranche tomorrow and to offer a cash buffer to help it through the early months after it exits its bailout in August. But mooted... 20th June 2018 · 1 min read
Emerging Europe Data Response Russia Activity Data (May) The strength of May’s Russian activity data, coupled with upwards revisions to the industrial output figures, suggests that GDP growth picked up to more than 2% y/y, compared with the latest estimate... 20th June 2018 · 1 min read
Global Markets Update Will Italian and Spanish equities remain safe havens? Benchmark equity indices in Italy and Spain have outperformed those elsewhere in Europe in the past days. But while the reasons for this may continue, they remain vulnerable to political risks. 20th June 2018 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Philippines: One more hike likely Given the hawkish tone of the central bank’s statement, a further rate increase in the Philippines now looks likely. We originally thought today’s hike would mark the end of the tightening cycle. But... 20th June 2018 · 1 min read
Commodities Watch How will China’s tariffs affect commodity markets? In the last week, there has been a renewed escalation in trade tensions between the US and China. The US has announced that it is pressing ahead with tariffs and China has responded in kind. In... 20th June 2018 · 1 min read
Metals Data Response Global Aluminium Production (May) Global aluminium output ticked up in May, driven by higher production in Asia ex-China and the GCC. We expect growth in output to accelerate over the coming months as higher prices and the prospect of... 20th June 2018 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Bank of Thailand to keep monetary policy supportive The Bank of Thailand (BoT) left its policy rate on hold today and the accompanying statement makes clear that monetary policy will remain accommodative for a while longer yet. With inflation benign... 20th June 2018 · 1 min read
Africa Data Response South Africa CPI (May) South African inflation eased slightly in May, which should reduce speculation that the SARB will hike rates in the coming months. We think that policymakers will keep rates on hold, before cutting in... 20th June 2018 · 1 min read
